15 things to know about those new 'Bird' scooters riding around San Antonio

1. Bird, an electric scooter rental service, landed in San Antonio on June 22. 1. Bird, an electric scooter rental service, landed in San Antonio on June 22. Photo: S. M. Chavey / San Antonio Express-News Photo: S. M. Chavey / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 54 Caption Close 15 things to know about those new 'Bird' scooters riding around San Antonio 1 / 54 Back to Gallery

San Antonians gained a new means of transportation last week: electric scooters.

The scooters, called "Birds," began appearing on streets early Friday morning as the Los Angeles-based company Bird became the first electric scooter company to land in San Antonio.

"As San Antonio rapidly grows and develops, it's clear there's an urgent need for additional transportation options that are accessible, affordable, and reliable for all residents and local communities. Birds are a great solution for short 'last-mile' trips that are too long to walk, but too short to drive," a Bird spokesman said in an email.

Riders can access Bird through their smartphones. They find the most conveniently-located scooters through the app, ride them to their destinations, and park them out anywhere — ideally at bike racks and out of the way of public pathways.

RELATED: Electric scooter startup Bird reportedly raises $150 million, making it the first $1 billion scooter startup

Riders are encouraged to use the streets and bike lanes rather than sidewalks.

At the end of the day, Birds are picked up and charged. The next morning, they're replaced to their "nests," which are private properties that are easily accessible to the public.

Since Bird launched in the fall of 2017, riders have logged more than one million rides, the company said.

But the company has also run into its fair share of problems.

Residents of other Bird cities have complained about safety issues with people riding Birds and have said that they're often parked in inconvenient locations, such as in front of stores or in the middle of sidewalks.

In Austin, the Birds were pulled from the city shortly after their launch when the city passed an emergency ordinance threatening to impound some scooters, according to the Austin American-Statesman. They’ve since returned, but they’re regulated.

S. M. Chavey is a staff writer for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here. | sarah.chavey@express-news.net | 210-250-3122 | Twitter: @smchavey

