Local bike-shop owner urges limits on Bird placement; committee moves to executive session on contract

Rick Sharp, who identified himself as representing Burns and Segways and Electric Bikes, told the Burlington City Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee that the city’s contract bike‑share operator has been “mismanaging their bikes,” leaving them on the waterfront and in public spaces and competing directly with his local rental business.

Sharp said the company had reduced maintenance staff and that Bird’s bikes were often left wrapped around fixtures near the waterfront. He asked the committee either not to renew the contract next year or, if the city continues the vendor, to prohibit Bird from docking on the waterfront, require docks east of Battery Street, and require overnight repositioning of bikes to neighborhoods so they do not compete with seasonal rental businesses.

Staff briefed the committee on the contract timeline and said the agreement includes a 90‑day cancellation clause; the renewal window in June means the committee would need to act by late March to cancel or materially change the vendor arrangement. Committee members sought clarification on the execution dates and the exact 90‑day deadline.

Later in the meeting a motion was made and seconded to enter executive session to discuss contract negotiations and privileged attorney‑client communications related to the regional bike‑share program (the motion was noted as made by Councilor Bergman on the record). The committee voted to enter the closed session; public recording stopped and the meeting proceeded in executive session with staff and legal counsel in attendance.

No formal decision on the vendor contract was announced in the public portion of the meeting; the committee left the matter for private negotiation and follow up.