Fly Over to Bird's Launch Event, Set for Thursday

Bird, the shared electric scooter company, will host a free event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, at Wildcat Alumni Plaza. Those who attend can learn how to Bird and also snag some swag!

Free helmets and safety cards will be distributed, along with free ride demos and tutorials. Wildcat Alumni Plaza is located off Avenue of Champions by the Bowman Statue.

Bird is the University’s preferred e-scooter vendor, which means the company deploys and redistributes the scooters on campus. Bird e-scooters are also one of the benefits available to UK’s Commute Club members.

“Bird e-scooters provide users with a naturally socially distanced way to get around,” said Sandra Broadus, UK’s Alternative Transportation Manager. “The scooters are available through a mobile app, where riders can pay by the minute to use them.” 

E-scooters are allowed on roads, sidewalks and in bike lanes and should be operated in the same manner as bicycles. UK has established a use policy that details how the scooters should be operated and also how they must be parked on campus.

UK’s policy is that e-scooters should only be parked at bike racks or in shared mobility areas and should not interfere with sidewalk accessibility or hamper ingress or egress to buildings.

Bird e-scooters have a maximum speed of 15 mph. They also have a beginner mode for new riders or for those who just want to cruise. This feature offers a gentle acceleration mode that helps riders feel comfortable and build confidence.

Bird’s community mode allows anyone with a Bird account to report or provide feedback on vehicle-related issues such as poorly parked or damaged vehicles in their area. When a report is submitted, a member of the Bird team is assigned to correct the issue. Anyone can access community mode by tapping the yield sign on the bottom left of the Bird map. For more details on how to report a problem, visit our website.

For more information on Birds, see the company’s blog post and join us for the launch event on September 9.