Bird electric scooter sharing hits OKC (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=531-Bird-electric-scooter-sharing-hits-OKC)

Last night, Bird dropped off approximately 40 scooters in downtown Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bird1.jpg


Bird provides electric scooters that can be rented and dropped off anywhere. Users download the App to their smart phone and use it to check out a scooter, then drop it to await the next rider. The Bird App shows scooter locations.

The following graphic shows the Bird locations in OKC as of this morning:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bird2.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bird5.jpg

The Santa Monica-based company has been agressively expanding all over the U.S. And overseas. Typically, they quietly drop their scooters in urban areas without seeking permits and the practice has frequently led to legal action.

Bird suddenly and somewhat silently started the program in Milwaukee which has led to the city quickly passing an ordinance that would allow the scooters to be impounded.

At issue is general safety and local ordinances that may not allow the powered vehicles to be ridden on the street or sidewalks. From the Bird App:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bird3.jpg

Oklahoma City is not currently listed as a market on Bird's website.

OKCTalk has learned the matter of electric scooters have been discussed in private meetings with the City Manager and City Council. The city seems to be in discussions regarding bringing in a sanctioned electric scooter company – such as Lime, Bird's chief competitor – in order to better control the scooters and their usage.

This is a developing story which will be amended with new information as it becomes available.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bird4.jpg

I saw these in Dallas and San Diego on recent trips. I'm not sure if they were the same brand. I can see issues when people leaves these scattered around town and possibly in the street.

I'm excited about this as it's easier than trying to jump on a Spokie. There are similar apps/companies for bikes where you don't have to dock them.

I hope this company and/or Lime can work with the city to benefit the people.

They are already all over the place downtown.

Be very interesting to see how the city deals with this and how quickly they move.

How are these powered, by that I mean how do they get power? Since they don't have a dock is it all powered by the forward motion while riding?

I rode one this morning and it was easy to set up and intuitive to drive. Cost me $3 for a 14 minute ride. It was really fun!

How are these powered, by that I mean how do they get power? Since they don't have a dock is it all powered by the forward motion while riding?

They are battery powered. One can actually sign up to be a "Bird Charger" much like being an Uber or Lyft driver. The attached link explains it very well.

https://therideshareguy.com/i-signed-up-to-be-a-bird-electric-scooter-charger-heres-what-its-like-2/

They are battery powered. One can actually sign up to be a "Bird Charger" much like being an Uber or Lyft driver. The attached link explains it very well.

https://therideshareguy.com/i-signed-up-to-be-a-bird-electric-scooter-charger-heres-what-its-like-2/

I had read this story in Slate a while ago, might also want to read it if you want to be a charger, quite different perspective. :)

https://slate.com/technology/2018/05/charging-bird-scooters-overnight-is-like-a-much-less-fun-version-of-pokemon-go.html

This is NOT a good thing and I hope the city acts to prevent it. I've been to multiple cities in the past year where these are available and the streets are just littered with them. This is not like Spokies where there are specific locations to park. You literally just leave it on the sidewalk when you're done. They obstruct pedestrians, cyclists and dirty the streets.

The concept is creative and fun, but the lack of oversight on their use is troubling.

Pretty Uber-esq just showing up and ignoring all laws.

As I mentioned in the article, I believe the city is working with a similar company to sanction the scooters and regulate them.

As I mentioned in the article, I believe the city is working with a similar company to sanction the scooters and regulate them.

Don't regulate them...ban them. Or force companies to offer them exclusively in certain areas at a kiosk where they need to be returned or you are fined heavy $.

This is NOT a good thing... ...They obstruct pedestrians, cyclists and dirty the streets.
.

Not as bad as cars do, and hopefully these things will allow people to drive less.

This is NOT a good thing and I hope the city acts to prevent it. I've been to multiple cities in the past year where these are available and the streets are just littered with them. This is not like Spokies where there are specific locations to park. You literally just leave it on the sidewalk when you're done. They obstruct pedestrians, cyclists and dirty the streets.

The concept is creative and fun, but the lack of oversight on their use is troubling.

100% agree, I hope the city impounds all these.

Then I hope they turn around and get a deal worked with Lime so these can be properly regulated.

I'm all for options, but just ignoring laws and doing whatever you want is completely arrogant. I've watched an interview with the people behind Bird and they seem very arrogant.

I agree that Bird's business model is sleazy but the concept is great. I too, would like the city to work something out with one of the companies so that everyone is cool. However, having a few days/weeks of wild west no regulation on these bird scooters I think could be a good thing as people will have an alternate mode of transport at their finger tips and can literally go where they want when they want. It's a shock to the system and will be interesting to see how people respond. Again though, for the long term, it's important that everyone is on board for the sustainability of this idea, so I'm glad there is a company doing this the right way by slowly working out a deal with the city.

I notice Bird electric scooters have been placed around a few locations in the city. The question I have is if this will actually benifit Oklahoma City, or just be a short term gimmick for Hipsters?

Personal thought is that OKC is such a large area, that scooters are not going to be of value for anything but very short term trips. . . I am betting it will be short lived.

Not as bad as cars do, and hopefully these things will allow people to drive less.

You're right. If only we as a city could come up with a concept that helped people drive less and connect different districts...

This is NOT a good thing and I hope the city acts to prevent it. I've been to multiple cities in the past year where these are available and the streets are just littered with them. This is not like Spokies where there are specific locations to park. You literally just leave it on the sidewalk when you're done. They obstruct pedestrians, cyclists and dirty the streets.

The concept is creative and fun, but the lack of oversight on their use is troubling.

*eyeroll*

As a consumer and occasional person who wants to get around quick and easy, Im all for them. These will be accepted by the public quickly, just like uber was. No need to ban them, just educate everyone. They are movable, they dont obstruct anything. And lol at them dirtying the streets.

I like the idea of not having to return them to kiosks though, mainly because you can go directly to your destination. That in of itself helps compete with a car, but a scooter is smaller and easier to "park" than a car. Why must we always run and get behind government with things. I like the idea of spokies, but I hardly ever get one because they are all "checked out" so I am all up for more options that can be spread throughout the city.

Granted, I could see there being issues when you leave it outside a shop for a quick run in to grab something and then someone comes along and grabs it for their use, leaving you to walk...

Pretty Uber-esq just showing up and ignoring all laws.

What laws are they breaking?


I notice Bird electric scooters have been placed around a few locations in the city. The question I have is if this will actually benifit Oklahoma City, or just be a short term gimmick for Hipsters?

Personal thought is that OKC is such a large area, that scooters are not going to be of value for anything but very short term trips. . . I am betting it will be short lived.

Not a gimmick, simply a way to get around. And thats what they are made for, short term trips. No one is going 10 miles on these things. Say you want to go from Tower Theater to Fassler and dont want to wait and spend $7 on an uber, hop on this and be there quicker and cheaper.

I notice Bird electric scooters have been placed around a few locations in the city. The question I have is if this will actually benifit Oklahoma City, or just be a short term gimmick for Hipsters?

Personal thought is that OKC is such a large area, that scooters are not going to be of value for anything but very short term trips. . . I am betting it will be short lived.

It's perfect for someone like me who lives within 1.5 miles of downtown and do most everything except for grocery shop in the core. I like to walk to places and these scooters will be the best option for me if I'm on foot and need to get somewhere more quickly. It's cheaper and more convenient than calling an uber or lyft.

I like the idea of not having to return them to kiosks though, mainly because you can go directly to your destination. That in of itself helps compete with a car, but a scooter is smaller and easier to "park" than a car. Why must we always run and get behind government with things. I like the idea of spokies, but I hardly ever get one because they are all "checked out" so I am all up for more options that can be spread throughout the city.

Granted, I could see there being issues when you leave it outside a shop for a quick run in to grab something and then someone comes along and grabs it for their use, leaving you to walk...

You can leave it locked in your name for those short trips into a store and then come back to it. You just keep paying for it while you have it locked.

So basically the rate is calculated by time?

just saw this post on twitter:

https://twitter.com/okcsavage/status/1025056373711753216

"Bird dropped last night with no permitting. About 40 ��. Lime is going through the process now and wants to bring 300 w/ staff & support."

So basically the rate is calculated by time?

$1 to check out the bike then $.15 a minute

You can leave it locked in your name for those short trips into a store and then come back to it. You just keep paying for it while you have it locked.

Oh, that is good to know.

I use Birds every time I’m in LA and I absolutely love them. Super easy to use and get going — much easier than Spokies IMHO. They definitely encourage walking as this would bridge the gap between districts. Because OKC’s sidewalks aren’t very busy, I actually think they’d be a seamless addition to transportation options. They cause no wear and tear on streets. I’d definitely jump on one and hop from Bricktown to Midtown or Midtown to Uptown. I get it if you dislike their business model, but having used Birds a lot, I think they’ll be a great addition to OKC.

Don't regulate them...ban them. Or force companies to offer them exclusively in certain areas at a kiosk where they need to be returned or you are fined heavy $.

Wow. Strong feelings. I like this option being introduced into OKC. I am not offended at all by how Bird approached their launch. I think it's cool. I certainly wouldn't want these scooters to require me to go find a kiosk or something. Kiosks will require people to be educated on where they are located AND encourage people to drive and park near a kiosk if they want to use the scooter. That is counter intuitive to what makes this product special as compared to Spokies.

Also, I love Spokies with all my heart. I want more Spokies.

It seems very likely the city will partner with Lime and make this all official and sanctioned.

And with their model, they have employees go out and take responsibility for the scooters, for charging them, etc. So ultimately there is a company responsible for them being used improperly or left in the middle of a sidewalk, etc. And they'll know the identity of the offending party and deal with that on their own.

I was just texting with a friend about all this and it occurred to me that OKC might be the best possible application of this product. We have lots of urban areas but they are still pretty disjointed and spread-out. Our public transportation system is thin; we don't even have good bike infrastructure.

An officially sanctioned and regulated electric scooter program could be a huge benefit to the entire urban core and even beyond.

Does Lime use central stations for their scooters or are customers able to leave them at their destinations for others to pick up?

Wow. Strong feelings. I like this option being introduced into OKC. I am not offended at all by how Bird approached their launch. I think it's cool. I certainly wouldn't want these scooters to require me to go find a kiosk or something. Kiosks will require people to be educated on where they are located AND encourage people to drive and park near a kiosk if they want to use the scooter. That is counter intuitive to what makes this product special as compared to Spokies.

Also, I love Spokies with all my heart. I want more Spokies.

I have no issue with the concept. It's a great idea and I can see why it appeals to people. I LOVE the idea of getting people to drive less. But the human element leaves too much room for error.

But I've seen these used in LA where people ride on the sidewalk and weave through pedestrians. I was cycling in a bike line where one was in front of me, they saw me coming and stopped abruptly (we weren't at a light) and we almost crashed...probably would have if there had been cars near us. And ideally people would lean these on buildings where they are out of the way, but almost all of them were just thrown on a sidewalk. It just left a bad taste in my mouth seeing how people were using them so selfishly and carelessly. I'll clarify this by saying it was near the very beginning of these becoming popular, so perhaps regulations in other cities have made them safer.

From the City via KFOR reporter Lacey Lett:


Assistant City Manager Laura Johnson:


Yesterday, the City first became aware of today’s launch of a dockless scooter sharing service. The City learned about it in an email from one of the service’s competitors.
The service that launched today also notified the City in an email about 10 a.m. today.
City staff is working on an ordinance regarding dockless bicycle/scooter sharing, but has not yet been introduced to the City Council for consideration.
Under current ordinances, using a City sidewalk for parking a scooter/bike for a scooter/bike sharing service requires a revocable permit. The service that launched today does not have one.
The City is still evaluating its response.

Bird has its electric scooters all over Denver. they have been extremely popular, and extremely contentious. Along with Bird, Lime has also dropped a boatload of scooters around the city. Being dockless, and having no rules, people leave the scooters where ever they happen to land. They clutter the sidewalks, block access to buildings, etc. It's not a huge problem for me, but I can certainly see how it will quickly get out of hand. Denver impounded hundreds of these scooters before the companies picked them up. After new ordinances were enacted, the scooters returned - just last week, I think. Now, not only have Lime and Bird returned, but Lyft and other companies announced they too are bringing scooters. Today, there are about 2,000 scooters on the streets from these companies, and 1,000 electric bikes are coming in the next few weeks. Bike & scooter sharing is big business!

This will be a huge threat to Spokies. Around the US scooters have proven to be more popular, profitable and widely-used than bikeshare programs.

Might change with electric bikes

Love this.

Not that I'd use them - but maybe I would - haven't really thought about it much.

I personally like the idea of steamrolling in and forcing the city to expedite 'dealing with it.' Closed door meetings can drag on forever and ever and are rarely transparent. As long as the company is prepared for any legal repercussions, I say "Go For it!" and the city WILL be better for it.

San Antonio has scooters all over downtown and the urban core. We have Bird (https://www.bird.co), Lime (https://www.limebike.com/electric-scooter), and a local start up Blue Duck (https://www.blueduckscooters.com) all with hundreds of Scooters downtown and the urban core. They’re not as bad as people seem to complain about.

Riding on the sidewalks is an issue, but that’ll lessen as more people use them and begin understand the rules. The real issue for these companies will be maintenance and theft. These scooters get beat up because users have no attachment to them outside of the twenty the ride when theybuse then then discard them. Others might see one laying in the middle of a sidewalk and move it by throwing it.

checked their website out - looks like they have a job posting for damn near every employee a medium sized company would actually need - seems like they got a crapton of Silicon Valley VC $$ - will be interesting to watch this one play out.

although next time i go downtown and get buzzed up i might hop on one and try to take it on some sweet jumps

*eyeroll*

As a consumer and occasional person who wants to get around quick and easy, Im all for them. These will be accepted by the public quickly, just like uber was. No need to ban them, just educate everyone. They are movable, they dont obstruct anything. And lol at them dirtying the streets.

In downtown Dallas I've seen literal piles of bikes and scooters from the multiple dockless personal transport companies that service the area. It's seriously no joke, these things get left everywhere with little consideration to their surroundings. And with multiple companies in the fray, sometimes competition breaks out to where someone working for one will knock over their competition's equipment or intentionally move it somewhere it's not supposed to be to get the other company in trouble... It's a total mess.

In downtown Dallas I've seen literal piles of bikes and scooters from the multiple dockless personal transport companies that service the area. It's seriously no joke, these things get left everywhere with little consideration to their surroundings. And with multiple companies in the fray, sometimes competition breaks out to where someone working for one will knock over their competition's equipment or intentionally move it somewhere it's not supposed to be to get the other company in trouble... It's a total mess.

sounds like someone needs to come up with a scooter wars reality show and get rich lol

Haha:

Bird Electric Scooters | Realistic Marketing, Inc. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU6WSFG8CIA&feature=youtu.be)

Hahahah that’s great

How about something for old people that want to haul it?

Was in the Paseo tonight and saw a bunch of them there and at least one was completely out of juice.

I thought the guy in the video was joking when he said they stopped working at 8 but they really must.... There are no scooters available on the app tonight.

They run out of juice fairly quickly, which is why they make so many available. I don’t see them as the nuisance others see them as, but you want a lot because some will need repairs, be out of juice, etc.

I rode one tonight and it was very fun. There was one very near my doorstep when I brought up the app. Rode it to bricktown for dinner/movie. 8 minute ride for the 1.2mi, half the time of a walk usually. Just over $2. Totally worth it. I wouldn't always use them, but in this case it was super handy.

More e-scooter and bike sharing options in the works (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=532-More-e-scooter-and-bike-sharing-options-in-the-works)

As OKCTalk was first to report (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=531-Bird-electric-scooter-sharing-hits-OKC), Bird electric scooters were quietly dropped in and around downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, without notice or official permitting.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lime1b.jpg


By Thursday morning, the powered scooters seemed to be everywhere in the city's core, with riders zipping around Bricktown, Film Row, the Paseo and the Plaza District.

Now, at least one other e-scooter company is actively working directly with the city and a similar dockless bike system is also being proactively considered as part of the formally managed Spokies bike-share program.

The term dockless refers to a class of motorized scooters and bikes (both electronic and human-powered) that do not require the vehicles to be returned to specific, designated areas. Rather, they can be left anywhere at the end of a ride which provides much greater coverage and convenience but often creates other issues such as cluttered sidewalks and poorly maintained and even unsafe equipment.

Similar to ride-share programs such as Lyft and Uber, dockless bike- and scooter-sharing programs having been hitting U.S. Cities in an aggressive “don't seek prior permission” strategy employed by several start-up companies such as Bird and LimeBike.

As with automobile ride-sharing, dockless scooters and bikes generally test various ordinances – or the lack thereof – by launching quick-strike pilot programs and dealing with the consequences after the fact.

Cities worldwide are struggling with how to best deal with what can be an onslaught of new vehicles suddenly flooding streets and sidewalks. Various muncipalities have attempted to ban or even impound scooters and bikes while they try to balance the public's desire to utilize the services while considering public safety and other practical matters.

OKCTalk has learned that LimeBike is in the process of working with Oklahoma City to develop a formally sanctioned and permitted service around shared e-scooters.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lime2a.jpg

In response to our email inquiry, Lime staffer Mary Caroline Pruitt replied, “We are working with Oklahoma City to develop a common-sense regulatory framework around shared scooters, and plan to continue to do so until we reach a mutually beneficial solution.”

Pruitt continued: “We have also been working with non-profits, the transit agency, and community leaders. We are optimistic that through our continued collaborative efforts we will be able to bring Lime to Oklahoma City in the future.”

Bird clearly decided to take a more direct approach. Assistant City Manager Laura Johnson said in a Thursday statement:



Yesterday, the City first became aware of today’s launch of a dockless scooter sharing service. The City learned about it in an email from one of the service’s competitors.
The service that launched today also notified the City in an email about 10 a.m. today.
City staff is working on an ordinance regarding dockless bicycle/scooter sharing, but has not yet been introduced to the City Council for consideration.
Under current ordinances, using a City sidewalk for parking a scooter/bike for a scooter/bike sharing service requires a revocable permit. The service that launched today does not have one.
The City is still evaluating its response.



Through its Central Oklahoma Transportaiton and Parking Authority (COTPA), the City of Oklahoma currently offers the fully-managed Spokies docked bike-share program, where bikes can be checked out at designed racks and returned to any of 8 locations located in the Central Business District, Bricktown, Deep Deuce, Automobile Alley and Midtown.

Recognizing the sudden rise of unmanaged dockless solutions, the city has been evaluating adding dockless smart bikes to the Spokies program. The specific option being considered would be to add dockless bikes from BCycle, the same manufacturer of the existing Spokies equipment.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lime3.jpg

Under this proposed program, COTPA/Spokies staff would directly manage the “high quality and safe equipment” with the goal of greatly expanding the city's bike-sharing program without the current geographic limitations. For example, Spokies currently does not have docking locations in Film Row, The Plaza or The Paseo, areas where local businesses and residents have lobbied for the service.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lime4.jpg

While the city continues to evaluate immediate and longer-term issues regarding scooter and bike sharing, social media is already flooded with reports of local residents riding the Bird scooters all around town, with generally positive reaction tempered with concern over safety and asthetics.

It is unclear if the city will look to clamp down on the Bird scooters while they continue to work towards more formally regulated sharing solutions.

The scooter I parked outside my house was gone this morning. Looks like all The outlying scooters were picked up over night. Most are almost fully charged this morning as well.

"OKC Police: new electric scooters illegal to use on streets, sidewalks" from NewsOK: https://newsok.com/article/5603597/okc-police-new-electric-scooters-illegal-to-use-on-streets-sidewalks

So basically they are illegal to use currently.

"OKC Police: new electric scooters illegal to use on streets, sidewalks" from NewsOK: https://newsok.com/article/5603597/okc-police-new-electric-scooters-illegal-to-use-on-streets-sidewalks

What is the difference in these and the segways they already allow on sidewalks and no one throws a fit about them being illegal to drive on sidewalk.

I was just out in LA and saw these all over the place. Used one in Venice Beach and had a great time. Granted, LA (and specifically Venice) are completely different animals from OKC. That being said, I don't think they'll hurt a thing as long as the right rules are in place. And for everyone worried about these being used on streets and more so sidewalks, what say you about people riding their bikes on sidewalks or the various Segway tour groups I've seen using sidewalks in Bricktown and Downtown OKC. Those add traffic to sidewalks too. Cities in the metro probably need to be more intentional about making rules regarding sidewalk use more known. Just my two cents.

So basically they are illegal to use currently.

Technically but I doubt they'll be ticketing people any time soon.

"OKC Police: new electric scooters illegal to use on streets, sidewalks" from NewsOK: https://newsok.com/article/5603597/okc-police-new-electric-scooters-illegal-to-use-on-streets-sidewalks

This seems extremely unlikely and with out them actually siteing the ordaniance I am very skeptical

Clearly Bird is violating city ordinance with the not having a lience but I doubt riders are.

Because that would mean motor assist bike would be illegal along with many other examples

"OKC Police: new electric scooters illegal to use on streets, sidewalks" from NewsOK: https://newsok.com/article/5603597/okc-police-new-electric-scooters-illegal-to-use-on-streets-sidewalks

i figured the helmet part. also figured the sidewalk part. would actually like to see how the ordinance is worded for them being illegal on the street. maybe lack of reflectors?

This seems extremely unlikely and with out them actually siteing the ordaniance I am very skeptical

Clearly Bird is violating city ordinance with the not having a lience but I doubt riders are.

Because that would mean motor assist bike would be illegal along with many other examples

exactly my thoughts as well. under 18 needs a helmet... figured. perhaps not legal on the sidewalks... okay, there probably is something for that with regards to bikes and skateboards... but i want to see the ordinance for street use

If anyone has ever been to the Katy Trail/Oaklawn area in Dallas, there are the bike version of these things scattered everywhere. And although I like the concept, it really does make the area look trashed.

Private property owners can also prohibit them. The Myriad Botanical Gardens is private property, not a public or city park.

that is not accurate myriad gardens is absolutly public city owned property

OKC is now listed on the bird website