Bird Scooters Land in Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Bird scooters landed in Pittsfield this week and iBerkshires took a ride on one to see what they are all about.

Pittsfield is partnering with micro-mobility company Bird to provide a fleet of electric scooters that can be rented by the ride. It is at no cost to the city and the company has agreed to hold all liability. Pittsfield's only job is to provide messaging, education, and preparation for the fleet.

According to the city's Facebook page, the scooters arrived on Wednesday and were placed in a few places in the North Street vicinity.

Renting a scooter starts with downloading the free Bird app, which then shows a map of where the nearest ones are located. You must be 18 years or older to reserve and have a way of paying electronically.

The company's website states that there are non-smartphone and cash payment options — and other similar services — available to increase accessibility.

iBerkshires picked up a scooter in front of ServiceNet that was in a neat row with a few others. The app allows you to prepay different amounts of money that can be used for the ride.

The process starts with scanning a barcode on the scooter with the Bird app.

After inputting payment information, the app goes through a short instructional slideshow on how to use the scooters when it recognizes that it is your first ride.  

The first slide shows how to start by getting on the scooter, pushing off with your preferred foot, and pushing down the "gas" lever to get moving. It then shows how to stop by squeezing the brakes located on the handles as you would with a bike. The app then instructs you to ride in the bike lanes and keep sidewalks clear for pedestrians.

Riding an e-scooter warrants all of the same etiquette as riding a bike. The wheels take minor bumps well but avoiding large potholes that are often spoken about in the city is recommended.

Some locations are considered "slow zones" but the scooters are able to travel at about 15 miles per hour.

Riding on the sidewalk is not permitted but the scooters are intended to be parked on the sidewalk where they are not obstructing pedestrians.

If you want to make sure that another person doesn't rent the scooter while it is parked, it can be reserved for 30 minutes.

iBerkshires rode a total of 1.26 miles and paid $6.29, though was offered a free ride for referring a friend to the app. It was certainly faster than walking.

The takeaway? Riding the e-scooters seems to be similar to riding a bike in the city.

Cyclists Pedal Into Berkshire Bike Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:42AM / Saturday, May 04, 2024

Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan addresses bikers at the event. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Clad in helmets and bright colors, more than 20 people gathered in Park Square to kick on Berkshire Bike Month on Wednesday.

The month of May will be stacked with bicycle-centered events throughout the county — beginning with an eight-mile loop from the city's center that ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co.

"We have we have a lot of things going on in Pittsfield for bicycles and for safety," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said.

"We're not anywhere near where we should be. We have a lot of work to do."

Bike month is meant to promote the safe use of streets for anyone and everyone no matter how they are traveling, he said The commissioner is especially excited about Bike to Work Day on May 17, as he can register to be recognized for his typical commute.

He presented a proclamation to President of the Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan. It states that the city is committed to the health of its citizens and environment, safe cycling with road bike lanes and the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and that the Police Department encourages safe cycling by distributing lights and helmets and accompanies the city's Ride Your Bike to School event.

BBPC is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Cohan said the quarter century has been full of commitment to bike paths and bike safety throughout Berkshire County "on roads, on trails, on tracks, and on paths."

"In expanding our mission in this way we have been able to encompass all kinds of cycles and all kinds of riders," she said.

She noted that participants range from babies to 90-year-old people. Bike month includes events for all ages.