Just three months after the initiation of the Bike Stockton project, Shared Mobility, the nonprofit organization behind the initiative, reported theft and vandalism of its electric bikes.Although the exact number of stolen bikes has not been disclosed, the organization confirms the occurrence of these incidents since the launch of the service in April. The bike-sharing program started with an initial fleet of 105 e-bikes.
"We knew we'd be working out glitches along the way, as this is a pilot project," Shared Mobility stated. They assure that they are exploring ways to mitigate these issues while maintaining the quality of service expected by the users. They also announced plans for swift changes to ensure a sustainable program and a better user experience, including new locations for Bike Stockton e-bikes.
The Bike Stockton program, similar to those in other cities like Sacramento, operates through an app, enabling users to rent a pedal-assist bike for up to six hours within city limits. The bikes remain locked when not in use and are collected by crew members for charging or are reactivated using the Bike Stockton app.
The bikes can be picked up from four designated racks in downtown and midtown Stockton and can be returned anywhere within the coverage zone of the bike-share program.
Funded by a state grant awarded to the San Joaquin Council of Governments, the program aims to increase access to transportation in disadvantaged and low-income communities. Since its inception on April 1, Shared Mobility reports hundreds of users have ridden a total of 1,400 miles.
The organization remains positive despite the challenges, noting, "Consumer demand remains strong and we regularly hear from users excited to learn what’s next for Bike Stockton."
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