Ep. 56 – Scooter Update: A Conversation with Lime

The scooter storm seems to have died down since restrictions were implemented late last year. But I’m hearing some chatter in the background. So what’s next for scooters? Most of that remains to be seen, but I finally got an interview with someone from a scooter company. Lime’s North Carolina General Manager CJ Shaw shared some thoughts with me about Raleigh and the future of scooters here. Enjoy!

LINKS

You’ll see fewer scooters in Raleigh this December – News & Observer, Nov. 20, 2018

Raleigh tells Bird and Lime to meet city’s scooter rules as written – News & Observer, Dec. 6, 2018

What’s Next for Scooters – Time Magazine – Feb. 5, 2019

OFFICIAL COMMENT RELEASED FROM BIRD (I got this via email.)

January 8, 2019

Official Comment

“Raleigh City Council unfortunately does not agree that environmentally friendly transportation should be available to all. The council passed excessive and unnecessary fees on environmentally-friendly shared e-scooters that will limit access to this affordable transportation option to those who need it most. The $2 per ride transportation tax riders must now pay to ride Bird is the direct result of Raleigh City Council forcing e-scooter providers to pay extraneous fees. Raleigh residents have enthusiastically supported our service. They want — and need — more access to our affordable transportation solution, not less. Furthermore, the popularity of Bird has led to a budding community of chargers and mechanics who have come to rely on the supplemental income they earn by supporting our operations in Raleigh. We remain committed to those riders, chargers and mechanics who are greatly benefiting from our presence and helping eliminate our addiction to cars. We are doing everything we can to ensure we can continue to serve them. Our hope is that Raleigh City Council will eliminate its high fees and its arbitrary cap on sustainable transportation offerings so that all residents, not just those who can afford the tax, can once again enjoy Bird as a truly affordable option in their community.” – Sam Reed, Director of Government Partnerships at Bird

Mackenzie Long

Government Communications

B I R D

bird.co