E-bikes and e-scooters may be the wave of the future – but that doesn’t mean the future is now for ride-sharing such devices.
The business model established by Bird Global certainly doesn’t indicate the future is now. And that’s one reason Jamestown may be playing it smart by ending its contract with Bird Bikeshare.
The company’s December bankruptcy announcement irrevocably changes the contract former Mayor Eddie Sundquist signed with Bird to bring the e-bikes and e-scooters to Jamestown last year. As much as Bird’s bankruptcy should allow the company to reorganize, one has to wonder how much support will come from a company that lost more than $430 million over the course of about two years. Those losses breed doubt about Bird’s ability to handle a lawsuit if anything happens on one of its scooters or bikes while increasing the possibility that someone sues the city to recoup their losses in case of serious injury.
Given the way we have seen some people ride e-bikes and e-scooters, is that a risk the city should take?
We say it isn’t.
That’s truly unfortunate for the local fleet manager who invested into storage space where the devices could be safely charged and who was counting on his investment last year paying off with a full spring and summer business this year. It’s a raw deal for Lance Weinert, who is trying to get the city to reconsider its decision. We would hope Weinert is able to either make a business happen without Bird’s help or that Bird would help Weinert recoup is local investment. After all, the company sought out Weinert to run its local fleet.
We don’t disagree with Weinert’s analysis of the local market for personal mobility devices. The proliferation of e-bikes and e-scooters before last year’s 58-day trial with Bird Bikeshare indicates a need for these machines. Filling that need can’t put the city at potential financial risk – and that’s why Mayor Kim Ecklund is probably making the smart decision here.
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This Is A Bad Time To Back Bird Scooters
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19.03.2024
E-bikes and e-scooters may be the wave of the future – but that doesn’t mean the future is now for ride-sharing such devices.
The business model established by Bird Global certainly doesn’t indicate the future is now. And that’s one reason Jamestown may be playing it smart by ending its contract with Bird Bikeshare.
The company’s December bankruptcy announcement irrevocably changes the contract former Mayor Eddie Sundquist signed with Bird to bring the e-bikes and e-scooters to Jamestown last........
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