Video: 2 Baltimore Kids Allegedly Steal Bird Scooter
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A Reddit user posted a video of two kids in Baltimore allegedly stealing a Bird scooter.
In the video posted Saturday by u/routable, you see one boy break off the computer off the scooter. It's used to track it and will stop the scooter from working once customers run out of time.
"Watch these two youngsters steal a Bird scooter by breaking off the computer on the top. I worry these things will go the way of the Baltimore Bike Share," the Reddit user wrote.
This latest incident has some people in the city concerned about the program's future.
"I think it's just terrible, they're so convenient and easy so it's really unfortunate," Nieco Magtanong, a Baltimore resident, said.
Bird Electric Scooters Zoom Into Baltimore
Bird scooters landed in Charm City in July. The scooters require users to own a smartphone, a valid driver's license and be 18 years old.
Similar to the Baltimore Bike Share, it allows people to borrow a scooter to get around town. Once you're done with a ride you are asked to leave it near a bike rack where when available, however, they can be left anywhere.
The electric scooters can offer riders an affordable way to get around the city, but some think they are a nuisance.
"I don't blame you if you're a little annoyed I guess I'm honestly a little annoyed but never to the point to throw it in the harbor, although its tempting," Pete Durkin, a Baltimore resident, said.
Baltimore recently ended their bike-share program and announced their partnership with Bird and Lime, which operates dockless bikes and scooters.
"Dockless bikes are the wave of the future and we're excited to be a part of that," said Baltimore's Mayor Catherine Pugh said.
A six-month pilot program that will provide thousands of devices to riders all over the city.
"DOT will access and evaluate the effectiveness of a dockless program which will assist in developing appropriate regulation," said Michelle Pourciau with the Baltimore Department of Transportation.
The California-based companies are required to pick up and replace damaged scooters or bikes and urge people to notify them directly if they see any vandalism.
Bird and Lime are paying Baltimore $30,000 to operate, plus a dollar a day per device to make the model sustainable.
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