FYI Miami: March 12, 2020

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COMMUNICATION KIOSKS: A first reading is set today (3/12) to establish a communication kiosk program in the city of Miami. The kiosks would be installed in public rights-of-way or city-owned land and display emergency, transit and special event information as well as ads. The legislation stipulates the kiosks will generate revenue for the city as well as provide free wi-fi, resilience components, security features such as panic buttons, and other public services. Also on the agenda is a resolution to allow the city manager to negotiate with Ike Smart City LLC, a company that provides such services. 

SCOOTERS AFTER PILOT: As the fate of scooters in the City of Miami seems closer to being determined, legislation sponsored by Ken Russell on the agenda today (3/12) would create a legal framework for scooters once the solicitation process ends. The proposed ordinance would charge scooter vendors a $100,000 operator’s license fee, reflecting a request by Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla last month. The solicitation would cut the number of scooter vendors in the city from nine to four and limit the scooter count to 2,499, split evenly among selected vendors. The city currently allows nearly 4,000 scooters. The scooter pilot is currently set to run through April 15.

SCOOTERS LOVE SOCCER: While Major League Soccer team Inter Miami has yet to reveal a jersey sponsorship agreement, Miami FC, the local team playing in the United Soccer League Championship, has reached one with Helbiz, a scooter vendor operating in the City of Miami’s District 2, which includes Morningside, Edgewater, downtown Miami, Brickell and Coconut Grove. According to a press release on the USL website, “As part of this partnership, unlock fees will be waived for all users around Miami on March 13, Miami FC’s first home game.” 

BIKES ALIKE: Electric bicycles in Florida would be regulated like pedal-powered bicycles instead of motorized vehicles, under a proposal on the Senate floor. The Senate Rules Committee approved the proposal, which sponsor Jeff Brandes said is intended to increase mobility. A Senate staff analysis said that, under the proposal, “E-bikes are authorized to operate where bicycles are allowed, including, but not limited to, streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, and bicycle or multiuse paths.” The proposal said e-bike operators would not be subject to state laws regarding insurance, drivers licenses, vehicle registration or title certificates. A similar measure has reached the House floor.