LTC 355-2017 Illegal (Rogue) Bike SharingMIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 355-2017
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and MembersGof the City ommission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: July 7, 2017
SUBJECT: ILLEGAL (ROGUE) BIKE SHARI
The purpose of this LTC (Letter to Commission) is to provide an update regarding rogue
bikesharing, an illegal activity, as Citibike (a.k.a. Deco Bike) is the City's duly authorized
exclusive bike sharing provider.
As you may recall, on May 17, 2017, the City Commission approved Item No. C4, a referral to
the Neighborhoods and Community Affiars Committee (NCAC) regarding concerns related to
potential rogue bike sharing programs. A verbal report was provided by Saul Frances, Parking
Director to the NCAC at their meeting on May 19, 2017, outlining the City's plan to address this
illegal activity. This plan was subsequently finalized as follows:
• Code Enforcement shall issue violations accordingly, including violations for operating a
business without a BTR (Business Tax Receipt) and ROW (right-of-way) violations in
the amount of $1,000 per violation. Additonally, an official written notice is sent certified
mail/return receipt to the place of business of the violator giving notice of the prohibition
of abandoning property on the ROW as well as related violations.
• Public Works shall impound bicycles deemed abandoned on the ROW and shall assess
a fee for the any and all expenses incurred by the City associated with the
impoundment, processing, and storage of said bicycles. Impounded bicycles shall not
be released to their rightful owner until all monies due to the City are paid in full.
• Police shall be the custodian of said bicycles and shall process, release or dispose of
said bicycles, accordingly.
On July 5, 2017, the City received a report from Citibike of a potential rogue bike sharing
operation taking place on Michigan Avenue near Lincoln Road. "Limebike" was identified as an
unauthorized bike sharing operation. The aforementioned enforcement protocol was initiated,
including issuance of two (2) code violations and notification procedure.
The aforementioned departments will be vigilant for any further violations by this or other
unauthorized bike sharing operators. If you should have any other questions, please contact
Saul Frances, Parking Director via email at saulfrancesmiamibeachfl.gov or at extension
6483.
c: Kathie Brooks, Assistant City Manager
Mark Taxis, Assistant City Manager
Susanne Torriente, Assistant City Manager
Marcia Monserrat, Chief of Staff/City Manager's Office
Dan Oates, Police Chief
Eric Carpenter, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director
Hernan Cardeno, Code Compliance Director
Saul Frances, Parking Director
JLM/KGB/SF
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