The results are in, and Bird has been officially selected to operate in Chicago’s 2020 e-scooter pilot set to launch in early August.
The program was recommended by the City after the completion of 2019’s pilot program last October in order to “build on last year’s successes, implement lessons learned and test new solutions.” The renewed pilot will focus on expanding access to safe, reliable and equitable mobility options for all Chicago residents.
“We’re honored to have been selected by the great City of Chicago to provide sustainable, affordable micromobility access to millions of Chicagoans,” said Travis VanderZanden, founder and CEO of Bird. “As more major American cities turn to electric scooters to provide residents with a safe and socially distant means of personal transportation, Bird will continue to put our industry leading operational experience and vehicle expertise to work to help make these new micromobility programs a success.”
Chicago’s 2020 e-scooter pilot will permit Bird and two other selected micromobility operators to manage fleets of up to 3,300 vehicles each. Unlike 2019’s pilot, scooters will be allowed to be kept out overnight, providing Chicago residents with a safe and sustainable way to navigate the city after dark.
The decision comes on the heels of several other notable micromobility wins in key global markets, including the UK government’s approval of Bird scooters for use in city trials and New York City’s announcement that it will be launching an e-scooter pilot in the coming months.
To learn more about what sets Bird’s advanced vehicle engineering apart from other micromobility operators, click here.
