Courtesy of Mobike USA
A Mobike bicycle at The Wharf in Washington, DC. Mobike pulled its program from the DC area earlier this year, but Lime and other companies still operate pilot programs.
City of Alexandria officials are considering allowing dockless bikes and scooters in Alexandria.
The City of Alexandria will host an open house and demonstration of dockless mobility devices from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Judy Lowe Neighborhood Park in Del Ray.
"The open house will give participants the opportunity to take demonstration rides on new dockless mobility devices in the region, speak with representatives from the rental companies, and provide input to City staff on a potential pilot program to manage the entry of such devices into the Alexandria market," according to City officials.
The City is also asking for input from residents through an online survey.
City staff members will take feedback from residents and prepare a recommendation for consideration by the City Council later this fall.
Similar pilot programs have been ongoing in the District of Columbia, Montgomery County, and Arlington County.
Right now, dockless bikes and scooters are allowed to be left on public property in Alexandria by rental companies or customers — but that hasn't prevented them from showing up, as riders pick up dockless bikes in other jurisdictions and ride them to Alexandria.
In June, a resident in Del Ray posted a note to a neighborhood listserv asking what to do about a dockless bike that showed up on his property and was left there for several days. His post led to an online debate about whether allowing these into Alexandria would be good or bad for residents and property owners.
** Read more here: Dockless Bikes Show Up in Alexandria **
Private dockless bikeshare and scooter companies let riders pick up and drop off bikes just about anywhere they find one by unlocking the wheels with a mobile app linked to a payment source. There are no designated locations for pick-up and drop-off, typically, only guidelines on being polite and safe with where the rider ditches a bike or scooter.
To learn more about dockless mobility or the potential pilot program, or to complete the online survey, visit the City’s Dockless Mobility page.
