Three Bird scooters await riders on First Avenue downtown this afternoon.
The Birds have arrived in Albany. The electric scooters, that is, that the California-based Bird company is making available for rent.
I first noticed a couple of the scooters waiting on the sidewalk in front of Fire Station 11 on Lyon Street this morning.
This afternoon I looked around and found nine of them. On my cell phone, the company app showed 10 scooters available downtown, so maybe one was in use and being ridden somewhere when I took my informal count.
In March, the city council approved an agreement with Bird to try the shared-scooter program in Albany for a year.
Riders must be 18 or older. One of the scooters I saw today had a warning printed on the frame: No riding on sidewalks. In general, though, the scooters can be used anywhere bicycles can go.
People can rent the scooters to ride within the city limits, as I understand it. They need a cell phone and the Bird company’s app to do so. Payment is made via a credit card number entered in the app when signing up.
I didn’t have time to try this myself today. If anyone has done so and wants to tell me about it, please do so in the comments below. (hh)
Two Bird scooters outside Growler’s on Third, across from City Hall.
These were at Fire Station 11. Two more were across the street, on Lyon, this morning.
Drivers and pedestrians beware! EMS will probably get busy for awhile.
I don’t believe the scooters are the best thing for the people of Albany—car drivers, bicycle riders, pedestrians or the scooter operators. There are already too many traffic issues and hazards in the downtown area. The addition of scooter traffic will only increase potential hazards.
I have used these in Austin, Tx and SLC, UT and they are awesome. Really convenient for getting around heavy traffic areas like downtown where parking can be limited. I would equate them to a bicycle as far as convenience goes but without the manual effort. Learning to use them was easy and I found them to be very fun! I am very excited to see we have brought these to Albany!
So, you rent the scooter and stop at a store and someone else comes along and takes your scooter while you are shopping or what?
I was wondering that too. If you’re renting it to run errands and you go in somewhere for quick minute and come back out and it’s gone. Then what do you do? Have to call a cab?
If you checked it in and ended your ride, someone else could take the scooter. If you kept it checked out while you shopped, you’d just ride home after shopping. You can also reserve a scooter 30 minutes ahead of time, so could conceivable return it, then reserve it for after your shopping.
Very cool! I can’t wait to try them out.
Coming in to the Carousel this morning, I passed one person driving one on Washington & see 3 parked across the street from the Carousel. Entrepreneurship is alive a well. :-)
Yech, I’ve seen several parked and my wife has seen a few being ridden (on the sidewalk and without helmets, of course). Something the council should be “proud” of (not!).
I’m very proud of Albany acquiring a new & perfectly legal business… That some users abuse their privilege is their problem.
Like horse-and-buggy, motor vehicles, and EVs the law has lots of experience assigning blame (responsibility) for accidents.
Traditional negligence principles apply.
Everyone should make certain they have good liability insurance.
And if you rent one and crash, just hire a good lawyer. They are drooling to identify & sue the responsible “somebody else”, including the city.
I’m curious if the city has rewritten the ordinance that restricted any motorized vehicles in the bike lane or on the sidewalk? I remember reading them when Segways came out (early 2000s)… but they don’t seem to be as readily accessible on the new city website.
Here you go… :-)
https://www.cityofalbany.net/police/safety/safety-on-the-road