MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Bird removes scooters as it works with City of Milwaukee on scooter-share program

Mary Spicuzza and Elena Weissmann

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Bird scooters have flown the coop but are expected to return.

After weeks of battling with city officials, the company agreed to remove its scooters from the streets of Milwaukee as both sides work to make the popular vehicles a permanent and legal fixture in the city.

Milwaukee officials and Bird announced Monday that the company is voluntarily pulling its scooters out of Milwaukee as they work together to set up a scooter-sharing program that would launch once scooters are officially legal under state law.

The city and company announced the development Monday in a news release, which also said they are working together to create scooter-sharing programs set to launch once e-scooters are officially legal under state law.

"They understand that there are state challenges here, and we are certainly willing and eager to work with them and any other interested parties to see what we need to do to make it clear that these scooters could be part of our transportation arsenal," Mayor Tom Barrett told the Journal Sentinel.

Scooter legalization in Wisconsin requires either clarification on the status of e-scooters from state officials or action from the Legislature and Gov. Scott Walker removing restrictions on e-scooters. Because the Legislature does not reconvene until January, Bird scooters could be off the streets for another five months or more.

"I wanted them to know that I like scooters, but I also am compelled to follow the state law as interpreted by our city attorney," Barrett said.

The agreement came as city officials were expected to start seizing and impounding Bird scooters.

Bird has ruffled feathers in other cities, including San Francisco, Nashville, Tennessee, Miami and Denver. Officials in both Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts, deemed the scooters illegal and Somerville started seizing Bird scooters last week.

Despite Bird's rough landing in Milwaukee, the company praised the city in its statement.

"Following a few weeks of productive conversations with city officials, our teams are joining forces so that Bird can be an affordable and environmentally friendly transportation option for the people of Milwaukee," said David Estrada, Bird's head of public affairs and chief legal officer.

Kirby Bridges (left) and Megan Garlington pose with the Bird scooters they were taking for an afternoon ride in Milwaukee.

"We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with Milwaukee city leaders and look forward to bringing Birds back to residents who have already come to enjoy and benefit from this new mode of transportation," he added.

Bird has also agreed to provide rider education and hold regular safety events in Milwaukee.

In the near future, Bird will also provide its "One Bird" and "Red, White and Bird" programs in Milwaukee.

"One Bird" eliminates the $1 base fee per ride for anyone currently enrolled in or eligible for a state or federal assistance program — thus "providing a way for everyone to ride Birds in their city," the website states.

"Red, White and Bird" eliminates the $1 base fee for members of the military and veterans.

The deal announced Monday comes on the heels of a heated dispute between the city and Bird.

Deputy City Attorney Adam Stephens declared the electric scooters illegal in a letter to the startup in late June. And on July 6, Milwaukee filed a lawsuit against Bird Rides Inc. and its founder, Travis Vanderzanden.

As both parties seem to have reached an agreement, it's not clear how the city's lawsuit against Bird will proceed.

Stephens could not be reached for comment Monday.