E-scooter trial zone in Redditch expands due to huge demand

Micro-mobility operator Bird has expanded trial area to help those that need to take essential journeys, without adding to congestion or air pollution.

Bird launched its service in Redditch in October last year and thousands of people have been travelling around the town without the need for a car.

Riders in the town have travelled further than the distance from Redditch to Sydney on a Bird scooter.

Bird’s mission is to help make towns and cities more livable by helping to solve ‘the last mile’ problem, where journeys are too short for public transport to be efficient, but too long to walk.

Many of these journeys have traditionally taken place in cars adding to congestion and carbon emissions.

Bird says the expanded zone will enable even more residents to leave their cars at home and get about the town safely and conveniently.

The new operational zone includes Alexandra Hospital and Bird is currently offering free rides to NHS staff so they can get about while maintaining a social distance from others.

As part of the new zone expansion, when the lock down is over, Bird will host a number of safety events and helmet giveaways in Redditch.

Charlotte Bailey, General Manager of Bird UK said: “We’ve been blown away by how popular our service has been in Redditch with thousands of rides replacing trips that would otherwise have been taken by car.

"We’ve also seen a huge demand in areas outside our initial operational zone so we’ve worked closely with the council to be able to expand our operational zone and help even more residents get about without causing congestion or pollution.”

Councillor Matt Dormer, Leader of the Council, said: “We’re delighted with how the trial has gone so far and have had positive feedback from across the Redditch community.

"Bird has been a very collaborative partner so we’re pleased to be able help even more of our community get where they need to go without the need for a car.”