Scooters Will Save L Train Riders, Scooter Company Says

WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN — The savior for commuters dreading the L train shutdown this spring could be e-scooters, or at least that's what one scooter company has concluded.

Bird scooters has released a study that claims using e-scooters in the L-train corridor would be a time and energy saver during the upcoming 15-month shutdown of the subway line staring in April.

Commuting by scooter would save a combined 1,300 hours per day, or about 15 minutes per day per commuter, by taking a scooter to an alternative subway line, the study said. Using the scooters would also take 1,500 cars, or 7.25 metric tons of carbon emissions, off the road each day.

"Bird is ready to step up and help all New York City commuters—especially in the L Train corridor—save time, reduce congestion, and lower carbon emissions," said Ashwini Chhabra, Senior Director and Head of Policy Research at Bird. "By providing commuters with a safe, affordable, and sustainable mobility option like e-scooters, we can play an integral role in reducing the worst impacts of the shutdown."

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The study comes at a critical time for e-scooters in the city. Just last month, lawmakers announced that they are considering legalizing scooters that can't go faster than 15 MPH as part of a package of four bills aimed at expanding transportation options and letting delivery cyclists avoid steep fines.

The law would also establish a scooter-sharing pilot program, with priority given to neigborhoods affected by next year's dreaded L train shutdown and those not well served by bike-sharing.

Bird, which operates in more than 100 cities, was one of two major companies reportedly seeking to bring the e-scooters to New York City.

The company's study also contends that the scooters will help low-income commuters. Bird offers a program that gives reduced pricing for low-income riders, the company said.

The study was conducted by HR&A Advisors.

Photo by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images.