Electric Scooters Still Available After City Asks Company to Suspend Service

Four days after the launch of Bird, an electric scooter share program, Indianapolis officials sent a letter Tuesday night asking the California-based company to suspend its service.

The letter, signed by Interim Director of the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services Brian Madison, says concerns were been raised by neighborhood groups, local business owners and the Office of Corporation Counsel.

As of Wednesday morning, the dockless scooters were still spotted downtown and can still be rented via the Bird app, created by Bird Rides Inc.

A pending city ordinance, submitted on April 9, would prohibit similar programs on the street, roadway or any other city-owned public rights-of-way. The Public Works committee will vote on the ordinance June 28, and it’s scheduled to go to the City-County Council on July 16.

Madison says the city asked Bird to voluntarily suspend operations while they establish guidelines around the service.

“Indianapolis wants to continue embracing innovative forms of transportation and tech, while also ensuring the safety of our residents and neighborhoods,” Madison says.

Indianapolis isn’t the only city to ask for regulations related to Bird. Nashville, Tennessee asked Bird to suspend their service only two days after launch. The city impounded nearly 400 scooters before the company agreed to suspend the service.

Bird officials have not responded with any details about the city’s request but released a statement Wednesday.

“Following Bird's availability in the city, people have rapidly adopted e-scooters as a new and accessible form of transportation,” says Bird spokesperson Kenneth Baer. “We look forward to continuing to serve our new Indy riders as we work with city leaders to create a regulatory framework that works best for the people of Indianapolis and helps them meet their goals."

Bird has fallen under scrutiny in some cities for causing sidewalks to become cluttered with abandoned scooters. The company now requires riders to take a photo of their scooter when the ride is over to assure it’s properly placed.