Active Transportation Commission Meeting - September 19, 2018

The Active Transportation Commission met on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. in open session. The meeting included consent calendar approval, a transportation funding overview, a motion to support U.S. Bike Route 50, an update on the JUMP bike share program, and a discussion on proposed revisions to shared rideable regulations. Commissioners also provided input on future agenda priorities.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Approved meeting minutes of August 23, 2018. Motion by Commissioner Carpenter, seconded, passed unanimously.
• Item 2: Received and filed the Active Transportation Commission Log. Commissioners discussed prioritization of items; staff indicated they would align topics with staff availability and grant schedules.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Brown (Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates) expressed support for the direction of the proposed shared rideable regulations, emphasized the need for on-street infrastructure for bikes and e-scooters, and urged creative parking solutions to avoid conflicts at bike racks.
• Kieran Kumar (Walk Sacramento) endorsed the regulatory revisions, stressed no sidewalk riding (state law), recommended alternative enforcement mechanisms (e.g., parking enforcement), and called for equity outreach to ADA and aging communities.
• Russell Rawlings (Resources for Independent Living) offered the organization as a resource for the commission on accessibility issues.
• Dan Allison (submitted comment) opposed requiring scooter vendors to provide bicycle parking, advocated for painted on-street corrals (like Seattle), and argued that loss of auto parking revenue should not be penalized as mode shift is a positive benefit.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – Transportation Funding Overview: Lucinda Wilcox (Public Works) presented the city’s transportation funding sources, including gas tax, Measure A sales tax, and new SB1 funds. She noted a $179 million deferred pavement maintenance backlog, a PCI of 66 (fair), and that 80% of capital projects come from development fees. Prop 6 would result in an $8–9 million annual loss for preventative maintenance. Commissioners asked about neighborhood prioritization, general fund support, and comparisons to similar cities; staff agreed to investigate funding differences.
• Item 4 – U.S. Bike Route 50: Drew Hart (Public Works) described the proposed designation of existing routes. The route through Sacramento uses the American River Parkway, Sacramento River Parkway, and 2nd Street to the Tower Bridge. All but five jurisdictions along the route have indicated support. The commission voted to forward a recommendation to the Public Works Director for a letter of support. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 5 – JUMP Bike Share Update: Alex Hagelin (Uber/JUMP) reported 80% month-over-month trip growth, over 350,000 miles traveled, and parking complaints at only 0.3% of trips. JUMP is building to 900 bikes by end of October, has installed over 600 bike parking racks in Sacramento, and is developing an equity plan (Boost membership at $5/year). Commissioners discussed service area expansion, education on riding etiquette, and community partnerships. Staff noted that complaints should be reported via 311.
• Item 6 – Proposed Revisions to Shared Rideable Regulation: Jennifer Donlon Wyant (Public Works) presented a draft revision including a parking fee ($355/device), monitoring fee ($156/device/year), and meter revenue loss fee. Staff recommended the city install parking rather than vendors, require equity plans, and not limit vendor numbers. Commissioners discussed sidewalk riding enforcement (state law prohibits e-scooters on sidewalks), equity outreach, and the need for infrastructure funding. Public comment supported the direction and urged creative parking solutions.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved.
• U.S. Bike Route 50: Motion passed to recommend a letter of support from the Public Works Director.
• Shared Rideable Regulations: Staff will continue public outreach (including to Disability Advisory Commission), refine the code, and aim for Law and Legislation Committee review in November 2018 and City Council action in January 2019.
• Commission Priorities: Commissioner Coffer requested elevating items on Vision Zero, equity in investment, police bait bike program, and jaywalking citations for future meetings. City attorney noted that adding standing items would require charter amendments but that items can be requested for future agendas by contacting staff.