Bird, Lime & Veo: NYC E-Scooter Pilot Program

New York City Launches E-Scooter Pilot Program

Lime, Bird, and Veo have been awarded the initial permits for New York City’s inaugural e-scooter pilot program.

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) announced its selections on Wednesday, following a request for proposals released in October. The pilot program, originally slated to begin in early March, will now commence in the Bronx during the early summer months.

Pilot Program Details

Each of the three selected companies is anticipated to deploy 1,000 electric scooters within the designated pilot zone.

According to a statement released by the NYC DOT, “After a competitive selection process, Bird, Lime and Veo unveil e-scooter models and pricing plans that will allow most rides for under $5.”

Furthermore, the DOT highlighted that planned bicycle lane expansions within the pilot area over the next two years will contribute to enhanced e-scooter mobility and overall rider safety.

Competitive Landscape

The competition for limited city concessions among micromobility operators has been intense. Success in New York City is considered crucial for operators seeking to thrive as the rideshare industry undergoes consolidation.

Bird and Lime already operate in a substantial number of cities globally – over 100 for Bird, and approximately 130 for Lime, spanning the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. This win further solidifies their established positions within the industry.

VeoRide, based in Chicago, currently serves around 20 U.S. cities and is viewed as the underdog in this scenario. The opportunity to operate in New York City represents a potentially transformative moment for the already profitable company.

Timing and Public Sentiment

The launch of this e-scooter pilot program is particularly timely, coinciding with New York’s focus on providing affordable transportation alternatives.

These options allow residents to travel while maintaining social distancing in outdoor settings. Lime CEO Wayne Ting stated that New York’s embrace of this new transportation mode demonstrates a commitment to a sustainable recovery from COVID-19, free from the constraints of heavy traffic congestion.

Companies Not Selected

Superpedestrian and Spin were among the companies not chosen to participate in the initial program. Superpedestrian CEO Assaf Biderman expressed pride in the company’s proposal and indicated a continued pursuit of opportunities in other communities.

Pilot Zone and Expansion Plans

The initial phase of the pilot program will encompass neighborhoods in the East Bronx, extending from Eastchester to Van Nest. A subsequent phase will expand southward to Soundview and eastward to Edgewater, with the addition of another 4,000 to 6,000 scooters.

The DOT strategically selected these geographic boundaries to address areas identified as transit deserts – locations currently underserved by existing bike-share programs.

Relationship with Citi Bike

It’s important to note that Lyft-owned Citi Bike currently holds a monopoly on shared micromobility in New York City, with bike docks strategically placed throughout Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and the South Bronx.

While 2018 legislation permitted the introduction of dockless e-scooters, it prioritized neighborhoods lacking access to Citi Bike. The pilot zones were deliberately designed to minimize overlap with areas targeted for expansion by the docked bike-share system.

Expectations for the Bronx E-Scooter Pilot Program

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) prioritized alignment with Vision Zero and equity objectives when selecting e-scooter companies for a pilot program. Crucially, chosen operators demonstrated a willingness to adhere to the city’s robust enforcement protocols.

This includes proactive management of potential sidewalk obstructions through designated parking areas and sophisticated fleet management systems, as confirmed by a DOT representative to TechCrunch.

Strategies for Responsible Scooter Deployment

Lime plans a combined approach, utilizing both parking corrals and its lock-to system for the first time within New York City. This aims to prevent its Gen 3 and Gen 4 scooters from creating inconveniences for residents.

The company will also leverage its fleet management software and a dedicated “tidy crew” to redistribute scooters as needed throughout the pilot zone.

Phil Jones, Lime’s senior government relations director, explained to TechCrunch that riders will be required to park within enforced corrals at high-traffic areas, such as transit hubs. This will be facilitated by Lime’s geofence technology.

Furthermore, riders will be mandated to secure scooters to bike racks or approved bicycle parking locations using LimeLocks.

Veo is also prioritizing lock-to parking to prevent scooters from toppling over or obstructing pedestrian pathways.

Pilot Program Demographics and Equity Considerations

The 18-square-mile pilot area encompasses a population of 570,000, with 80% identifying as Black or Latino. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in the Bronx is $40,088, and the poverty rate stands at 26.2%.

Equity was a central consideration for the city during the operator evaluation process.

Bird’s Access program already provides unlimited rides for $5 monthly to low-income individuals receiving government assistance, with payment options including cash and SMS-based unlocking.

Veo offers an access program, though specific details remain unspecified.

Lime’s Access Program, rebranded as Lime Aid for NYC, will extend benefits to frontline healthcare workers, educators, performing arts professionals, and those employed in the nonprofit and hospitality sectors – groups significantly impacted by the pandemic.

Lime is also collaborating with local employment agencies, such as BronxWorks and the Center for Employment Opportunities, to source pilot program employees from within the community.

Accessibility for Residents with Disabilities

Recognizing that approximately 11% of Bronx residents under 65 live with a disability, the DOT assessed operators on their commitment to accessibility.

Victor Calise, commissioner of the mayor’s office for people with disabilities, participated in the grading process, prompting Lime to prioritize accessibility features.

Lime recently launched a service in San Francisco allowing individuals with disabilities to order accessible scooters for home delivery with 24-hours’ notice, and intends to replicate this service in New York.

In preparation for the Bronx pilot, Lime developed seven distinct vehicle types to accommodate diverse physical abilities, including a three-wheeled, seated scooter for those with balance challenges, a two-wheeled seated option for individuals unable to stand for extended periods, a tandem scooter for visually impaired riders, and a tricycle with a shopping basket.

These vehicles are available on demand and will be delivered directly to users.

“We aimed not to simply speculate on the needs of disabled individuals, but to actively engage with the New York disabled community and learn from their experiences,” stated Jones.

Lime collaborated with New York’s Center for Independence of the Disabled and other advocacy groups prior to submitting its proposal.

Vehicle Options and Environmental Sustainability

Veo will deploy its stand-up Astro e-scooter and the Cosmo seated e-scooter, recognizing that seated options enhance accessibility, particularly for longer journeys.

The company has also affirmed its commitment to ADA compliance and will provide electric-powered attachments for non-motorized wheelchairs upon request.

Regarding environmental impact, Veo highlights its waterproof, durable, and swappable batteries, which eliminate the need for gas-powered vans for battery replacement, utilizing cargo bikes or even the Cosmo scooter instead.

Lime also employs swappable batteries, while Bird is still in the process of fully implementing this technology, according to a November blog post.

Safety Enhancements

Bird recently introduced Beginner Mode for the Bird Two scooter, featuring gentle acceleration to assist new riders in gradually acclimating to full speed. The scooter also includes autonomous emergency braking and skid detection systems.

Note: An earlier version of this article referred to Veo as ‘VeoRide.’ The company has undergone a recent rebranding.