First/Last Mile Connections: Transportation Strategies
Lower Merion Township Building and Planning Department
What are first mile and last mile connections?
A first mile connection(FM) is the beginning of an individual trip made primarily by public transportation. The traveler might have driven to the train station at the start, or perhaps they took a local bus or walked.
Similarly, a last mile connection(LM) is the gap the traveler must navigate from public transit to their destination.
What is Micromobility?
Micromobility is an umbrella term for modes of transportation that share some distinct features, such as the increased flexibility in routes and access, and scale, as these vehicles serve individual users.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania defines certain modes in terms of their registration and limitations.
There are specific types of electric mobility devices that are legal in Pennsylvania.
For the purpose of this presentation, we will start with focusing on the modes that are legal in Pennsylvania.
Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device(EPAMDs):
- A self-balancing, two-nontandem-wheeled device designed to transport only one person with an electric propulsion system.
- These are legally allowed to be operated on sidewalks and roadways in the state of Pennsylvania, unless prohibited by local ordinance
- Classified as vehicles, but not motor vehicles, and as such, should follow laws related to and be treated by motorists the same as a bicycle.
- Segway® Human Transporters are the only devices in PA that qualify as electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDs)
Segways: Pros and Cons
Cons:
- Retail at $5950.00
- Insurance
- 90-120 lbs
- Learning curve
Pros:
- Top speed of 10mph(3x faster than walking)
- Classified under the legal rules of a bicycle
- "Consumer product"
- All Segway balancing boards are EPAMDS: variety of style
*must have a light at nighttime
*12 and under must wear a helmet
Hoverboards?
Pennsylvania law has not specified the legality of hoverboards. Certain colleges have banned the use of hoverboards.
Because of the short lifespan of their lithium battery, it is generally discouraged in a public setting.
Loophole: Segway technology is patented, and classified under EPAMD rules. Devices such as the MiniPro are currently not specified as an EPAMD or a hoverboard, but because they are protected under Segway brand, they are considered legal.
MiniPros cost range from $300-600.
In 2018, Segway got bought by Ninebot and their companies merged. The new Minipros are called "Ninebots", and have extended battery life but design changes.
The nice thing about Ninebots...
You can attach a handlebar and effectively have a "Segway", complete with better handling and a smaller and lighter machine to operate.
Electric Bicycles
How do I classify my "motor scooter"?
Level 1: Moped
To be labeled a moped, the bike must have a motor and pedals that propel it.
The motor must be 50 CC or smaller and is limited to 1.5 brake horsepower. Mopeds also may not exceed 25 miles per hour and must have automatic transmissions.
Class C driver’s license
Register moped for a $9 fee
Special moped license plate
Safety: Typically without catalytic converters, emit ten to thirty times the hydrocarbons and particulate emissions
Not allowed on high-speed roads
5 litre tank= 1.3-1.5 gallons, roughly 100 miles
Level 2: Motor-Driven Cycles
lIf your moped does not have operable pedals, under PA law it is a "motor-driven cycle".
PA law defines scooters as "motor-driven cycles".
No more than 5 brake horsepower
~150 CC maximum(freeway legal)
Scooters must be inspected
Motorcycle plate
Eye protection required
Insurance
Class M driver's license (if "8" restriction, only allowed cycles 50cc or less)
As low as $600
Level 3: Motorcycle
if your motor-driven cycle can do more than 5 brake horsepower(e.g. 60+ mph) it is a motorcycle.
A motorcycle must have a seat for the rider.
Inspection, insurance, M license, and eye protection are required.
What about this?
Lime scooters are classified as "Motor-driven cycles" They:
-Must pass vehicle inspection
-Because vehicle inspection requires things like rear-view mirrors, turn signals, and fenders, they would never be able to pass inspection. They are effectively illegal in Pennsylvania
-"E-scooter"- to classify as bicycles
-Docking technology: The cost is $1 to unlock and 15 cents a minute to ride. Control pick up/drop off with the Lime App
Title 75 (Vehicles) to define “electric low-speed scooters” (“Low-Speed Scooters”) Daniel Laughlin April 10, 2019
What should Lower Merion do?
Based on all of this information, the question now is to decide which methods of micromobility are best for Lower Merion Township to adopt.
Given the demographic of a majority upper-middle class, single-family homes, Lower MErion Township residents are most interested in a trendy, clean and effective way to close the gap between home and the train station. To cut down on traffic and to bring more people outside, my research suggests that the Segway Ninebot model would be the most popular choice.
Lower Merion Township(and all of PA) already accepts Segway technology as EPAMD under the law.
EPAMDs require no registration, and are the easiest mode of micro-mobility.
Devices such as the MiniPro are lighter weight, and possible to carry onto trains.
E-Bikes and/or motor-driven cycles can be locked at stations and offer variability in travel.