Bike share is a service in which bicycles are made available for people to share for short trips.Traditional bike share systems allow people to access bikes from, and return them to, docks located across the region. People can unlock the bicycles from docks using prepaid passes or smart phone apps.

Dockless bike share systems allow people to start and finish their bike trips at a wider range of locations and Unlike previous programs, dockless bike share does not require the City to make costly investments in docking infrastructure. Instead, locking and navigational technology is integrated into the bikes, which are located and rented out using a smartphone app or pin pad.

The City of Mountain View launched a dockless bike share pilot program in May 2018 to encourage people to use bicycles and to support the goals of embracing sustainable living, providing new options for first- and last-mile trips, and encouraging a healthy economy while minimizing traffic and parking congestion.

Two operators participated in the pilot. While the program is still open to new applicants, the original operators have both withdrawn their fleet from Mountain View and surrounding areas due to a shift in their business priorities or conditions.

During the pilot period, the City evaluated the performance of the program in order to assess the effectiveness of the program and improve permitting requirements. The program evaluation was presented to City Council on October 29, 2019. City Council unanimously supported continuation of the pilot program.

The City established requirements for the bike share pilot program that require users to park neatly in the paved portion of the furniture zone and keep the sidewalk and area around intersections clear for pedestrians and people with wheelchairs and strollers. General parking regulations for all users of bicycles, e-bicycles and transportation devices in Mountain View are outlined in Mountain View City Code (MVCC Section 19.57).

Specific bike share program requirements include the following:

• A maximum citywide fleet of 800 bicycles (400 per provider)
• Parking only in the furniture zone (see diagram below) of the public right-of-way so as not to interfere with pedestrian travel and universal access
• Restricted and geofenced parking areas along Castro Street, San Antonio Road and the Transit Center (such as near the flag pole at Centennial Plaza)
• 24-hour customer service lines for anyone to report issues or concerns
• Response times of 2 hours (6:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. Monday – Friday), or 10 hours after hours
• Data sharing requirements to help City staff evaluate the program

Under the bike share pilot program, the private bike share operators are required to monitor parking activity, keep bikes in working order, and promptly move bikes (or incentivize users to do so) if they are in the wrong place. Bike share restricted and designated parking areas are illustrated below.

See Permits and Licenses for terms and conditions.

Bike share pricing is set by the participating bike share companies and is not determined by the City of Mountain View. This section will be updated when any new operator is added to the program.

On August 25, 2020, a moratorium on scooter share operations was established until designated parking areas are identified and the pilot is finalized and approved by Council.

On October 29, 2019, City Council directed staff to initiate a scooter share pilot program in Mountain View. Staff are now working to develop scooter share pilot program requirements including fleet minimums and maximums, robust user education, drivers license and minimum age requirements, designated parking areas throughout the City, and program fees.

Comments and questions can be submitted via AskMV using the topic heading Streets --> Bicycles and Pedestrians, or contact Public Works at publicworks@mountainview.gov or (650) 903-6311.

We look forward to this opportunity to improve options for convenient bike access and sustainable living in Mountain View.