New Scooter-Sharing Company, Bird, Launches In Saint Louis

ST. LOUIS, MO — St. Louisans have quickly gotten used to the yellow and lime green bikes that now dot street corners and parks across the city, but there will soon be another option in town. Move over Offo and LimeBike, Bird launched today, offering dockless electric scooters across the city. Riders can find them at locations — Bird calls them "nests" — in downtown St. Louis, Fairgrounds Park, Old North St. Louis, O'Fallon Park and Soulard, with plans to expand as ridership grows.

(Update: Bird Scooter-Sharing Company May Be Operating Illegally)

"St. Louis recognizes the need for an accessible and reliable transit system. We are excited to bring our affordable, transportation option to the people and communities of St. Louis. Birds are perfect for those 'last mile' trips that are too long to walk, but too short to drive," a Bird spokesperson said in an email.

"Right now, more than one-third of cars trips in the U.S. are less than two miles long. Bird's mission is to replace these trips – get people out of their cars, reduce traffic and congestion, and cut carbon emissions."

Bird's fleet of scooters can be accessed via smartphone 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 says.

How do the scooters get charged? Each night, the company picks them up for charging and repair and drops them back off in their nests by 7 a.m. This keeps the scooters from cluttering sidewalks, the company says. As such, the scooters are only available from 7 a.m. to sunset.

Riders are required to have a valid driver's license.

The company has pledged to share revenue with local city governments to improve bike lanes and promote safe riding.

Find more information here.

Image via Bird