https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/12/5/18116647/electric-scooter-lime-bird-skip-spin-2018

"..Several of these companies have now become billion-dollar enterprises as their tiny 21st-century chariots have deployed to more than 100 cities, including Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Chicago, and Miami. Bird has reported more than 10 million rides to date."

These valuations are a result of the extreme inequality that exists via massive wealth being funneled to Silicon Valley bros...need to find a way for everyone to get equity in this, not just those people. However cool and functional all this seems, we can't keep doing things the same ol' way with regards to extreme weath/inequality etc...

"..Several of these companies have now become billion-dollar enterprises as their tiny 21st-century chariots have deployed to more than 100 cities, including Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Chicago, and Miami. Bird has reported more than 10 million rides to date."

These valuations are a result of the extreme inequality that exists via massive wealth being funneled to Silicon Valley bros...need to find a way for everyone to get equity in this, not just those people. However cool and functional all this seems, we can't keep doing things the same ol' way with regards to extreme weath/inequality etc...

The valuations are a result of the value these companies are providing the people using them... Bird and Lime are solving the "last mile" problem that cars, buses, and rail have been unable to solve at a reasonable cost or with any logical and efficient transit implementation. For many people, walking a mile isn't a big deal. But in many cities like OKC, walking a mile becomes increasingly difficult with extreme weather conditions, lack of sidewalks, and low density areas with minimal street interaction.

These companies are making tons of money, and they should be. They are providing a service that people like and are using frequently. These scooter companies aren't swindling people out of money, they aren't promising a product or service and not delivering. They are promising a fixed-rate $1 plus $0.15 a minute ride on a scooter (as stated up front). They are delivering exactly that. How is this in any way tied to any issues of inequality present in the modern day USA? Just because someone gets rich doesn't mean everyone else gets poor if that person/company creates jobs, and delivers products that are desirable and add value to people.

Maybe if they gave out free Jimmy's Egg coupons with every rental. Spread the wealth around a bit...

Anything helps