Tag: #escooters

Bird Gears up for Irish Launch with $150m Investment in European Business. #MicroMobility #Escooters #EVS

Leading micro mobility operator Bird has today announced that it plans to operate in Ireland once legislation is passed. The company is investing $150m into its European business, to help cities remain car free as they start to ease restrictions following the pandemic. This investment will be used to open safe, sustainable micro mobility programmes in more than 50 new European locations, including towns and cities throughout Ireland.

The announcement comes as Bird ramps up engagements in Ireland with local councils, businesses and civil society organisations throughout the country. Bird has ambitious plans for Ireland and hopes to be operational not only in larger cities like Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, but also smaller cities and larger towns throughout the country.

Bird is the largest, most experienced and best-funded micro mobility operator yet to signal intentions for operating in Ireland. The planned $150m investment indicates the level of commitment which the company puts on the European region, including Ireland.

The investment will see Bird streamline its offer to local cities and customers, with new market-leading technologies. For example, once launched in Ireland, Bird will be able to provide new mobility products and safety initiatives and implement the next generation of recycling and second life applications for vehicles. The company will also be investing in industry-leading equity programmes and securing partnerships across the region designed to improve transportation for all Europeans, including those in Ireland.

To manage the Irish operations, former EMEA Expansion Lead Charlotte Bailey has been appointed General Manager of Bird UK & Ireland. Speaking about the European investment and Bird’s plans for Ireland, Bailey said: “Everyone at Bird is  really excited about this significant investment we’re making in our European business and the progress Ireland is making towards shared micro mobility. We’ve got big plans for Ireland and hope to operational not only in cities like Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, but also smaller cities and large towns throughout the country”.

As part of its investment, Bird is also introducing new Ride Pass products to give people even more reasons to leave their cars at home. These Ride Pass options, which would be available to Irish customers once launched, include:

  • Daily Unlimited Rides Pass
  • Monthly Unlimited Rides Pass
  • Monthly Unlimited Unlocks Pass
  • 3-Month Unlimited Unlocks Pass

To further push Bird’s European mission Irishman Brendan O’Driscoll has taken up the role of Head of Product, Growth and Data and will oversee Bird’s global product strategy and implementation. Ex-Boston Consulting Group Managing Director Renaud Fages is also taking the reins as Head of Global operations to help cement Bird’s European market leading position. Bird will double its footprint in the region over the spring and summer by launching in more than 50 new cities across Europe and increasing its fleet size in existing ones.

Speaking following the investment and about the Irish launch plans, Brendan O’Driscoll, Global Head of Product at Bird said: “I’ve been excited for years about the prospect of helping to bring Bird and shared micro mobility home to Ireland. Once legislation is passed in Ireland, promoting e-scooter access and encouraging routine micro mobility use will absolutely critical as we slowly lift pandemic restrictions and businesses begin to reopen. By simplifying our Global Ride Pass features and adding new pricing plans based on rider needs, Irish customers would be getting Bird’s very best customer offering.”

FREE NOW to partner with e-scooter operator TIER enabling people to book e-scooters. #TIER #Escooters #FREENOW

The leading multi-mobility platform FREE NOW has partnered with micro-mobility operator TIER, meaning people in Ireland could soon book e-scooters through the FREE NOW app. The partnership will initially launch in eight German cities next month, followed by France before a wider European roll-out, which both companies plan will include Ireland, should TIER be successful in launching an e-scooter rental scheme in one or more Irish cities.

A recent passenger survey revealed growing demand for multi-mobility options among FREE NOW passengers in Ireland, with 59% saying they would like to see additional mobility options available in the app. In response to this demand FREE NOW is progressing plans to add more mobility options to the app, starting with e-scooters and partnering with TIER and other mobility providers as legislation comes into effect.

The partnership follows the Government’s recent announcement that it will legalise e-scooters on roads, with the legislation expected to be passed in the coming months, followed by city tenders. TIER, which recently won highly prized tenders in Paris and Dubai, will partner with FREE NOW in all common markets, with both companies united in their mission to improve urban mobility and reduce dependency on car ownership.

Anyone booking a TIER e-scooter through the FREE NOW app will get the benefit of industry- leading safety features which minimise the risks to riders and the public, including an integrated helmet, indicator lights, shock absorbers and the largest front wheel in the market to better handle varied terrain. They also have triple brakes and a double kickstand which help TIER to lead the sector when it comes to stopping-distance and wind resistance.

Commenting on the announcement, General Manager for FREE NOW Ireland Niall Carson said: “Our new partnership with TIER is another key milestone in the growth of FREE NOW’s multi mobility offering to passengers in cities across Europe. In the Irish market, we welcome this announcement and are working closely with TIER and other leading micro-mobility providers to offer passengers a broader range of transport options in the future. Already in other markets such as Germany and soon in France, we have a mix of taxis, e-scooters, e-bikes, e-mopeds and car sharing on the FREE NOW app, offering a more integrated approach and we look forward to expanding this further in Ireland. We are proud to be working with partners such as TIER who have a strong track record of success with a clear focus on safety, which is of critical importance to us.

Fred Jones, Northern Europe General Manager of TIER, commented: “We are on a mission to transform urban mobility and to do that, we need brilliant global partners, like FREE NOW, who share our vision for greener, less congested cities. 

“This partnership is a major milestone for TIER and we are hugely excited at the potential prospect of rolling out the feature in Ireland, so that Irish riders can have the convenience of booking a ride with the press of a button through the FREE NOW Ireland app.” 

Founded in 2018, TIER  was the first micro-mobility provider in the world to go climate-neutral, and its sustainable approach also applies to its business model, with the company reaching profitability in June 2020, shortly before securing a $250 million Series C fundraising.

Stay safe in the saddle this winter with these e-bike safety tips. #Ebikes #Cycling

In the past six months e-bikes sales have boomed. The restrictions have seen many people turn to electric bikes as an alternative way to travel to work or move around town as safely as possible. Now, many have discovered the joy and flexibility e-bikes bring and plan to carry on using them in the autumn and winter as restrictions come back into play. 

 

But how can riders best keep themselves safe during darker, wet, colder days where hazards such as leaves and snow can make the roads more dangerous? Adrien Roose, CEO and founder of Cowboy offers seven tips to ensure riders keep safe as the weather changes. 

 

Use your head: Helmets are without question essential for safety on the road and in winter are more vital than ever. Unfortunately, many are still riding without any head protection – as shown in a study by Statista and YouGov. But there really is no excuse.  There is a great range available including smart helmets which look stylish and offer great features such as integrated lighting, turn signals and bluetooth connections. These features not only offer rider convenience and style but also increase safety. 

 

Stand out: Rain and early twilight can cause poor visibility amongst road users. In order to be seen clearly it’s essential to have functional lighting. Electric lights and reflectors for the rear and front as well as for the pedals and spokes are a must have. When selecting a bike, look for those that have thought of winter riding and use features such as flashing to indicate braking. 

 

Maintain the brakes: Salt, dirt and moisture can damage the brake material. A quick check up before each ride to ensure the pads have a good grip as well as regular cleaning of the hydraulic disk brakes will keep riders safe in traffic. It’s important to note that brake pads and rims are marked to show the level of usage.

 

Keeping the chain smooth: Water as well as road dirt increases abrasion of the chain, which ultimately leads to squeaking and corrosion. So make sure you are regularly cleaning it with either warm water or a chain cleaner. Some e-bikes, such as the Cowboy, are equipped with a carbon belt drive that is maintenance-free for up to 30,000 kilometers. 

 

Keep batteries away from the cold: At temperatures below 10 °C special care is required for the cells: If possible it is recommended to take them inside with you into your home or workplace. If you are not using your bike for a long period of time, the battery should be stored in a dry place between 10 °C – 20 °C and recharged once every 1-2 months to ensure a charging level of approx. 60-80% and to prevent it draining completely. Choose a bike with a removable battery like the Cowboy 3 to keep it protected without having to store the whole frame. 

 

Improving traction: If you plan to ride your electric bike outdoors all autumn and winter, you should either mount special winter tires or slightly reduce the tire pressure for a better surface contact which will increase the traction. For a puncture free ride, tires with a high-performance protective layer are also useful. With new tires it is essential to pay attention to their size in combination with the mudguards. Our tires are designed to withstand all weather conditions and are puncture resistant making them ideal for any season. 

 

Take advantage of the features: Software developments mean that it’s sophisticated enough to now help users keep as safe as possible. The App has a great array of features including the recently launched ‘Crash Detection’ which means that if you are involved in a crash then an emergency contact is notified of your location if you fail to respond to the app asking if you’re ok. This is a great feature to give both the rider and family peace of mind.

FREE NOW welcomes Minister’s commitment to legalise e-scooters in 2021. #escooters #transport

FREE NOW, Ireland’s largest taxi app, has welcomed the Minister for Transport’s commitment to legislate for e-scooters in 2021. 

Minister Eamon Ryan said this week in the Dáil that he intends to legislate for e-scooters in 2021 as outlined in the Programme for Government by identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation, and that his officials have commenced work on drafting the necessary changes. This has been an ongoing issue for escooter users for some time now and needs to be addressed quicker in my opinion however we wont be constantly banging the same drum on it a keep posting it day in day out.

The Minister’s comments come following the launch of a new Mobility Series, led by FREE NOW, which brings industry leaders together to push key issues and opportunities for Ireland relating to sustainable mobility. The first event in the series earlier this month focused on e-scooters in the Covid-19 world, and the steps that need to be taken in order for Ireland to catch up with its European neighbours to offer more diverse transport options across the country.

 

Chair of the Mobility Series, Fiona Brady, Head of Operations at FREE NOW said: “We are extremely pleased to see the Minister’s commitment to legislate for e-scooters next year.   We are very open to working with the Minister and his departmental officials to help develop the necessary legislation as expediently as possible, drawing from our extensive experience inputting into policy where we provide this service in other countries ”

“The legislation, and clarification on vehicle classification, will allow for the safe operation and interaction of e-scooters with other road users. E-scooters allow for a socially-distanced way of getting around that is very suited to the public transport challenges of the pandemic, as well as offering a more environmentally-friendly, affordable way to travel that reduces carbon emissions and traffic congestion.  A recent survey of our customers found that almost 70% of those interviewed are now more environmentally-aware when making decisions on how to travel since the pandemic began. We want to see E-scooters available for use from next Summer.”

It is now almost one year since the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport ran a public consultation on Personal Powered Transporters.

Other members of the Mobility Series focused on e-scooters included Zipp, Zeus Scooters and CoMO UK.  The next event in the Mobility Series will be held at the beginning of November and will focus on electric vehicles

Innovation in Irish transport lagging behind our European counterparts, new mobility grouping claims

Ireland is lagging behind its European neighbours when it comes to creating and regulating new, innovative transport modes like e-scooters, a new mobility grouping has said. This is something myself I have an issue with as there is still no answer going forward for users who can be fined for using effective transport especially in these challenging times right now and when we should be using public transport as a last resort, I too own an electric scooter but there is a grey area that has not been fixed yet and going on too long now and needs to be addressed NOW.

The comments come as FREE NOW, Ireland’s largest e-hailing app, launched a new Mobility Series aimed at bringing together a range of stakeholders from across the sector to discuss the key issues and opportunities for Ireland to become a leader in joined-up, sustainable mobility that helps cities flow and reduces reliance on private car ownership.

The first event in the series brought mobility industry leaders together and focused on e-scooters in the Covid-19 world, and the steps that need to be taken in order for Ireland to catch up with its European neighbours in order to offer micro-mobility across the country.

Speakers included other Irish e-scooter operators: Zipp’s VP Growth & Government Affairs, Will O’Brien and Zeus Scooters’ COO, David O’Reilly as well as Richard Dilks, CEO of CoMO UK, a charity that focuses on the public benefit of shared transport and has worked closely with industry and Government on the trials in the UK.

The key recommendations from across the group include:

  • Learning from other countries such as the UK, Germany and Australia who have already legalised e-scooters or undertaken e-scooter trials – these can highlight successes and mistakes to learn from.
  • The introduction of e-scooter trials in a range of locations in Ireland – both big cities and smaller towns in order for lessons to be learnt in a range of settings. There needs to be several trials, not just one.
  • The need for operators and local authorities to focus on ensuring other road users and non E-scooter users are considered, for example when it comes to parking through the use of geofencing technology to ensure compliance.
  • The use of private e-scooters to be reviewed separately to organisations that can provide e-scooters as part of the transport network. Operator schemes allow for more safety and traceability.
  • A focus on training for first-time users to tackle any safety concerns.
  • E-scooters can help create a modal shift, and move people away from private car journeys, helping with city congestion and the environment while contributing to the road to zero carbon.
  • For authorities to have a joined up approach for e-scooters and other modes of transport to create a truly integrated, sustainable, transport system

Chair of the Mobility Series, Fiona Brady, Head of Operations at FREE NOW said: “The Mobility Series has been set up to bring together key stakeholders to discuss the pivotal topics within the transport sector. It is really important that these issues are not forgotten amidst the pandemic chaos of 2020. In the context of Covid-19, we need our cities and towns to move in a more sophisticated way more than ever and we are lagging behind our European neighbours on key opportunities to do so, such as the regulated introduction of  e-scooters into our mobility ecosystem.

“We have set up this Series to drive discussion but also to ignite real change.  We at FREE NOW will continue to call on the Government to prioritise the legislation for e-scooter trials as soon as possible. Scooters allow for the socially-distanced transport that is appropriate for the pandemic, and trials in countries such as the UK, where the first trials started just 9 days after legislation was passed, are accelerating – we need to see more action here.”

The next event in the Mobility Series will be held at the beginning of November and will focus on electric vehicles. A recent survey of FREE NOW passengers showed that almost 70% of people are now more environmentally-aware in their day-to-day routines, including when making decisions on how to travel, since COVID-19.

Mobility companies say programme commitment to legislate for e-scooters should be urgent priority in new government #escooters

A group of major mobility providers in Ireland have written to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party to welcome the commitment in the Programme for Government to legislate for e-scooters, but have also called for a radical rethink in how Ireland manages transport.

FREE NOW, Lime, Bleeperbike, Zip Mobility and Zeus have said any new incoming government must make legislation for e-scooters and other forms of Powered Personal Transporters (PPT) an immediate priority in the wake of COVID-19.

In an open letter sent to the leaders of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party, the providers highlighted the need to radically rethink how Ireland manages transport and the requirement for new forms of micro mobility: “Now, more than ever, we can encourage a shift into alternative forms of transport. Other countries have made the deployment of micro-mobility a key step in supporting their re-opening, it is time for Ireland to do the same. COVID-19 has changed how people will travel and many are seeking alternatives that allow social distancing. E-scooters and other forms of micro-mobility can support this.”

Image by Christian Bueltemann from Pixabay

Alan Fox, General Manager of FREE NOW said: “We have brought together the major mobility providers in Ireland and are calling on any incoming government to prioritise the legislation of e-scooters and other micro mobility as a matter of urgency. While we welcome the commitments made in the new Programme for Government, we urge any incoming government to make this legislation a top priority. Ireland needs to radically rethink how we manage the traditional transport modes such as buses and trains to reduce clustering of commuters at peak times.  Taxi drivers have been working throughout the pandemic to get essential workers to where they need to be. Taxis will continue to offer the potential to transport passengers in an effective, socially-distanced way, but we now see people looking for greater mode diversity and alternatives to public transport as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We need to offer alternative modes of transport that enable people to get around without putting more private cars on the streets, which would ratchet up congestion again and increase harmful carbon emissions. Now is the time for any new government to allow for more choice and encourage people to leave their cars at home and use e-bikes, e-scooters and other forms of micro mobility.”   

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport ran a public consultation on Personal Powered Transporters (PPTs) last year, but no recent progress has been made to introduce new legislation that would permit the use of e-scooters in Ireland. The commitment to legislate for e-scooters was included in the recently-announced Programme for Government.

The mobility providers also said in the letter that: “We believe that we can help people travel responsibly and we will help usher in the return of economic activity. This is a great opportunity for a new government to encourage passengers to get out of private cars and onto bikes, scooters and other forms of micro-mobility.” 

Electric scooters, an efficient and carbon-friendly transport mode that is tailor-made for the new socially-distanced normal, are already an integral part of the transport mix in many European countries like Germany and France that are easing restrictions with measured transport circulation.