New Bird Community Safety Zones Offer Added Pedestrian Protection

Bird is working with cities to extend our network of geofenced slow-riding zones. 

Dubbed Community Safety Zones, these new areas will go a step further than currently required speed zones, focusing on additional centers of high pedestrian activity starting with schools.

Bird scooters passing through these new Community Safety Zones will automatically reduce their maximum allowable speed to 8 MPH / 13 KPH and trigger an in-app message explaining the reason for the deceleration. The areas will also be clearly visible on the in-app Bird service map, allowing riders to plan their routes accordingly. 

“It is fantastic when companies innovate to support community traffic safety,” said Jenn Fox of the Vision Zero Network. “Community Safety Zones can support localities working to improve safety for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. We’re impressed by the initiative and Bird’s efforts to listen to local communities and respond to community feedback.”

Our new Community Safety Zones will be piloted in Miami, Marseille and Madrid. Based on the results of these first programs, we’ll work with elected officials and community organizations over the coming weeks to implement new geospeed areas across all of Bird’s 250+ global partner cities, potentially expanding the program to include parks and shopping centers.

Geofencing and Other Key Safety Benefits of Micromobility


Bird’s new Community Safety Zones highlight a key benefit offered by micromobility services: namely, their ability to self-enforce speed and parking restrictions.

Unlike cars and other heavy road vehicles where speeds can exceed 100 MPH and speed limits are dependent on individual drivers, scooters can be—and often are—remotely programmed to automatically slow down or even stop in designated areas throughout a city. This is all possible thanks to adaptable geofencing technology that Bird helped to pioneer for the micromobility industry. 

Similarly, with the help of technology such as our Safe Start checkpoint, late night riders can be prevented from unlocking a Bird scooter until they have verified that they are not under the influence and are OK to handle a vehicle. 

“Micromobility is an evolving industry. As cities work to integrate this popular personal transportation mode, we should also make use of safety features,” said Jenn Fox of the Vision Zero Network. “Bird’s Safe Start and Community Safety Zones are an example of technology initiatives that can support safe systems, respond to community concerns and solve mobility challenges at the same time.”

To learn more about how Bird is using technology to help keep riders and the public safe, subscribe to the Bird Cities Blog.