Bird scooters leaving Baltimore after losing permit bid

Dec 02, 2023

Bird, one of the e-scooter brands found throughout Baltimore over the past year, is no longer permitted to provide rides in the city.

The dockless vehicle company was axed in the Baltimore Department of Transportation’s latest round of permits, which allow two other e-scooter brands — Spin and LINK by Superpedestrian — to continue operating through June 2024.

In a statement, Bird, a publicly traded company that also provides e-bikes and electric wheelchairs, said it was “disappointed” in the decision.

“We look forward to returning to Baltimore as soon as we are allowed,” the company said, calling the rentable vehicles “affordable and reliable transportation alternative[s]” and expressing hope the company could “continue to develop relationships with community organizations and create jobs for residents.”

A city transportation department spokesperson did not answer questions about Bird, directing a reporter to a news release that says Spin and LINK “were offered permit renewals because they did not receive any citations” during the last permit year, which ended in June. “Their compliance with program regulations demonstrates true commitment to the city.”

Lime, a Bird competitor, lost its Baltimore permit last cycle and said in a statement that the company “would love the opportunity to return to Baltimore” following Bird’s departure. The e-scooter and e-bike company said it “accounted for more trips than any other operator” during its time in Baltimore.