The City of Milwaukee and Bird Cooperate to Overcome Restrictions on E-Scooters

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 its 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. Red, White and Bird aims to provide accessibility benefits to active U.S. military and veterans.

About Bird

Bird is a last-mile electric vehicle sharing company dedicated to bringing affordable, environmentally friendly transportation solutions to communities across the world. It provides a fleet of shared electric scooters that can be accessed via smartphone. Birds give people looking to take a short journey across town or down that “last-mile” from the subway or bus to their destination a way to do so that does not pollute the air or add to traffic. Bird works closely with the cities in which it operates so that Bird is a reliable and affordable transportation option for people who live and work there. Founded in 2017 by transportation pioneer Travis VanderZanden, Bird is headquartered in Venice, Calif., and is rapidly expanding across the country. Follow Bird on Instagram (www.instagram.com/bird), on Twitter at @BirdRide, and find more information at www.bird.co.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.