Bird wants $1,299 for an electric scooter you won't have to share
Preorders are available now.
- She received the Renau Writing Scholarship in 2016 from the University of Louisville's communication department.
Bird Scooters are available for presale now.
Renting a Bird scooter won't be your only option for much longer.
The company announced preorders for the new Bird One on Wednesday. The scooter comes in three colors -- jet black, dove white and electric rose -- and costs $1,299.
Some of the Bird One's features include extended battery life and protection, a 30-mile travel range on one charge and better durability, the company says. You'll also get $100 in ride credits to use with the shared fleet and the ability to track your scooter with the app, as well as antitheft capabilities through the Bird Hunter Network.
"Given the excitement and demand for our next generation e-scooter, we are also making a limited supply of Bird Ones available to own," Travis VanderZanden, founder and CEO of Bird, said in a release. "Now, whether you want to share, rent, or own, Bird provides an option for everyone."
You don't have to buy the Bird One to ride it, though. The company's latest scooter will also join Bird's fleet this summer. Bird One will be available to riders in markets where the company offers shared e-scooters. The initial rollout is starting in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, according to a Bird spokesperson.
If a big purchase isn't for you, Bird e-scooters also offer monthly personal rentals. The plan is $25 for a monthlong rental. The company will drop off a scooter wherever you are; then, you ride it as much as you like and when it's due back Bird will pick it up.
Before you invest in an e-scooter, it's important to take safety into account. A recent study from the CDC found that 45% of e-scooter injuries result in head trauma, so wearing a helmet is a good idea. Of course, that won't prevent a broken wrist or elbow (or worse). And riders have also reported failed throttles and brakes on e-scooters, as well as other issues.
Originally published May 8, 8:22 a.m. PT.
Updates, 8:44 a.m.: Adds more background on e-scooters; 11:46 a.m.: Includes comment from Bird.