City of Providence crafting policy for Bird electric scooters
By: Chloe Leshner
cleshner@abc6.com
@ChloeLeshner
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — There’s a new way to get around town after a California based company left "bird scooters" scattered around Providence and several other cities.
"I’ve never heard of it before! I don’t know if I’ve seen it I probably didn’t even realize it," says Clarissa Samuels.
It’s like Uber but with electric scooters. You download an app to see where the scooters are parked, scan your license and a bar code on the scooter and agree to the terms before the scooter turns on.
It’s only a dollar to start and 15 cents a minute.
"They seem economical. It’s a pretty good price so it’s definitely something I’d take advantage of," says John Caparco.
"That’s convenient instead of having to drive around with a big old car you can park anywhere that’s just simple to use," says Samuels.
The company dropped off the scooters without any notice and city officials say they’re working on crafting a policy around the use and operation of the electric scooters. Other cities aren’t so interested, Boston officials are asking the company to stay away and in Cambridge, they’re asking that the scooters not be parked on city streets until an agreement is reached.
Some Providence residents are excited to take a ride and are hoping they’re here to stay.
"I hope they get more of them," says Caparco.
(C) WLNE/ABC 6 2018
