In just over two years, Sacramentans and visitors have embraced shared-rideables — including e-bikes and e-scooters — as a new form of transportation, and the data backs it up.
Sacramento residents and visitors since June 2019 have traveled more than 2.3 million miles and made more than 1.6 million trips, traveling on average 1.4 miles, according to data from the City’s digital data tool , known as the “Shared-Rideables Story Map.”
Most trips are taken in downtown, Midtown and Old Sacramento, according to the data tool, which also illustrates where shared-rideables are used in “opportunity areas” — neighborhoods identified by the City as regional environmental justice areas. Operators are required to deploy at least 20 percent of their active devices in these neighborhoods across the City each morning.
The “Shared-Rideables Story Map” was created by the City’s transportation planning and IT teams. It is used to collect and analyze anonymous data to better plan, understand bikeway needs, respond to community concerns and ensure operators comply with permit requirements.
“Shared-rideables have great potential to transform how we move around Sacramento,” said Transportation Planning Manager Jennifer Donlon Wyant. “Because they are new to our city, we are learning so much as we manage the framework in which these private companies operate.”
Riders also are learning rules and best practices for the devices, Donlon Wyant said.
It is illegal to use a shared scooter on a sidewalk, for example. Also, riders are expected to park a shared bike or scooter on a bike rack or designated drop zone. Companies are required to retrieve their devices within two hours of being notified of improper parking.
Overall, the data tool helps the City combat these challenges by identifying where people are riding and parking the devices. That enables the transportation planning team to better identify locations for needed infrastructure, such as bike lanes and parking locations.
“We even use the device data combined with 311 reports to identify hot spots of parking issues and then work to find solutions,” Donlon Wyant said. “This data is rich and interesting and will continue to help us make the shared-rideable experience the best it can be for Sacramentans.”
Residents interested in requesting a bike rack for a specific area, reviewing the rules of the road or accessing frequently asked questions can do so on the City’s shared-rideables page.