Bird Scooter-Sharing Company Pulls Scooters From Saint Louis

ST. LOUIS, MO — Just a day after launching a new electric scooter-sharing service in St. Louis, Bird has pulled it scooters from the city. City officials said yesterday the company did not have a permit and was operating illegally.

"In partnership with the city of St. Louis, we have agreed to remove all Birds from the city until scooters are added to the city’s dockless vehicle program next week," a Bird spokesperson told Patch. "We are in close communication with local officials and are working together on our permit application, and we look forward to relaunching in St. Louis next week."

If they make a reappearance, Bird's fleet of scooters can be accessed via smartphone app and cost $1 plus $0.15 per minute to ride. The scooters can go 15 mph and make it about 15 miles on a single charge, the company said.

The scooters will only available from 7 a.m. to sunset. Each night, the company plans to pick up their scooters for charging and repair and drop them back off in their "nests" — prearranged spots around the city — by 7 a.m.

Riders are required to have a valid driver's license and are not allowed to ride on sidewalks. The Arch grounds will also be off-limits.

If approved to operate in St. Louis, the company has pledged to share revenue with the city to improve bike lanes and promote safe riding.

"We look forward to working closely with the city so that Bird is a reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation option," the company said in an email.

Image via Bird