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Bird motorized scooters ready for action in Provo.

Courtesy Provo City

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On Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, Bird motorized scooters and bikes began servicing Provo.

Courtesy Provo City

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Motorized bikes are part of the new Bird system servicing Provo.

Courtesy Provo City

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As Provo continues to move into a more pedestrian-, scooter- and bike-friendly community, its options for providing motorized scooters and bikes for the public has also increased.

On Saturday, Provo launched a multimodal shared mobility program in partnership with Bird Global Inc., a Florida-based company specializing in environmentally friendly electric transportation.

Provo residents and visitors can now rent both electric bikes and scooters throughout the city, accessed via the Bird app on their smartphone, according to Nicole Martin, city spokesperson.

It was just over three years ago that Mayor Michelle Kaufusi and other Provo City staff put on helmets and took a ride through the city’s first scooter pilot program, adding a micromobility option to its comprehensive plan to offer multimodal city transportation to manage traffic congestion, according to Martin.

“Active transportation is now fully available to all who live, work and play in Provo,” Kaufusi said. “Our partnership with Bird finally fulfills our mobility goal of providing both e-bikes and scooters to our community.”

“Scooters and e-bikes are an essential link in mass transit convenience as they provide a means for first- and last-mile of mass transit use, but it is not unusual to see citizens using scooters on the Provo River trail as far north as Bridal Veil Falls,” said Bill Pepperone, Provo development services director.

Provo’s new mobility program includes the gradual release of up to 500 scooters and 200 e-bikes to meet community transportation needs while avoiding excess.

“Maintaining quality of life is a top priority, so it was crucial our mobility partner have the proven ability to help cities maximize access while minimizing the public nuisance potential of unused vehicles,” Kaufusi added.

Bird currently operates multiple shared mobility programs throughout Utah, including in Orem, Ogden, Sandy, West Valley and Millcreek.

That means if you wanted to take a scooter or bike to Orem and leave them there, you could. Other previous companies did not off that ability, nor were motorized bikes part of the program.

“Bird is especially excited about launching a multimodal shared mobility program in Provo with both bikes and scooters,” said Austin Marshburn, director of city and university partnerships for Bird. “We currently have scooter share programs in over 10 other communities throughout Utah and launching in Provo will allow Bird to continue expanding on our mission to provide alternative transportation options to as many Utahns as possible.”

Bird plans to work with local business and community health organizations to help spread the word about its service and its discounted programs. Additionally, Bird bikes will be allowed on the Brigham Young University campus, giving students a new option to get to class.

Bird’s discounted programs include:

• Community Pricing Program: Bird offers qualifying groups such as veterans, students, teachers, senior citizens and low-income individuals 50% off rides.
• Alternative Payment Methods: Scooters may be rented by those without a credit card.

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