micromobilitybiz Delivering news updates to the micromobility industry, focusing on e-bikes, e-scooters and green transport
Bird is investing $150 million in Europe in 2021 as part of its commitment to helping sustainable mobility and tech innovation thrive in the continent.
The funds will be used to open safe, sustainable micromobility programmes in over 50 new European cities. The company will also be launching new mobility products and safety initiatives, implementing the next generation of recycling and second life applications for vehicles, investing in industry-leading equity programmes and securing partnerships across the region designed to improve transportation for all Europeans.
One such programme, its new Global Ride Pass, was announced last week. The suite of new pricing options is available in more than 12 countries and designed to help reduce the cost of making e-scooters a regular part of Europeans’ transportation routines.
Bird riders across the continent will now have access to between one-four of Bird’s new Global Ride Passes, including Daily Unlimited Rides Pass, Monthly Unlimited Rides Pass, Monthly Unlimited Unlocks Pass and 3-Month Unlimited Unlocks Pass.
“Europe is playing a leading role not only in embracing micro-EVs but in redesigning cities to safely promote their use,” said Travis VanderZanden, founder and CEO of Bird. “We’re committed to working with cities to advance these incredibly positive initiatives by investing in the technology, as well as the safety, equity and sustainability programmes, that will usher in the next generation of clean urban mobility across the continent.”
Bird has also appointed Renaud Fages as global head of operations. Fages joined Bird in 2020 as vice president of strategy and under his leadership, the company has adapted its operations model in response to the global pandemic.
“This pandemic has been devastating for towns and cities across Europe, and we want to help them get moving again,” said Fages. “Over the last 12 months, we’ve seen elected leaders step up in a big way to promote sustainable, socially distant mobility. Bird’s investment in Europe will enable us to support these efforts and better deliver on the promise of mobility for all.”
To further advance its European mission, Brendan O’Driscoll has taken up the role of head of product, growth and data at Bird. The former head of product – San Francisco at Spotify and an alumnus of both University College Dublin and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, O’Driscoll will oversee its global product strategy and implementation.
