Bike Sharing News

Big layoffs at bike-share company prompt total pullout in Dallas

Look for fewer of these in the coming weeks.

Photo courtesy of Ofo

UPDATE: Bike-share company Ofo will be pulling out of Dallas entirely. A statement from Everett Weiler, Ofo GM of Texas, says, "As we continue to bring bikeshare to communities across the globe, Ofo has begun to re-evaluate markets that present obstacles to new, green transit solutions, and prioritize growth in viable markets that support alternative transportation and allow us to continue to serve our customers. As a result, we will not be seeking a permit to operate in Dallas and we thank the city for allowing us to introduce bikeshare to millions of people in Texas."

---

One of the big bike-share companies currently operating in Dallas is undergoing mass company-wide layoffs, resulting in a far smaller local footprint.

According toForbes, Ofo laid off 70 percent of its U.S. workforce on July 18, and will also be shutting down operations in several cities, not yet identified.

The company, which is based in China, operates in 30 markets such as Washington, D.C. and Seattle, which recently proposed legislation that would charge bike-share companies $50 per bike.

Ofo currently has more than 40,000 bikes in the U.S., but has been unable to deploy scooters, which have proven to be profitable for competitors such as Lime.

The cutbacks are expected to reduce the company's total number of cities and total fleet of bikes and that includes its fleet in Dallas, where Ofo has been part of a pilot program. A company spokesperson wasn't able to confirm the final disposition in Dallas, but other sources say that Ofo will be pulling out of nearly all cities except for Seattle, San Diego, and New York.

Forbes called Ofo's layoff "an abrupt turnaround" for the company, which had plans to launch electric bikes and scooters in up to 100 cities by the end of 2018.

The company released a statement, saying, "As we continue to bring bikeshare to communities across the globe, Ofo has begun to re-evaluate markets that present obstacles to new, green transit solutions, and prioritize growth in viable markets that support alternative transportation and allow us to continue to serve our customers."

trends sustainability

Weed News

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas files bill to legalize marijuana

Redheaded Blackbelt

undefined

Texas Rep. Jessica González of Dallas has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana