MINNEAPOLIS - Bird scooters have arrived in the Twin Cities, but the question remains, can you actually ride them?
They're similar to Nice Ride's bike sharing program but instead of bright, green bikes, these are black, electric scooters. They also don't have a docking station -- which has caused complaints in other cities.
The Minneapolis City Council held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss an ordinance to allow "low power vehicles" within the city limits, after the electric scooters arrived earlier that day. However, under current state and local regulations, it seems riders are able to use the scooters immediately.
The city may draft an additional ordinance to map out specifics.
The dock-free electric scooters are available in parts of downtown Minneapolis and north Minneapolis, plus downtown St. Paul and Frogtown. Bird officials say as ridership grows, they will adjust the number of scooters available, as well as their locations.
The company states in a press release, "In the Twin Cities, it's clear there's an urgent need for additional transit options that are accessible, affordable and reliable for all residents and local communities."
They say their mission is to replace short trips typically taken by car or bus to reduce traffic and congestion and cut carbon emissions.
Bird scooters have popped up in other cities, such as Scottsdale, AZ, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Austin and Milwaukee, Wis. Reviews from some of those cities range from positive feedback on the ease of use and the affordability to frustrations from people who see them left throughout the city, riding them while intoxicated, or without helmets, and crashing into parked vehicles.
Once approved in the city, riders can use the scooters by downloading their app, unlocking the scooter, starting the Bird, taking your ride and then locking the scooter again through the app. Each ride starts at around $1 (or 15 cents a minute). Users are also encouraged to bring and wear their own helmets.