A pilot program for dockless, shared mobility devices to be used in Santa Monica was approved by city leaders, it was announced Wednesday.
The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday unanimously approved the 16-month program, which includes the use of electric scooters and bicycles to expand mobility options on city streets and sidewalks, according to a city statement.
Among the goals of the Shared Mobility Pilot Program are improved access to mobility options for residents, employees and visitors to Santa Monica, ensuring the safety and public access by reducing sideway, pathway and ADA blockages and creating new options that meet the diverse use cases in support of a new model of mobility, city officials said.
“There’s no denying the popularity and ease of shared mobility devices that can help Santa Monica reach its goal of being a multi-modal city,” said Mayor Ted Winterer. ”Yet we must balance that with a serious need to hold companies accountable to ensure responsible behavior on our streets and sidewalks. This pilot approach will allow us to understand usage and operations in order to create a long-term program that establishes a safe, equitable and sustainable mobility option in Santa Monica.”
The pilot kicks off Sept. 17.