Micromobility

After pulling shared e-scooters from Miami streets, the city commission decided during a special meeting to continue the pilot program through early next year, this time with more oversight and regulations.

A new report by StreetLight Data shows the shifting trends in biking travel across major metro areas. In some cities, biking activity has surged about 50 percent, while others have seen declines for one reason or another.

Even smaller transit systems like Valley Regional Transit in Boise, Idaho, are turning to account-based fare payment systems in a push to modernize the transit experience and integrate it with other mobility options.

The Privacy Principles for Mobility Data include seven guiding ideas for the public and private sectors as micromobility options like bikes and scooters become more ubiquitous across U.S. cities.

Plus, facial recognition helps nab a criminal after 15 years on the run, NASA tests 3D printing with moon dust at the International Space Station and Periscope Holdings is acquired for more than $200 million.

Salem, Mass., officials are considering whether to allow electric bikes, noting that a state law forbidding the vehicles was written for license-requiring mopeds years ago rather than the new bikes with small motors.

Pittsburgh has proposed an ordinance to change the city’s traffic rules for those who opt to utilize electric scooters. The rules include an age limit for riding as well as parking restrictions.

The Mobility Data Collaborative, in partnership with the Future of Privacy Forum, has created an assessment tool to help cities and other organizations protect the data collected within the transportation sector.

Pay-by-the-minute electric and hybrid car-share operations are becoming a regular part of the transportation mix in large cities as they seek to expand mobility options and reduce the need for car ownership.

Electric scooters will remain an option for residents of Tuscon, Ariz., after the success of a pilot program. As part of this decision, the city will test out new technology that can detect whether a scooter is on a sidewalk.

A traffic signal upgrade project in San Diego will involve 26 intersections around the University of California, San Diego. The project will use adaptive software to improve mobility throughout the region.

Officials are using funding from the state's Clean Mobility Options Voucher pilot program to launch electric bikeshare hubs around the city. The bikes are a preferred means of travel among residents.

A proposal by on-demand scooter company Bird faced hesitation from city leaders. Some voiced safety concerns about the vehicles being used on the stretch of U.S. Highway 30 that runs through the city.

Researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio want to evaluate whether electric scooters can effectively collect data on everything from weather to traffic. The tech needed for the research is in development.

Earlier this week, city council members in Waterloo, Iowa, changed a number of local ordinances so that residents can start renting e-scooters from California-based company Bird. The scooters will arrive next week.

City leaders in Davenport, Iowa, have voiced concerns about the introduction of Bird electric scooters to the downtown area. One concern is that the devices could pose a danger in bike lanes.

If passed, the new ordinance would regulate electric bicycles and motor-assisted scooters that are rented for a fee, and not affect use of personal e-bikes or scooters or other vehicles like golf carts, mopeds or motorcycles.

The city of Boulder established new regulations for micomobility devices, outlining where they are allowed to be located and where they can legally go. In January 2020, officials considered banning some services from the city.