Bird Tapped to Launch New York’s First Electric Scooter Pilot in August

Bird will be the first e-scooter operator to launch in New York.

Just 10 miles northeast of Manhattan, the historic city of Yonkers, NY has tapped Bird to spearhead the first shared electric micomoriblity pilot in the state. Our inaugural fleet of Bird Two scooters is set to roll out in August, less than two months after the New York City Council gave the green light to electric micromobility vehicles. 

“Yonkers’ dedication to micromobility is unparalleled, and Bird is honored to serve in the first e-scooter pilot program both here and in New York State,” said Rebecca Hahn, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at Bird. “Like so many New Yorkers, Yonkers residents are adopting more socially-distant transportation habits in the wake of COVID-19. We’re looking forward to providing a safe and sustainable way for them to stay mobile and support local businesses as the city continues to recover and rebuild.” 

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is no stranger to following through on commitments to safety and sustainability. The city was one of the first in New York to embrace dockless bike sharing, and now will become the first in the state to welcome shared electric scooters nearly three years after the first Birds were launched in Santa Monica in September 2017.

“Yonkers is pleased to once again lead the way as a progressive city in offering smart, emission-free transportation solutions for our community,” said Mayor Spano. “Partnering with Bird will provide residents and visitors the opportunity to travel our city with ease and convenience all while being affordable, reliable and fun.”

The news comes amid a series of other notable micromobility announcements. On Thursday, Chicago selected Bird to operate in the city’s 2020 micromobility program, while earlier in July the UK government officially approved our Bird One electric scooters for use in city trials, paving the way for Bird’s first UK launch since our scooters were first ridden in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2018.