A three-year e-bike ridesharing pilot program is expected to launch in Sarnia this summer.
Cory Tukeli of Current Inc. proposed the public-private partnership during a city council meeting on April 29, asking members to support the pilot project and designate nine areas to be used as parking locations.
"We'd probably start with 25 e-bikes," he said. "We are prepared to create signage in all designated parking areas, educating riders of not just how to utilize the e-bike but to e-bike riding etiquette, which we believe is essential to creating a safe riding experience for all who share our roads, pathways, and trails."
The list of pick-up/drop-off locations includes Howard-Watson Trail, Blackwell Trails Park, Germain Park, Canatara Park/Beach, Mike Weir Park, Centennial Park, Rainbow Park, Tecumseh Park, and Kenwick Park.
"As long as the vehicle -- or the e-bike is returned to any one of those assigned parking locations, then that's fine. They're free really to go throughout the city," he said.
Those who park an e-bike in a non-designated area could face a fee in order to return it to the approved location.
Tukeli said the bike could be free-standing and parked either on a designated grassy area or in a vehicular parking space, as one parking space could fit five e-bikes.
QR codes will be used to unlock the bikes through an app. Tukeli said with remote management they'll also be able to restrict areas near geofencing, monitor battery levels, and keep track of where the bikes are.
"When we're talking about monitoring, we're talking about something that we call trip data. That could be something from identifying rider profile, to identifying peak hours of demand, in-demand routes, as well as attractions," said Tukeli. "So this information can be shared with the city, as well as Tourism Sarnia-Lambton. We can figure out who's riding these things, where, and for how long."
Rental options would include one trip (30 minutes), a day pass (six trips or three hours), a three-day pass (six trips or three hours per day), and a monthly pass (six trips or three hours per day).
The project is expected to launch in June or July as the manufacturer, OKAI, requires about 30 days to deliver the first fleet of e-bikes.
Tukeli said since the project is seasonal, they need time to gauge demand, which is why the pilot was proposed for two to three years instead of the usual one year.
"We really need that time to identify and potentially forecast increased vehicles or maybe other particular locations of interest," he said.
Aside from the environmental and health benefits, Tukeli noted there's an opportunity for people to explore local attractions and visit businesses. For example, if a parking location is placed near a coffee shop, he said riders may be encouraged to stop in.
While the presentation received a positive response, a few councillors questioned whether it was fair to allocate parking spaces for the e-bikes without a fee.
"I do think that in terms of our investment -- and that's what it is as a community -- by providing this space, if it's rent-free, it's rent-free. I think the data and the learning and the potential revenue opportunity post the three-year pilot is significant enough that it warrants us to allow this to play out ... as presented," said City/County Councillor Brian White. "At the end of the three years, we take all of our learnings and if Mr. Tukeli's company is the best choice at that time during an RFP, then certainly he would have had the opportunity to prove himself. If it's at the stage where a second operator is beneficial to the city and we're able to generate revenue through both -- or however that plays out, then I think our investment will be well paid back in dividends."
Councillor Terry Burrell added an amendment for staff to report back to council as the pilot project progresses.
The pilot, along with Burrell's amendment, was unanimously approved by council.
In early April, council agreed to permanently allow the use of e-bikes on trails and pathways within the city after a one-year pilot project was conducted.
Tukeli's presentation (with slides) can be viewed on the city's website.