Electric scooters may be coming to downtown Exeter. Here's what is proposed

EXETER — The town is eyeing a proposal to bring rentable electric scooters to Exeter.

Bird, a micromobility company based in Santa Monica, California, recently contacted Exeter Town Manager Russ Dean about the idea.

Bird is offering to provide a fleet of electric scooters, or “e-scooters,” that can be rented by the ride at no cost to the town.

Similar to Boston’s Bluebikes, riders, over the age of 18, can rent the scooters with the click of a button on the Bird app using a smartphone. The base rate is $1 and then the price ranges between 10 and 39 cents per minute for use.

Each scooter is equipped with a QR code that users can scan and pay, before starting their ride – all done within the app. The app includes tutorials and a real-time map alerting users of the nearest available scooters and where users can park at the end of their trip.

Riding a Bird scooter is similar to a normal one.

Users start their ride simply by kicking their foot forward to gain momentum. From there, they can use the thumb accelerator on the scooter’s handle to control their speed which reaches up to 18 miles per hour. To stop, users squeeze the brake on the handle.

Like cyclists, scooter users are required to abide by all local traffic laws and ride them on approved streets and/or bicycle lanes. While helmets are not included, Bird encourages users to wear helmets while riding.

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Why Exeter?

Founded in 2017, Bird’s goal is to replace short gas-powered car trips with a more environmentally friendly and sustainable approach. The company focuses on electrical bikes and scooters and is present in more than 60 cities nationwide.

In the Granite State, the company’s scooters are available for use in both Nashua and Manchester, and they are looking to expand its footprint within the state.

“Bird hopes to bring our environmentally friendly e-scooter program to Exeter,” said a Bird spokesperson. “As tourism picks up, expanding to Exeter – with its historic and vibrant downtown – would be a natural fit.”

Similar to Manchester and Nashua, the company will operate its electric scooters through its fleet managers program, increasing job opportunities for the town. With only three qualifications needed – access to a warehouse, a large vehicle to carry the scooters and experience running a business – fleet managers are responsible for relocating scooters, maintenance work and cleaning.

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Exeter officials open to idea

Renay Allen, a member of the town’s Energy Committee, said having Bird scooters would supplement the town’s transportation infrastructure, which is lacking. She said having scooters would benefit train riders and tourists, providing easy access to travel downtown.

“The streets are already clogged (with cars), so somebody who lives a little further from town could get the scooter and it would save on parking,” said Allen. “They’re smaller, use less gas and less emission, so that’s always a positive thing.”

Police Chief Stephan Poulin said having scooters would be a "great opportunity" for people to travel around the downtown area. His main public safety concerns would be that riders would have to abide by the same rules as bicyclists.

"With anything that's new (to a town) folks really have to be careful when they're on them," said Poulin. "When something new like this comes to town, it'll just be a learning curve to get used to."

The town's Select Board declined to comment until the proposal reaches the board's level.

If the proposal were to be accepted by the town, Bird is looking to provide between 50 to 75 electrical scooters at the time of launch, with the possibility of increasing the number.

“We would be happy to partner with the town and its residents to help minimize use of cars and encourage a mode shift to transportation alternatives that have lower carbon emissions,” said a Bird spokesperson.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Electric scooters may be coming to downtown Exeter, NH