Electric scooters are invading. Bird's CEO leads the charge

Kerr, D. (2018, April 22). Electric scooters are invading. Bird's CEO leads the charge. Retrieved from c|net: https://www.cnet.com/news/the-electric-scooter-invasion-is-underway-bird-ceo-travis-vanderzanden-leads-the-charge/

Summary

This article is a review of the recent trend of electric scooters that have been popping up in major cities across the US. In particular, this article shows how quickly these modes of shared transportation sprang up, and how quickly they caught the attention of local regulators. In addition, this article is a good example of how the electric scooter companies worked with and around local regulations as part of their strategy to succeed.

Experience

Living near a city that was featured in the article, I have seen firsthand the issues brought to light regarding electric scooters. People riding too fast on crowded city sidewalks, leaving the scooters all over the place (often blocking the sidewalk), riding without helmets, etc. While I think their intent is good, the approach the companies are taking leaves a lot to be desired and they seem more interested in uptake of their product than public safety.

KEYWORDS: Scooter, law, strategy, lobbyists, regulations