By Camryn Sanchez
Bird electric scooters have exploded in popularity over the past few weeks, and they could become a permanent Yonkers fixture.
According to Sam Cooper the Senior Manager of Government Partnerships at Bird, “Yonkers residents have taken more than 10,000 rides since the launch of the program in August.”
Through an app, riders can reserve a Bird scooter for one dollar, and ride for an additional 39 cents per minute. Buses and Ubers are currently operating in Yonkers, but for those being mindful of social distancing, these options are potential unappealing.
Bird scooters notably offer minimal risk of Covid-19. Only one person rides on each scooter, so risk of infection is extremely low for riders who wear masks and sanitize their handles. Covid-19 rates are currently rising in New York City, and the second wave is expected to be hard-hitting. Unlike taking a train or bus, Bird riders do not make contact with anyone to rent a scooter, and scooters can be reserved through the Bird app at any time without having to be returned to their original location.
Cooper says, “Yonkers’ embrace of shared e-scooters is also another strong indication that urban transportation is rapidly evolving in response to a coronavirus pandemic that has underscored the importance of sustainable, socially distant mobility options.”
Yonkers resident Hector Santiago is the admin of Facebook page Bird Scooters Yonkers, and says the scooters are “awesome!” He has noticed their popularity among teens in particular. “Some kids don’t have financial means to get to one side of the city, or to the YCMA or something, so they use these scooters. It’s also a good way for the parents to keep a measure on them, because the parent will rent it out on their phone and reserve it for that particular kid. So the parent kind of measures where the kid goes.”
However, Santiago hopes that safety precautions such as helmets are added. Currently, riders are expected to wear their own helmets, but this rule is not enforced. Fear of scooter related injuries is the reason that Bird scooters are currently banned in Manhattan. In Yonkers where the streets are less congested, scooters are so far quite safe. They have a speed cap of 15 miles per hour.
Bird is launching scooters only in west Yonkers as part of a one year long pilot program. If the scooters continue to be a success, the scooters will likely become a permanent Yonkers fixture. The expansion of Bird seems very likely. “We’re looking to expand to other areas of the city as well as other locations in Westchester,” Cooper states. “Bird is invested in giving all Yonkers residents access to affordable, carbon-free transportation alternatives. We’d love to work with the city to extend the program.”
