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Bird Global, Inc. is a micromobility company based in Miami, Florida, that offers short-term electric scooter rentals in over 400 cities. The company was founded in 2017 by Travis VanderZanden, a former executive at Lyft and Uber. Bird initially used the Xiaomi M365, which has since been replaced by the Xiaomi 1S. Bird has also incorporated other models such as the Segway Ninebot ES series and the custom-designed Bird Zero, a partnership with the Chinese company Okai.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Bird Global, Inc. |
| Founded | September 2017 |
| Founder | Travis VanderZanden |
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida |
| Business | Scooter sharing |
| Scooter Models | Xiaomi M365, Ninebot-Segway ES2, Xiaomi 1S, Bird Two, Bird Zero, Segway Ninebot ES series |
| Scooter Top Speed | 15-19 mph |
| Scooter Range | 15-40 miles |
| Scooter Price | $399-$750 |
| Scooter Features | Bright headlight, rear tail lights, cruise control, speed limit mode, standard mode, sport mode, energy recovery settings, front and rear suspension, solid rubber tires |
| Scooter Charging | Performed by gig workers, private contractors called Chargers |
| Safety Initiatives | "Helmet Selfie" feature incentivizing riders to wear helmets |
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What You'll Learn
- Bird Global, Inc. is a micromobility company based in Miami, Florida
- Bird scooters are charged by gig workers, who are private contractors
- The company has been involved in accidents and deaths, and has faced bans in some cities
- Bird's primary scooter brand is Xiaomi, specifically the M365 model
- Bird also uses the Segway Ninebot ES series and the custom Bird Zero model
Bird Global, Inc. is a micromobility company based in Miami, Florida
Bird initially used the Xiaomi M365, which has since been replaced by the Xiaomi 1S. The Xiaomi M365 was known for its sleek design and excellent performance, making it a popular choice among electric scooter enthusiasts. It had a top speed of 15mph and an advertised range of 18 miles, with some users reporting ranges upwards of 20+ miles on a single ride.
Following the Xiaomi M365, Bird added the Ninebot-Segway ES2 to its fleet, which features a battery in the stem and a shallower base. Bird has also commissioned bespoke scooters, the first being called the Bird Two. These scooters tend to be larger and heavier, designed to stay out on the street.
Bird's scooters are charged by gig workers, who are private contractors that sign up to become Chargers. The company provides these workers with charging equipment and pays them to charge scooters overnight, placing them at designated "nests" throughout the service area in the morning.
Bird has faced some challenges, including accidents and deaths involving its scooters, as well as financial difficulties that led to its acquisition by Third Lane Mobility in April 2024 to avoid bankruptcy. Despite these setbacks, Bird continues to be a prominent player in the micromobility industry, providing convenient and eco-friendly transportation options in cities worldwide.
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Bird scooters are charged by gig workers, who are private contractors
Bird is a brand of electric scooters that are available for rent in many cities worldwide. The scooters are part of a dockless sharing system, where users can locate and unlock scooters via a mobile app. The scooters are then used to
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The company has been involved in accidents and deaths, and has faced bans in some cities
Bird Global, Inc. is a micromobility company based in Miami, Florida, that offers short-term electric scooter rentals in over 400 cities. The company has been involved in several accidents and deaths, mainly due to collisions with cars, reckless behaviour, infrastructure issues, and failure to follow traffic rules.
In one instance, a 54-year-old man in San Diego lost control of his Bird scooter and crashed into a tree, resulting in his death. In another incident, a 5-year-old boy in Oklahoma fell off a scooter and was fatally struck by a car. While the exact number of Bird scooter-related deaths is unknown, at least 29 people have died in e-scooter accidents between early 2018 and early 2020, with 11 of those occurring in the US.
Bird scooters have also faced bans and legal issues in several cities. Milwaukee initially banned Bird scooters when the company started operating without government permission, but later allowed them to operate after reaching a settlement in May 2019. Seattle has banned scooter shares, prohibiting the use of motorized foot scooters on sidewalks and bicycle lanes. Nashville's mayor also considered banning e-scooters due to safety concerns and the clutter they cause on sidewalks and roads.
Bird has faced lawsuits and criticism for poor infrastructure and scooter defects, with plaintiffs arguing that rental companies should ensure their scooters are in good working condition. The company has also been accused of overstating its revenue by recognizing unpaid customer rides from preloaded "wallet" balances as revenue. Despite these issues, Bird remains one of the biggest players in e-scooter sharing in Europe, alongside Lime.
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Bird's primary scooter brand is Xiaomi, specifically the M365 model
Bird Global, Inc. is a micromobility company based in Miami, Florida, that distributes electric scooters designed for short-term rental. The company was founded in September 2017 and has since expanded to over 400 cities. Bird is one of the two biggest players in the European e-scooter sharing market, alongside Lime.
While Xiaomi M365 is Bird's primary model, the company has also incorporated other models into its fleet. This includes the Segway Ninebot ES series, with the Ninebot ES2 being a popular choice in 2018 due to its combination of acceleration, top speed, and range. Bird also introduced bespoke scooters, such as the Bird Two, which are designed to stay out on the streets and may not be as suitable for private ownership due to their larger size and lack of a foldable design.
In addition to these models, Bird collaborated with the Chinese company Okai to design the Bird Zero scooter specifically for scooter-sharing services. The Bird Zero offers a top speed of 18 mph and an impressive range of up to 40 miles per charge, along with a durable frame and improved power and stability.
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Bird also uses the Segway Ninebot ES series and the custom Bird Zero model
Bird Global, Inc. is a micromobility company based in Miami, Florida, that distributes electric scooters designed for short-term rentals. The company has provided its services to over 400 cities. Bird initially used the Xiaomi M365, which was replaced by the Xiaomi 1S, the scooter model that Bird has been most associated with. This was followed by the introduction of the Ninebot-Segway ES2, which has a top speed of 15 mph and a range of 15 miles.
The Bird Zero model, designed in partnership with the Chinese company Okai, offers a top speed of 18 mph and a range of up to 40 miles per charge. This model features a durable frame and improved power and stability for a smoother riding experience. Bird's utilization of reputable brands like Xiaomi and Segway, along with their custom Bird Zero model, ensures that their customers have access to reliable and high-performing scooters for urban transportation.
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Frequently asked questions
Bird Global, Inc. is a micromobility company that provides electric scooters designed for short-term rental.
Bird Global, Inc. is based in Miami, Florida.
Bird Global, Inc. was founded in September 2017 by Travis VanderZanden, a former executive at Lyft and Uber.
The primary brand of electric scooter used by Bird is the Xiaomi M365 model, also known as the Xiaomi Mi scooter.
Yes, Bird has also incorporated other models such as the Segway Ninebot ES series, the Ninebot-Segway ES2, and the custom-designed Bird Zero in their fleets.
