Flying north, parallel to Central Park, the flock slowed in a loose formation. I lost sight of the fledglings while continuing home on Tenth Street. These particular Birds (aka rentable electric scooters) have been much more dependable than the real feathered variety when I have attempted to spy one while riding to work.
Like robins, the blue-accented scooters began appearing in Alliance as a harbinger of spring months ago. A scattering here and there at first, the conveyances now appear to number upwards of a few dozen. I am only an amateur Bird watcher, so my estimate may be off. The person or persons charged with wrangling the scooters constantly move them between locations throughout town. A few weeks ago, the fountain served as a popular spot with six or more Birds ready and waiting.
Electric scooters are fun and environmentally friendly. I first noticed this business model a number of years ago near downtown in Denver. The company, BCycle, had installed racks with shiny red bicycles for a paid bike share network in that city. I have been passed on the sidewalk in the Mile High City since then by families riding shared scooters. Last month, riding with my brother through Wichita, I noticed a large presence of Birds in one part of the community and a rival brand in another.
As the weather has warmed and school let out for the summer, ridership has risen significantly in Alliance. Adults and young people, with and without helmets, buzz down the streets and sidewalks among the usual human-powered assortment of smaller scooters, cyclists, dog (and non-dog) walkers, joggers and runners. Birds, with bright headlights, show up well at night. I have yet to hear of any significant accidents befalling riders of the rechargeable fleet.
Sometimes we have a mindset that our town is too small for “x” or “y” does not belong here. In the case of the Birds, people who choose to spend the dough have been enjoying a zero emission form of transportation (though of course fossil fuel use may factor into scooter construction and electricity generation for charging). I would say the vast number of riders are recreational, however with the cost of gasoline a Bird may be an attractive option for getting to work or the store.
Will the visitors migrate this fall? Hard to say. Like watching the waterfowl on our Sandhills lakes this time of year, enjoy the Birds while you can. As with any rental – read the fine print. The bank account owner with the app should not be surprised if something does go south.
Two larger wheels have always been my preference. In the weeks before school resumes and frost appears on the pumpkin, I plan to Bird watch only.