Since 2012, Brett Helling has built expertise in the rideshare and delivery sectors, working with major platforms like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash.
He acquired Ridester.com in 2014, the first ridesharing marketplace, leveraging his direct experience to enhance the site. His insights at Ridester are recognized by Forbes, Vice, and CNBC.
Expanding his reach, Brett founded Gigworker.com and authored “Gigworker: Independent Work and the State of the Gig Economy“, demonstrating his comprehensive knowledge of the gig economy.
Owner, Ridester.comRidester articles are reviewed by gig economy experts before getting published to ensure accuracy, thoroughness, and quality. Learn about our editorial standards.
Brett Helling
Since 2012, Brett Helling has built expertise in the rideshare and delivery sectors, working with major platforms like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash.
He acquired Ridester.com in 2014, the first ridesharing marketplace, leveraging his direct experience to enhance the site. His insights at Ridester are recognized by Forbes, Vice, and CNBC.
Expanding his reach, Brett founded Gigworker.com and authored “Gigworker: Independent Work and the State of the Gig Economy“, demonstrating his comprehensive knowledge of the gig economy.
Updated on: January 16, 2024
Key Takeaways
Bird scooters are electric vehicles you can access through a smartphone app. They’re part of a shared mobility service built by Bird Company Inc.
These scooters are designed for short urban commutes, perfect for bustling cities. Bird scooters have lightweight frames, are easy to ride, and some of them even come with high-speed options.
To start your Bird ride, download the app, find available scooters nearby, and scan the QR code on the scooter. Once you scan it, the app will give you prompts on how to unlock it. When you’re done following the steps, the instructions page will close and you’ll be good to go.
Once you’ve arrived at your destination, parking the scooter is as easy as tapping a button on the Bird app. This will end the trip and make the scooter available for the next rider.
Bird scooter company is one of the few ride-sharing platforms that operates 100% carbon-free. By relying entirely on electricity, Bird significantly reduces carbon emissions in all the cities it operates in.
This eco-friendliness can also be observed in the scooters’ compact size, as you can fit ten of them into one traditional parking spot. Just think of all the traffic and pollution that are removed from busy streets and neighborhoods.
As a sign of dedication toward sustainability, Bird has also partnered with many local organizations and initiatives. This way, it provides mobility in the cities it operates and pushes toward creating an impact for the communities it serves.
Bird’s infrastructure is perfectly optimized for the demands of big city life.
Thanks to this unique model, Bird scooters have already expanded their presence across the entire world. Today, they’re available in the US, UK, Australia, and many parts of Europe.
This reach has even made companies like Lyft and Uber explore their scooter initiatives in hopes of adapting to eco-friendly transport in various cities.
Bird has a base price for unlocking an electric scooter, followed by a per-minute fee for riding. The initial unlocking fee ranges from $1 to $2, while the per-minute cost varies between 15 and 40 cents.
The company sometimes charges extra by incorporating local taxes or surcharges, depending on the country of use.
Some areas also feature a dynamic price point during peak hours, leading to increased costs per ride.
You can pay for your electric scooter either through your card or by charging the Bird app’s prepaid wallet balance. This adds to the platform’s convenience, reducing problems that typically occur in ridesharing systems that operate with cash.
Bird scooters are great for many reasons, but users especially love the following:
There’s no denying that electric scooters are great to get around, but this comes at a price.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
After experimenting with Bird scooters for daily commuting, I’ve concluded they’re more suitable for casual, short-distance travel rather than a practical daily transportation solution.
While fun, and even sometimes useful, for leisurely rides, the cost efficiency is questionable for regular commutes.
On a recent vacation in Nashville, a 1.5 mile ride cost over $18 – significantly higher than other modes of transport like biking or public transit.
Additionally, the scooters’ speed limitations and frequent misinterpretation of riding zones resulted in frustrating slowdowns.
In short, Bird scooters are a fun mode of transportation that I suggest using occasionally while traveling, but for daily commuting, more traditional and cost-effective methods are better options.
No, helmets aren’t provided with the scooters, but users are recommended to use their own for maximum protection. Many cities also have specific regulations that oblige helmet use, so you wouldn’t want to risk it.
Bird requires users to be at least 18 years old to ride its electric scooters. Still, some cities have their own age requirement regulations, so it’s best to check those out first.
As urban areas seek eco-friendly riding alternatives, Bird scooters present an ideal solution to that. Bird’s fleet of scooters is also efficient, easy to ride in, and ideal for jam-packed cities.
If you’re ready to find a more elegant supplement to your car and ride with ease, style, and eco-friendliness, these scooters are waiting for you.
