Bird scooters coming to Machesney Park. Here's what you need to know

Ken DeCoster, Rockford Register Star
·1 min read
Bird scooters will be available to ride in Machesney Park beginning Monday, Aug. 15. The scooters are currently available in Rockford.
Bird scooters will be available to ride in Machesney Park beginning Monday, Aug. 15. The scooters are currently available in Rockford.

MACHESNEY PARK — Village residents and visitors alike will have access to a new environmentally-friendly method of travel.

The village and the electric vehicle company Bird are teaming up to bring shared e-scooters to Machesney Park beginning Monday.

“Machesney Park is joining the global community of more than 350 cities who have chosen to offer residents and visitors a new, environmentally friendly way to explore the area,” Mayor Steve Johnson said in a news release. “We hope everyone enjoys their rides.”

The eco-friendly transportation option can be activated through Bird’s mobile phone application.

Bird will initially deliver between 30 and 40 electric scooters to the village and will add to or subtract from its fleet depending on usage, according to village management analyst Dylan Moffitt.

The scooters will only be able to operate within certain boundaries of the village, Moffitt said.

More:Cruising downtown Rockford with Bird: E-scooters an instant hit

Bird will offer a 50% discount to low-income riders, Pell grant recipients, veterans, senior citizens and select local nonprofit and community organizations.

Healthcare workers and emergency responders are eligible to receive two 30-minute free rides per day. Those who qualify for the offer can sign up by emailing a copy of their medical identification card, name and phone number to together@bird.co.

Bird scooters are capable of speeds of up to 20 miles per hour and can be rented through a mobile app daily from 4 a.m. to midnight.

Bird delivered 100 electric scooters to the city of Rockford in May 2021 and has also provided scooters to South Beloit and Beloit. Freeport recently announced Bird scooters will be leaving the city.

The electric vehicle company was founded in 2017 by transportation pioneer Travis VanderZanden.

Ken DeCoster covers business news and features. Contact him at 815-987-1391, kdecoster@rrstar.com or @DeCosterKen. 

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Machesney Park adding Bird scooters to its transportation fleet