Dockless bicycle systems promise great benefits for municipalities, but can also create challenges, particularly where bicycles may be parked once a trip has ended.

Town staff began to notice these bikes appearing in Highland Park this past summer.  Unfortunately, the number of unattended bikes increased over the summer.  In response, staff began collecting bikes for holding at the Town's Service Center.  The number of orphaned bikes in Highland Park has seemingly decreased since late October.

A few of the main concerns identified with the appearance of dockless bicycles include:

• Street clutter and sidewalk obstructions to pedestrians, especially blind and partially-sighted individuals
• High concentrations in certain areas, such as parks
• Parking or abandonment of bikes on private property

VBikes has an exclusive multi-year agreement with Southern Methodist University.  This contract is  the likely cause that more of their bikes are found in and around Highland Park, than bikes belonging to the other companies.

While the number of bikes being held increased, the Town received a slow response to notifications sent to the dockless bicycle companies asking them to retrieve their bikes, which range in price between $200 and $400 each.  The Town has received complaints from residents regarding the bicycles creating street clutter, sidewalk obstructions, and being left in residential front yard areas.  The Town Services staff is on the look-out for these orphaned bikes.  In addition, staff responds immediately to locations where abandoned bikes are reported by residents. 

In late October, the Town's staff met with LimeBike, Spin, and VBikes to request their voluntary cooperation to collect their respective bicycles each day.  In recent weeks, staff has explained to ofo USA the impact of their operations in the Town.  It was explained to each of the companies that the Town has no interest in contracting or initiating a permitting program for dockless cycling.  More particularly, it was stressed to each that they immediately initiate efforts to remove orphaned bikes daily.

It has been explained that the typical dockless bicycle business plan provides a person using an App to locate and rent a bicycle; the App unlocks the bike using Bluetooth technology; and the person may end their journey whenever they wish.  The bike is equipped with a locking device that automatically locks when the rider leaves following the rental.  Prices are generally $1.00 per hour of usage.  The business plans are touted as an efficient and fun way to improve accessibility to rentable bikes, compared to another approach that requires the rider to collect and return the bicycle to a specific location.

Enforcement options for control and removal may include:

• The imposition of fines based on an:
  • Operation of a business in Town parks
  • Expansion of the Town's impoundment ordinance to include bicycles
  • Assessment of discarded bicycles as waste
  • Issuance of citations for bikes blocking pedestrian pathways, a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act

Reliance on the Town's vehicle impoundment regulations seems limited, given a state law that defers the removal for at least 24 hours.  This restriction creates concern to effectively and promptly remove orphaned bikes from sidewalks and parks.  The Town Attorney prepared an ordinance providing for the immediate removal of unattended bicycles.  In addition, the ordinance provides fines and penalties.