"A few weeks ago, I had not noticed any electric scooters in SF. Now you can't exit a building without tripping over one," M.G. Siegler, a general partner at Google Ventures, tweeted.
It's true. Three startups — Bird, Lime, and Spin — rolled out hundreds of motorized scooter rentals in downtown San Francisco in the span of a few weeks. They're everywhere.
Some people have commended the scooter startups for giving people a cheap, easy way to get around while reducing their reliance on cars and easing congestion on public transit.
I left my office building in downtown San Francisco and found three scooters (all "Birds") located just outside the entrance.
Honestly, this thing just looks fun to ride. It's a stand-up vehicle like the Razor scooter that I cruised around on as a kid. But the Bird scooter is tricked out with a motor and a battery.
After downloading the app and creating a login, a map appeared showing me nearby Birds. The closer I zoomed in, the more detail I could make out — like each scooter's battery charge.
When you find a Bird near you, you tap the button to unlock it. The app prompts you to snap a photo of the scooter's QR code and (on your first rental) scan your driver's license.
The scooter responded to the lightest touch. There were a few lurches in the beginning as I learned how to handle the acceleration, and I was glad to be in an alley away from traffic.
Almost immediately, I understood the appeal of Bird. It was fast, fun, and easy to maneuver, though I didn't feel comfortable turning corners. Instead, I applied the brake and peddled.
In an active construction area with uneven pavement and loose gravel, the Bird handled the road like it was skating on ice. The extra-wide tires provided a smooth, comfortable ride.
The footboard had some reminders: State law requires scooter riders to wear a helmet. You must be over the age of 18, have a valid driver's license, and ride one person at a time.
Seeing as I didn't have a helmet, I stayed in my comfort zone: The alley. Bird has been giving away free helmets to active riders since February, and I placed an order after my ride.
The helmet actually costs $1 to cover the cost of shipping.
To end the ride, I opened the app and tapped the button to lock the scooter. The app showed me a ride time of 13 minutes and a cost of $2.95 — a fraction of what my typical Uber ride costs.
Do I still find the scooters littering out streets annoying? Yes. I would like to see the city create regulations that dictate where the scooters can be left and how many are allowed.
Meanwhile in San Francisco...
I have a sneaking suspicion that people don’t like those #scooters
Photo Courtesy: @SimplyMoe415 @instagram pic.twitter.com/O8HBgJgqPt
Go home #scooter you’re drunk! pic.twitter.com/HZQ58aCDyI
— Stanley Roberts (@SRobertsKRON4) April 7, 2018