Bird has launched its first electric scooter pilot in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, marking a significant step in urban mobility.
The Bird app, available between 7am-9pm, allows users to unlock GPS-tracked scooters to travel within the park. Scooters power down outside designated areas.
Bird’s electric scooter pilot in London is the company’s first venture in the UK. This initiative provides a new, eco-friendly way to travel around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Richard Corbett, head of Bird in the UK, stated, ‘One of the biggest issues modern cities face is increasing congestion and decreasing air quality.’ Bird scooters aim to address these issues by encouraging car-free commuting.
The scooters will stop functioning if they move beyond the park’s boundaries, ensuring user safety and compliance with regulations.
Only individuals over 18 years of age are allowed to ride, and bird provides helmets to promote safety while riding.
Bird’s office is located at the innovation centre Plexal, situated within Here East, a hub for tech and creative industries.
Lyn Garner, CEO of the London Legacy Development Corporation, emphasised the park’s leading role in trialling future transportation solutions. Gavin Poole, CEO of Here East, described mobility as one of the most exciting sectors for digital disruption.
Bird’s integration into Here East complements the site’s vision of merging start-ups, corporations, and academic institutions to foster innovation.
Gavin Poole remarked on Here East’s potential to shape future transport chapters in London, with Bird fitting perfectly into its ecosystem.
Andrew Roughan, MD of Plexal, expressed excitement about Bird’s potential to solve urban challenges and improve travel experiences.
Bird’s collaboration with companies like Ford highlights its commitment to innovative transportation solutions.
As urban areas seek to reduce congestion and pollution, Bird scooters present a practical alternative for short-distance travel.
Bird’s move in London reflects a broader trend of cities embracing digital disruption in transport.
The app encourages responsible riding through safety features and guidelines, maintaining user responsibility as a key focus.
Bird’s promo code ‘BIRDLONDON’ offers riders £5 off their first journey, encouraging trial and adoption of this new transport mode.
Scooters are accessible and straightforward to use, enhancing urban connectivity. Their presence in the park offers a glimpse into future urban transport models.
Bird’s electric scooter initiative in London signifies a crucial advancement in sustainable urban transport.
The project illustrates a forward-thinking approach to tackling urban challenges, setting a precedent for other cities.