Bird Canada expects e-bikes and e-scooters to return to Windsor within the next one to two weeks, after reaching a new one-year contract agreement with the city.
Two major changes are coming with the new agreement. The first is a larger fleet, with up to 200 e-bikes, a significant increase, plus roughly 450 e-scooters.
Patrick Graham, General Manager of Bird Canada says the second change is a designated parking model, starting in the downtown riverfront BIA area and expanding over time.
He added that this model gives the city more control over where devices are left and is already used in cities like Ottawa, Mississauga and Brampton.
“There’ll be pre-approved set locations in the app and with physical markings where you can end your ride. So if you’re not in one of those geofenced areas, you won’t be able to end your ride, you’ll continue to be charged,” Graham said.
The city paused e-scooter and e-bike rentals from Bird Canada after an agreement between the two parties expired on April 21.
Graham said the pause was tied to the city’s approval process and scheduling, rather than any major dispute.
“The city has to go through its kind of regular scheduled processes and things,” he said.
“A lot of that has to do with like council meetings and stuff, so I think the council calendar delayed us a little bit before they could get back in front of them, but, overall it’s just kind of hammering out specific details, nothing of specific note other than that.”
During the shutdown, Graham says Bird heard from hundreds of riders who rely on e-bikes and e-scooters for daily transportation, not just recreation.
He acknowledged the interruption was frustrating but says both Bird and the city wanted to avoid removing the service.
“We heard from a lot of different folks that taking this away adds like a burden to their daily commute,” Graham said.
“Whether they rely on public transit, maybe not as convenient, whether it’s a bus or things of that nature. Or having to rely again on maybe like ride share, which is more expensive, and hurts them on the wallet side.”
There are no expected changes to rider pricing under the new contract.
Graham says once a firm relaunch date is set, Bird will notify riders through the app and email.