The City of Medford has entered an agreement with Bird, the Los Angeles, California-based, environmentally-friendly electric transportation company, to bring shared e-scooters to the city. Bird is a naturally socially distanced and eco-friendly way to get around. The scooters are available through a mobile phone application and riders pay to use the scooter per minute, at no cost to the city.
“We are happy to welcome Bird to the City of Medford and look forward to having the scooters available,” said Matt Brinkley, Medford Planning Director. “Scooters make for a useful way to bridge the gap between public transportation and a person’s home or work. More transportation options can bring a lot of benefits to the city.”
The City Council approved a Pilot Operating Agreement in November 2021. The agreement is for one year, allowing for adjustments as needed.
The company plans on offering scooters to residents and visitors in order to help reduce carbon emissions, as well as traffic congestion on roadways. The scooters also provide a safe way to get around during the pandemic and offer residents without cars another transportation option.
The electric scooters can be used on roads and in bike lanes and have a maximum speed of 15mph. Scooters must be parked out of the way of pedestrians and never blocking driveways. Riders are required to be 18 years-old and above to access the scooters. They are also encouraged to wear a helmet on every ride and are required to obey all standard rules of the road.
If a resident has questions or concerns about the e-scooters the company can be reached directly at 1-866-205-2442 or hello@bird.co. The support line is available 24/7.
Bird offers the following programs that are available for all who qualify:
- Community Pricing – Bird’s Community Pricing Program offers a 50% discount to low-income riders, Pell grant recipients, select local nonprofit and community organizations, veterans, and senior citizens. It’s designed to be the most inclusive micromobility discount program available anywhere. To sign up for the Community Pricing Program, download the Bird app, create an account, and email your proof of eligibility to access@bird.co.
- Free Rides for Healthcare Workers and Emergency Personnel – Bird is proud to offer free rides to healthcare workers and emergency personnel. To sign up, simply email a copy of your medical identification card along with your name and phone number to together@bird.co. Eligible riders will receive two free 30-minute rides per day for as long as it takes to help our communities to recover from this global health crisis.
- Community Mode – Community Mode allows anyone with a Bird account to report or provide feedback on vehicle-related issues such as poorly parked or damaged vehicles in their area. When a report is submitted, a member of the Bird team is assigned to correct the issue. Anyone can access Community Mode by tapping the yield sign on the bottom left of the Bird map.
Additional safety features and community offerings from Bird:
- How to Bird: Check out this blog post for all you need to know to safely ride, park and experience the benefits of Bird shared scooters in your city.
- Beginner Mode – Great for new riders or those who just want to cruise, this feature offers a gentle acceleration mode that helps riders feel comfortable and build confidence.
- Community Mode – Community Mode allows anyone with a Bird account to report or provide feedback on vehicle-related issues such as poorly parked or damaged vehicles in their area. When a report is submitted, a member of the Bird team is assigned to correct the issue. Anyone can access Community Mode by tapping the yield sign on the bottom left of the Bird map.
More information about the company can be found on their website (www.bird.co) and on their blog (www.bird.co/blog).
