Free driverless rides with curbside pickups coming to Grand Rapids
Updated 8:43 AM;
Today 8:43 AM
A map of Grand Rapids downtown and Westside where, in the dark green shaded areas, people will be within a five-minute walk of a driverless vehicle pickup point. In the light green areas, people will be within a 10-minute walk of a pickup point.
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI Starting late spring, people can use their phones to hail an autonomous vehicle to drive them between downtown and a few Westside neighborhoods for free.
The new curbside, on-demand pickups are coming May 17 as part of the second phase of Grand Rapids’ experiment with driverless ride options. The phase will conclude April 2022.
Self-Driving Shuttles Find New Uses During Pandemic
Local governments found themselves with pressing needs during the pandemic, and pilot programs testing automated shuttles stepped up to help for example, by delivering COVID-19 tests and meals. At the recent Smart Cities Connect Conference & Expo city transportation leaders discussed how autonomous vehicle shuttle programs were re-imagined during the pandemic to transport items like food deliveries and COVID-19 tests. Shutterstock/Chesk
The COVID-19 pandemic pumped the brakes on some autonomous shuttle projects last year, while others reimagined their projects to serve more immediate community needs.
The AV shuttle program in Columbus, Ohio, set up to serve a 2.7-mile route in an underserved community with four stops, was transitioned into a meal delivery service.
E-bikes, more scooters potentially coming to Grand Rapids at the start of summer
Updated 3:28 PM;
Today 3:28 PM
An MLive file photo of Spin scooters. More stand-up scooters, as well as e-bikes, are tentatively coming to Grand Rapids in May or June.Jacob Hamilton
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI E-bikes are finally coming to Grand Rapids streets, and likely just in time for summer.
City staff announced Tuesday, April 13, the electrically-assisted bikes, as well as more stand-up scooters, should be available to ride tentatively in May or June as part of the city’s micromobility pilot.
The roll-out hinges on city commissioners approving an operating agreement in the coming weeks with Lime, a popular micromobility company based in California.
Scooters are on the loose in Grand Rapids
Dylan Oakes
and last updated 2021-04-09 08:40:27-04
KENT â City owned scooters are on the loose in Grand Rapids, many have been spotted illegally parked, misused and abused; an Instagram account growing in popularity called @GR scootsontheloose is shining a light on the problem.
The user-generated content shows pictures and videos of Spin scooters in trees, apartment complexes and front lawns. One guy is even seen sleeping with a scooter, while another is spotted at the bottom of the Grand River.
Carl Sobel, local comedian says the public has been sharing their pictures with him, which he posts to his Instagram account along with a funny, inspirational quote.
Grand Rapids driverless shuttles might continue into 2022 with on-demand pick-ups, drop-offs
Updated Jan 26, 2021;
Posted Jan 26, 2021
May Mobility is working on a proposal for a second-year pilot of autonomous vehicles in downtown Grand Rapids. Photo provided to MLive.com by May Mobility.Submitted, May Mobility
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UPDATE: The Grand Rapids City Commission has approved extending the initial pilot through April 30 at no cost to the city.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI Grand Rapids’ experiment with driverless shuttles might continue into 2022 with new features, including on-demand pick-ups.
Grand Rapids officials said Tuesday, Jan. 26, that Ann Arbor-based May Mobility is developing a proposal to continue its autonomous shuttle pilot with the city for a second year.