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It was only a matter of time before electric scooters infiltrated the UK.
Today, the well-funded start-up Bird is launching a fleet of shareable electronic scooters in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. As part of the pilot project, the company offers scooters between 7 am and 9 pm anyone who travels between Stratford and Here East, a collaborating campus located in the middle of the park, also home to Bird's London office. Here is a map of the approved route:
Londoners or anyone who closely follows the wars of the scooter probably scratch their heads, because yes, electric scooters are illegal on British roads and sidewalks because of old English legislation. Under the Highway Act of 1835, the UK Department of Transportation (DfT) has classified electronic scooters as "motorized transporters", a type of vehicle that is permitted for use on private property.
To his credit, Bird seems to have found a loophole. Scooters will only run on private ground – Olympic Park – and if runners get off the road or on public property, the scooters tracked by GPS will shut down.
According to the information gathered, Bird, based in Santa Monica, had quarreled with the DfT since last year, while he was trying to penetrate the London market. It is unclear exactly how or where they will be able to embark in other parts of the city after this pilot project or if the DfT is considering amending its 200 year old law; we contacted Bird for more explanations.
Richard Corbett, head of Bird's UK office.
"One of the biggest problems facing modern cities is increasing congestion and air quality," said Richard Corbett, hired in May to oversee launch efforts in the UK, Ireland and the UK. the Nordic countries. "Bird's mission is to help solve these problems by getting people out of their cars and equipping them with eco-friendly, shareable electric scooters. We are really excited to launch the first electric scooter pilot project in the UK – we are helping to connect the Here East campus to Stratford. We really hope that people will try Bird in the Olympic Park and see the benefits it brings. "
The pilot is the first of its kind in London and Bird's scooters are the first electric scooters to arrive in the city.
Earlier this year, the company made its first European launch in Paris, as part of its first foray out of the US market. Bird has since marketed scooters in Brussels, Vienna, Zurich and Tel Aviv.
Founded in 2017 by the former Uber Vice President of Global Driver Growth, Travis VanderZanden, Bird now operates in more than 100 cities.
In September Bird had announced 10 million scooter rides since its launch about a year ago. Of $ 2 billion worth, the company raised more than $ 415 million in venture capital from Accel, Greycroft, CRV, Index Ventures, Upfront Ventures, Sequoia, Sound Ventures, Craft Ventures and others. .
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