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Board grants Bird the city license for shared scooters and e-bikes; staff to monitor fleet and usage
Summary
The Board approved an annual license allowing Bird to operate shared electric scooters and e-bikes in Bloomington. Staff said Bird currently has 500 units deployed and will add 200 by Oct. 1 to meet a 700-unit requirement; staff outlined reporting, enforcement and measures such as corrals and fines to address sidewalk parking and accessibility.
The Board of Public Works on Sept. 9 approved a micro-mobility license application that will allow Bird to operate shared electric scooters and e-bikes in the city under a one-provider arrangement.
Jeff Jackson of the Department of Economic and Sustainable Development recommended awarding Bird another annual license. Jackson reported that Bird logged just over 58,000 e-scooter trips and just over 5,000 e-bike trips in the last year (about 9% of trips on e-bikes), and that Bird currently has about 500 units deployed and plans to add 200 more by Oct. 1 to reach the 700-unit deployment required in the application. The application and resolution include a target split of 700 total devices with a ratio of 455 e-scooters and 245 e-bikes, according to staff discussion.
Board members asked about sidewalk accessibility complaints and enforcement. Jackson said the city receives usage data monthly and that parking enforcement has issued more than 350 fines since the start of the year for improperly parked devices; staff said downtown corrals and geofencing have reduced downtown parking issues, while occasional problems still occur outside corral areas. Jackson also said Bird participates in safety outreach, holds events, gives away helmets and provides demo rides as part of its safety obligations.
The board voted by roll call—Carone, Roach and Cox Deckard voting Aye—to approve the license and associated resolution. No public comments were recorded on the item at the meeting.
