CLEVELAND -- Bird scooters are voluntarily stopping their Cleveland operations for now.
“We have had productive conversations with Councilman Kerry McCormack and community members, and are hopeful that we will be able to collaborate with the City on their permitting process so that Bird can be a reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation option for the community,” a Bird spokesperson says.
This comes as Cleveland State University issued a ban on the electric scooters this week.
Meanwhile, the city of Cleveland sent Bird a letter earlier this month asking them to remove their scooters because the company didn’t obtain permits to place property on city sidewalks.
At the time, Bird released a statement of its own saying they’ve submitted the proper paperwork and hope to help improve transportation in Cleveland:
Bird scooters are helping cities meet their ambitious goals of reducing carbon emissions and cutting car traffic. We are encouraged to see the people of Cleveland embrace our vehicles, and are hopeful that Bird will help the city continue to thrive.
Bird has submitted the necessary paperwork to operate as a business in Cleveland. We have reached out to local officials and look forward to working with the city of Cleveland to develop a framework that permits our affordable and convenient transportation option."
So far it appears no scooters have been impounded by the city, as many are still available in the app. But who knows when that may change.
Bird is an Uber-like system that allows riders to rent a scooter. You’re charged based on the distance traveled and time you have possession of the scooter.