Bird Scooters Launch In Culver City With Safety Event

CULVER CITY, CA – Bird scooters recently launched in Culver City, and a safety event Monday helped to start off on the right foot. Officials want riders to be safe and follow the law, CBS Los Angeles reported.

The city launched a six-month trial program with Bird to study "the best way to address this new transportation model," according to a city statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. Culver City is requiring riders to wear helmets and mandating that the electric scooter company responds to questions and concerns from locals during the six-month test. City officials also want to make sure no pedestrians or bikers are harmed during the soft launch, the website reported.

Culver City residents seem to be excited for the launch. Eric Hatfield told CBS LA that he's been waiting for the electric scooters to come to the city.

“I think it’s an alternative way to get around town and it seems like it’s super easy to use. I see people using them all the time,” Hatfield told the news station.

Thomas Small, Culver City mayor, said they're starting with about 100 scooters at 50 locations around the city such as bus stops, train stations, and restaurants downtown. However, he told CBS LA that if it gets out of control, the city will handle it.

“We can pull back or push forward almost on a daily basis,” said Small. “So we have the ability to speed it up, slow it down and stop it altogether as per our agreement.”

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