Subcommittee approves Parkwide Activities LLC master bicycle rental lease after amendment to preserve Board authority

The subcommittee voted to forward a resolution authorizing the Recreation and Park Department to enter into a master bicycle rental lease with Parkwide Activities LLC, a joint venture of Bay City Bike, Bike and Roll, and Blazing Saddles. The concession covers multiple locations including Golden Gate Park (adjacent to the Music Concourse), a weekend kiosk along JFK at 10th Avenue, Justin Herman Plaza, Marina Green and Union Square.

Nick Kinsey, Assistant Director of Property and Concessions Management for Recreation and Parks, described the lease as a five‑year agreement with one potential three‑year extension. He said the minimum annual base rent in year one is $127,400, escalating by the greater of CPI or 5% each year, with percentage‑of‑gross tiers tied to receipts: 13.5% on gross receipts under $1.5 million, 15% for receipts between $1.5 million and $2 million, and 17% above $2 million. Kinsey also noted a $20,000 security deposit and projected departmental revenue growth, with a projected year‑5 revenue of roughly $345,000.

Public commenters supported the concession but split on risk. Linda Magellan, Executive Director of the Union Square Business Improvement District, said Union Square’s heavy pedestrian traffic, tour buses and concurrent central‑subway construction raise safety concerns and asked the committee to remove a nine‑month trigger point for revoking the Union Square location if serious safety problems arise. "We in no way are critical about the Parkwide Activities group," she said, but urged stronger safety safeguards. Neil Patel of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and Susan King of Sunday Streets both urged approval, praised the vendors’ experience, and offered coordination on education and safety measures.

Kinsey and department staff told the committee they had worked with the concessionaire and with MTA and the Bicycle Coalition to develop routing and safety materials; renters will receive a citywide and local map and an offered helmet and safety information. The Recreation and Park Commission recommended a nine‑month trial period at Union Square to collect peak‑season safety data; staff said operations could be ceased after that period if data show a problem.

Supervisor Mercurimi moved to approve the item with the budget analyst’s recommended amendment that the Board of Supervisors retain authority to approve any future expansion of bicycle rental concessions beyond locations listed in the lease. Chair Carmen Chu opposed that amendment; the roll call on the amendment was Mercurimi aye, Kim aye, Chu no, and the amendment passed 2–1. The committee then voted to forward the item as amended; the final roll call recorded all members voting aye and the item will move to the Board of Supervisors.

The budget analyst’s report also noted the lease would allow Parkwide to expand to additional, unspecified park locations in the future subject to Recreation and Park Commission approval (but that expansion would not require Board approval unless the committee’s amendment is carried forward). The analyst estimated Parkwide would pay at least $703,009.66 to the department over the first five years under the minimum guarantees and projected receipts could yield a higher total.