Bird Scooters new to Oskaloosa
Sep. 23—OSKALOOSA — A new mode of transportation has hit the streets of Oskaloosa that is sustainable and affordable.
Bird Scooters were introduced to Oskaloosa in mid-September and offer community members and visitors alike an alternative to driving cars in the city. Oskaloosa joins over 100 cities worldwide served by Bird.
The electronic standing scooters can be rented by users via a smart phone app.
Riders can unlock the scooter for $1 plus an additional 30 cents per minute spent riding.
The scooters have a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour and can travel up to four miles in one trip. There is a local fleet manager responsible for charging, repairing, collecting and deploying the scooters. The scooters will be unavailable for rental between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m.
While the devices offer a simple and safe alternative to walking or driving, it is important to act responsibly while operating one.
Oskaloosa Chief of Police Benjamin Boeke encourages those interested in the scooters to take the time to learn how to properly use them before taking off.
"We just want to make sure that when they first start playing with the birds a little bit and getting used to them, go slow and make sure you know what you're doing before you go out and get into traffic," he said.
Helmet use is not required on the scooters, but it is encouraged by the city and Bird alike. Bird will give out rewards to users who take a selfie on their ride and use the hashtag #BirdHelmetSelfie to show that they wore a helmet.
Proper use is another important aspect to rider safety, and Boeke recommends that users stay aware of their surroundings while using the scooters.
Bird Scooters can be operated on city streets or sidewalks, and Boeke said that there isn't one simple answer for where it is safest to operate.
"It really just depends on where you're at," he said. "There are some places where the sidewalks are a little bit rough."
Bird will not place any fixtures or structures for the scooters, so parking is allowed wherever one gets off, so long as it does not adversely affect city streets, roadways, bike lanes or sidewalks.
They should be parked in a manner that does not block the sidewalk for pedestrians and allows a minimum of three feet in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
It is important to remember when parking the scooters that individuals in wheelchairs, on bikes or even walking will need space to use the walkway unimpeded.
Access to ADA parking zones, benches, curb ramps, driveways, fire hydrants and loading zones all need to remain unobstructed.
Bird requires that users of the scooters are 18-years-old at a minimum.
By replacing cars, Bird Scooters are able to reduce emissions and increase road safety.
The Bird app, required for use, is available on the App store.
Shannon Rabotski can be reached at srabotski@oskyherald.com.