Columbia, Bird come to ‘working’ agreement

The city of Columbia has a tentative agreement with Bird, the electric scooter company.

The agreement involves Bird paying the city $1 per day, per scooter, according to Deputy City Manager J.J. Musgrove. The city would also collect a regulatory fee from the company, as well as a fee for public maintenance of city streets and sidewalks. The company would also be responsible for sending safety information to its users, and requiring its workers to make sure scooters are placed in the right spots throughout the day.

“People that are on the ground here that make sure the Birds, the scooters are deployed correctly, that are not in the right of way and are not blocking ADA access [to sidewalks and buildings],” Musgrove said.
City leaders have been negotiating with Bird since the California-based company dropped off hundreds of its rental electric scooters this summer. Residents have complained about the scooters being left in public rights of way, on private property and blocking sidewalk ramps for people with disabilities.

Musgrove said the agreement is subject to approval by the city council, and the soonest date for a vote is Nov. 19.

Musgrove said provisions in the 13-page agreement would allow the city to impound some scooters if they are left in places where they are not allowed. How much the company would be charged to get the scooters back, and which departments would be paid for that work, were still not decided, Musgrove said.

The payments for the number of scooters would come to the city quarterly, Musgrove said, but how those payments would be used by the city would be up to the city council. Musgrove said he and staff would recommend they go toward street and sidewalk repairs, replacing old bicycle racks or putting toward its public transit division.

“There are a lot of things left to be worked out, but those seem to be like-minded things that this would be a nice opportunity for new revenue to go into,” Musgrove said.

The agreement also restricts use of the scooters after dusk and during inclement weather.

A Bird spokesperson said the company was happy with the progress made so far with the city.

“Since Bird first landed in Columbia, we have been thrilled to see the community embrace our affordable, environmentally friendly transportation option,” the company said. “We are grateful for the partnership we have built with Musgrove and other city officials, as Columbia implements its new framework for our last-mile solution.”