Shorewood committee directs staff to draft e-scooter pilot and study bike-share options

The Village of Shorewood's Strategic Initiatives/Committee discussed reintroducing docked bikeshare and permitting e-scooters on village streets and directed staff to draft parameters for a pilot e-scooter program and possible regulations.

The committee heard several members express support for micromobility options and asked staff to return with a recommended pilot program and regulatory framework. "I personally would like to move forward with the scooters," Trustee Ersing said during the discussion, adding that scooters could generate revenue and improve local visibility for businesses. Committee members agreed the next step should be development of program parameters and regulations, with the bike-ped plan recommending the parks and public spaces committee review the proposals before final board action.

Why it matters: Committee members said adding micromobility options could increase access to Shorewood businesses and connect the village to Milwaukee's existing bikeshare network; at the same time they raised costs and operational concerns about a docked bikeshare system.

Discussion details and concerns Committee members debated two models: a docked bikeshare system (referred to in the meeting as "Bubbler," the Milwaukee system) and dockless e-scooters. Supporters said ebikes and scooters provide travel options for short trips, including for students traveling from UWM or the East Side. One committee member said, "I like the idea of giving people more options to get around... I would use Bubbler all the time when I worked downtown."

Resident commenter Sandy Pendleton urged caution on taxpayer subsidies for a docked system, citing capital and operating figures discussed at the meeting: "If we're looking at a $200,000 capital investment... and if we're looking at $20,000 in the range of $20,000 per year for operating cost, we need to pause before we use taxpayer dollars to make that capital investment." Pendleton also noted newer dock designs using solar power and smaller footprints.

Staff and committee direction Village Manager Bart Ewald said staff could develop program language and present a recommendation. At least two committee members asked that staff work with the parks and public spaces committee or return directly to the full committee with a draft. Trustee Ersing summarized the group's direction: staff should "develop the parameters for a pilot program, and possible regulations related to e-scooters." The committee indicated a preference to proceed with e-scooters first and revisit docked bikeshare later if suitable partnerships or funding arise.

No formal ordinance or contract was adopted at the meeting. Committee members repeatedly emphasized the need to review costs and to seek private partnerships or sponsorships if a docked bikeshare system is pursued.

What comes next Staff will prepare draft pilot parameters and potential regulatory language for committee review, with additional public input to come when the draft returns to committee.