Bird — a California-based company that’s less than a year old — arrived in Raleigh this week with more than 150 electric scooters. The scooters can reach a speed of 15 miles per hour and are dockless, meaning they can be picked up and left in any public spaces. It’s a concept similar to the bright green Lime bikes you see on N.C.
First things first, download the Bird app (called “Bird — Enjoy The Ride”) from the app store. Then use the map function to find a nearby scooter. The app also shows the battery percentage for each of the scooters in the map area. You can also report a bird lost or make it “chirp” to set off a little beep to help find it.
Sorta. The rules that riders agree to in the beginning state that the vehicle can’t be parked on private property, in a locked area or in another non-public space. You’re asked to keep the scooters out of walkways, driveways, access ramps and fire hydrants.
Riders are responsible for any injuries or medical costs that occur while riding the scooters, according to the waiver riders agree to at the beginning. The rider is also responsible for seeing if weather conditions are bad enough to prevent riding.
Bird and other electric scooter companies have a habit of appearing in cities without warning and for not always following the permitting or approval process. Earlier this summer, San Francisco banned Bird and two other electric scooter companies because they were operating without the proper permitting.
Jump on the RLine, Raleigh’s free downtown circulator bus service that features hybrid electric buses connecting you to restaurants, retail, entertainment venues, museums, hotels + parking facilities in downtown Raleigh.
Craig Makepeace is the co-founder and publisher of This Is Raleigh. Originally from Australia, he first moved to Raleigh in 2004 and fell in love with the city of oaks. He's a travel addict, sports fanatic, beach lover, and passionate craft beer drinker!
Raleigh is predominantly a driving city. You won’t find a train system here like in big cities such as New York City or Chicago, but otherwise getting around Raleigh is easy.