Bird suspends operations in Milwaukee, working with the city to bring scooters back
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Bird scooters has suspended its operations in Milwaukee.
When looking at the Bird Scooter app, less than ten scooters are showing up in the Milwaukee area out of the 100 Bird scooters dropped off in town in July. However, when CBS 58 tried to go and find the scooters, they were nowhere to be found.
Mayor Tom Barrett said he met with Bird Scooter representatives on Friday about the process of removing the scooters. The Common Council approved an ordinance last Tuesday to allow the city to impound the scooters but is asking the state to legalize them. The city began removing the scooters from streets and sidewalks on Monday.
Mayor Barrett and Bird released a joint statement saying as soon as there is clarification on the status of e-scooters or the state restrictions on e-scooters are removed, they plan to work to bring them back.
See the full statement below:
"Today, the City of Milwaukee and Bird announced they will cooperate to establish a framework for e-scooter sharing programs to be implemented throughout the City. Bird and the City expressed their shared goals of creating a community that embraces innovation and includes more transportation options. As soon as clarification comes on the status of e-scooters, or the Wisconsin Legislature and the Governor remove State restrictions on e-scooters, Milwaukee will work with Bird and other interested parties to add e-scooters to the City’s transportation mix.
“We are an innovative and entrepreneurial city that is committed to meeting environmental, economic and social needs while enhancing economic growth,” said Milwaukee Mayor, Tom Barrett. “We are committed to working with Bird to develop a program that meets regulatory requirements as well as the needs of people living and working in Milwaukee.”
"Following a few weeks of productive conversations with city officials, our teams are joining forces so that Bird can be an affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation option for the people of Milwaukee," said David Estrada, Bird's head of Public Affairs and Chief Legal Officer. "We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with Milwaukee city leaders and look forward to bringing Birds back to residents who have already come to enjoy and benefit from this new mode of transportation.”
While stakeholders work to craft the new operating framework, Bird is voluntarily removing it’s vehicles from Milwaukee. Upon re-arrival, Bird has committed to supporting the Milwaukee Police Department by providing extensive rider education to the people of Milwaukee, and holding regular safety events in the city.
In the near future, Bird will provide its One Bird and Red, White and Bird programs in Milwaukee. One Bird offers underserved communities access to affordable and convenient transportation to increase mobility and employment opportunities. While Red, White and Bird aims to provide accessibility benefits to active U.S. military and veterans."