GSEC 2018 | Page 25

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT Earlier this year, a fleet of red bikes invaded the streets of Sacramento seemingly overnight. JUMP began its 900- bike rollout in May, and the program has grown more rapidly in the Sacramento region than in any other city, according to a company spokesperson. A 2017 study by the National Association of City Transportation Officials cites that the average American bikeshare program experiences 1.7 rides per bike per day, but according to statistics provided by JUMP, its bikes experienced 6.5 rides per day in Sacramento as of September. The many cyclists leisurely pedaling Sacramento-area streets anecdotally proves JUMP’s popularity, but the program also belies the city’s commitment to programs and partnerships that will shape the future of mobility in Sacramento, improve the economy, and perhaps establish Sacramento as a new leader in innovative automotive technology and infrastructure. “Here in Sacramento, we are rapidly establishing our city as a testing ground for new technologies that will improve mobility for our residents, help fight climate change and create the jobs of the 21st century,” says Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “We are also a leader in promoting the use of shared vehicles, including JUMP electric bikes and new on-demand shuttles launched by Regional Transit. Soon, we will deploy the largest shared fleet of electric cars in the nation.” That fleet will include more than 400 vehicles between rideshare companies Envoy and Gig, with rollouts beginning in November and early 2019 respectively, thanks to a $44 million Green City Investment in Sacramento by Electrify America, a result of Volkswagen’s 2016 multibillion-dollar settlement for falsifying emissions. Electrify America chose Sacramento as the first recipient of the Green City Investment based on three criteria: city size, mobility fit and potential impact. Envoy’s cofounder Ori Sagie agrees with Electrify America’s assessment that Sacramento is the right fit for testing zeroemission vehicle programs. “As California’s fastest-growing big city, Sacramento is a great setting to evaluate the latest mobility solutions. Sacramento’s growth means there is demand for car sharing, but it’s still small enough to be a test region,” Sagie says. “Sacramento serves as an example for the rest of California, and for other cities across the nation seeking to add EV infrastructure.” According to Jennifer Gress, policy director for Mayor Steinberg’s office, the $44 million investment already is drawing attention, in addition to contracts with Envoy and Gig. “Investment begets more investment,” Gress says. “If we have a lot of activity here, people want to be close to that. Before we were even approved as a Green City, a lot of companies were reaching out to us. Mercedes wanted to form a partnership on dealer education on EV, and that Sacramento is one of two cities where they’ve launched their EV sales — I think that is really significant.” In addition to the Green City Investment, a recent delegation of leaders from “As California’s fastest-growing big city, Sacramento is a great setting to evaluate the latest mobility solutions. Sacramento’s growth means there is demand for car sharing, but it’s still small enough to be a test region.” the greater Sacramento region traveled to Germany in September to meet with automotive industry leaders and tour PEM Aachen GmbH, an innovation hub and incubator that funds research and prototype development of innovative technologies by startups and local university students. Jaime Lemus, division manager of transportation and climate change at Sacramento - Ori Sagie, co-founder, Envoy December 2018 | comstocksmag.com 87