Sounds like DecoBike could have a fight on its hands.
Some Pacific Beach business owners and residents are up in arms as the Miami-based company, which has entered into a partnership with the city of San Diego to provide public bike sharing at 180 separate stations citywide, has installed stations along the PB boardwalk.
“The Pacific Beach Planning Group (PBPG) voted unanimously to adamantly protest the proposed location of DecoBike’s stations on the public boardwalk in Pacific Beach,” said advisory group chair Brian Curry in a letter sent to Councilmember Lori Zapf and Mayor Kevin Faulconer earlier this year. “Our understanding is DecoBike intends to proceed with installation in the near-term, despite opposition from representatives of the PBPG, Discover PB, PB Town Council, bike shop operators and the public.”
Two of the bike rental stands are on the beach side of the boardwalk – one near the lifeguard station at Grand Avenue and the another just a bit north of that location near Crystal Pier. “(Deco Bike installed) large bike docking stations along the PB Boardwalk, right on the ocean front viewing locations,” said Chris Olson, longtime PBPG planner and community activist. “These locations are often used by people in wheelchairs to sit and view the ocean.”
Discover Pacific Beach, the community’s Business Improvement District (BID), concurred with other community groups in protesting the three boardwalk sites.
“Discover Pacific Beach is supportive of this concept (bikesharing) … (But) our organization along with the others approved a ‘well vetted’ list of bike share locations to achieve a successful partnership … there was adamant objection to two of these locations, not just because of ‘obstructed view,’ but based on the impact to the businesses and, more importantly, the safety and integrity of the boardwalk which belongs to all San Diegans and visitors alike. … This is blatant disregard for concerns that were expressed by representation of the business community, residential community and land-use advisory board.”
In response, Deco Bike released the following statement:
“DecoBike is committed to enhancing the quality of urban life by providing a convenient, easy-to-use bike sharing program that will provide residents and visitors a healthy, fun alternative way to ride around the city. A significant aspect of the bike sharing implementation is the placement of a network of docking stations providing a ‘stop and go’ model different from traditional bike shops that allows users to dock bikes at any station, during any given time, which provides flexibility and safety.
“In order to incorporate bike sharing into the region’s transportation plan as a viable alternative transportation option, DecoBike is moving forward with the installation of the sites,” continued the bike share company in its public response. “Bike share in Pacific Beach is a key connector to other parts of the city’s network. The input of the community has resulted in fewer locations and smaller stations than what was originally requested.”
DecoBike touted the benefits of their new interlocking system to the region’s economy.
“A bike share system leads riders to spend additional dollars at local retailers, lessens the reliance on automobiles and parking, and improves community livability,” said DecoBike, which added the company “looks forward to having a continued dialog with the community of Pacific Beach.”
In PBPG’s letter to the city protesting the boardwalk bikeshare locations, Curry noted that the coastal community has “multiple bike shop operators and merchants directly on the boardwalk or in close proximity. None of these other private bike shop operators are allowed to occupy public space as is proposed for DecoBike. Further, DecoBike did not address our request to move one location, which is located directly across the street from a bike shop, and adjacent to another bike shop, in the very shopping center in which it is located.”
Curry added, “DecoBikes also ignored our request to place stations in North Pacific Beach, primarily at Mission Boulevard and Turquoise Street, which would help connect the community.”
DecoBikes and the city are now ignoring the original intent to work together and identify acceptable station locations. We will continue our strong opposition to the boardwalk locations,” Curry said.
The community planner also issued a warning.
“Given the actions on part of DecoBike and the city, we may also oppose any DecoBike’s locations in our community. If stations are installed, we will encourage a comprehensive boycott of any and all DecoBikes in Pacific Beach and other City of San Diego neighborhoods.”