Hearing on fate of Bird scooters in Milwaukee moved to federal court

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A hearing to determine whether a California-based company can continue renting electric scooters in Milwaukee is being rescheduled.

The hearing was initially scheduled for Friday morning in Milwaukee County Circuit Court but the case is being moved to federal court at the request of Bird Rides Inc. A new hearing date has not been set.

Milwaukee sued in circuit court after Bird refused to comply with a cease-and-desist letter on June 28, a day after the company started renting scooters in the city. Milwaukee officials argue the scooters are unregistered and not legal to ride in streets or sidewalks but Bird disagrees.

The company is renting scooters in about two dozen cities and other locations have also asked Bird to cease operations raising arguments similar to Milwaukee's.