SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A new addition was added to the streets of downtown Sioux Falls this past weekend when a local company launched its rental e-bike company, Jaunt. City councilors say some downtown shoppers aren’t happy with where the bikes will be parked.
As of Saturday, there are 50 e-bikes in the downtown area and over 30 designated parking zones, Jaunt Co-owner Samantha O’Neil told KELOLAND News. Rides cost $10 an hour or $30 for 10 hours.
“The Downtown Sioux Falls Coalition has welcomed us,” O’Neil said. “So, all the businesses in downtown Sioux Falls are available (for parking) as far as the hotels and stuff like that, any bike racks that are near are available.”
O’Neil said the company has been in the process of getting the rental service up and running in Sioux Falls for over a year. They hope to work with businesses to use the existing bike racks or let Jaunt set up their own.
“We worked with the city to get an understanding of how we can use the public bike racks and not try to monopolize them all so that other riders are able to still find a spot to park,” she said. “We’re not just flooding every bike rack in sight, but we are looking to work with businesses.”
During an unrelated city briefing Tuesday morning, council members spoke about the e-bikes and concerns they’ve heard from the public. Vice Chair Rich Merkouris said councilors are talking with city attorneys to clarify any ordinances about where people can park the bikes.
“I think we have to get clarity about where bikes are left,” he said during the meeting. “For example, we can’t be blocking the public right of way in different sidewalk places, so there seems to be some confusion and we have to get clarity out to the public. We’ve heard over the weekend from multiple people their frustrations.”
Merkouris said Jaunt wasn’t required to go before the city council for approval. He also said the city is looking into the current ordinances and could potentially create new ordinances to accommodate Jaunt’s business model.
“I think the question is, ‘Do we have the ground rules in place for this type of business to operate in a manner that’s healthy for the whole public?’ … If we don’t do this right, it hurts future opportunities as well,” Merkouris said.
According to O’Neil, the bikes are a Class 1 pedal assist electric bicycle that go up to 20 mph and have a 14 year age restriction. They can be driven anywhere within city limits, but must be parked at the designated parking zones, which are only downtown at this time. The e-bikes are not allowed on the sidewalks, but can be taken on the bike trails.
O’Neil said they hope to eventually expand to Lake Lorraine, Dawley Farms and around the Empire Mall.
“I just encourage people to get out there and give it a try if they’ve never tried to e-bike before or maybe if they haven’t been biking for a while just because of physical limitations. It’s a good option for people that need a little help and wanna get out on that trail for the fall,” O’Neil said.
