Electric scooter company Bird has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing the need for financial restructuring. The company plans to sell some of its assets to existing lenders while maintaining its scooter services for riders. Bird's operations in Asia and Europe are not part of the bankruptcy proceedings. The company has faced challenges, including layoffs, revenue over-reporting, and debts owed to vendors. Despite its setbacks, Bird aims to continue promoting micro-mobility to reduce car usage, traffic, and carbon emissions.
Electric scooter company Bird, once valued at $2.5 billion, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Florida. The company, which was one of the pioneers in renting out electric scooters, faced financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the bankruptcy filing, Bird's services will continue to operate as normal. The company aims to restructure its capital structure and achieve profitability. Bird has faced controversy in the past, including accusations of a toxic corporate culture and inflating revenue. The company's shares lost 90% of their value after its IPO in 2021, and its founder, Travis VanderZanden, left the company earlier this year.
Prime Day may be over, but there are still plenty of electric bike deals available. From the Heybike Brawn with its impressive front light to the Engwe M20 with its World War II motorbike aesthetic, there are options for every rider. The RadRunner 2 offers affordability and configurability, while the HyperScrambler 2 is perfect for long-distance rides. Other deals include the Heybike Mars, Go Trax Electric balance bike, and Heybike Sola commuter bike. Electric bikes provide a sustainable and convenient mode of transportation, and many riders find them to be a cost-effective alternative to traditional commuting methods.
Prime Day 2023 offers deals on electric scooters, providing a convenient and eco-friendly way to get around. Popular brands like InMotion and Segway are featured, with options ranging from electric unicycles to last-mile scooters. These scooters offer various features such as air suspension, top speeds of up to 35 mph, and the ability to support heavier riders. Electric scooters are lightweight, portable, and ideal for short-distance transportation, making them a convenient alternative to e-bikes.
The rise of e-bikes and e-scooters in New York City has led to an increase in lithium battery fires, which have become a major cause of fatal fires in the city. The lack of regulation and safety testing for individually owned devices, hazardous charging practices, and a lack of secure charging areas in a population-dense city are some of the reasons for the uptick in these fires. New York City has taken steps to prevent these fires, including banning the sale of e-mobility devices that fail to meet recognized safety standards and pushing for greater state and federal oversight of the devices.
Spring has brought a new crop of little electric vehicles, including the Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e, and the Volvo EV30 subcompact SUV, which are likely to be sold in the US. The Fiat Topolino EV, a two-seater runabout, is unlikely to cross the Atlantic. The Volvo EV30 promises a 275-mile range and a $35k sticker price. The Abarth 500e has a small-dog-with-big-growl exhaust note and is expected to arrive in the US early in 2024. The Topolino EV, developed for "micro-mobility," has a range of around 45 miles and is ideal for congested city centers that may ban internal combustion vehicles.
