DDOT Releases Proposed Regulations For Dockless Bikes

• October 29, 2018

by Nena Perry-Brown

Over a year ago, dockless bicycles debuted in DC, welcoming in a handful of companies whose ubiquitous bikes drew the ire of many residents while offering an alternative to Capital Bikeshare. Now, with the conclusion of the pilot phase of the program several weeks away, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has released proposed regulations for dockless bikes.

The regulations will require each dockless bicycle to have a unique identifier and a lock to secure it to something when not in use; the latter requirement was enacted at the end of August and has thinned the herd of available bikes. Dockless bikeshare companies will also be required to share their data with DDOT and deploy a minimum number of bicycles in each ward.

Once approved, the regulatory framework will enable DDOT to begin issuing permits to and charging dockless bikeshare companies next year. No fees were collected during the pilot. “These proposed regulations are an important first step in our long-term plan to manage the future of the dockless program,” DDOT Director Jeff Marootian said in a statement. 

Five dockless bikeshare companies and one dockless scooter company were operating in the city at the height of the pilot. The rules were published in the DC Register on October 26th and will be available for public comment through November 26th.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/ddot-releases-proposed-dockless-bike-regulations/14625