The UK鈥檚 first electric scooter pilot has been launched in London鈥檚 Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The launch of the Bird app will allow visitors and workers between Stratford and technology-focused campus Here East to unlock a scooter for use between 7am-9pm.
The scooters are GPS tracked and will power down if they cross the park boundary and off private land or deviate from the approved route.
It follows recent launches in Paris, Brussels, Vienna, Antwerp and Zurich.
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鈥� Bird (@BirdRide)
鈥淥ne of the biggest issues modern cities face is increasing congestion and decreasing air quality,鈥� said Richard Corbett, head of Bird in the UK.
鈥淏ird鈥檚 mission is to help solve these problems by getting people out of cars and onto environmentally friendly sharable electric scooters.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really excited to be launching the UK鈥檚 first electric scooter pilot 鈥� helping connect the Here East campus with Stratford.
鈥淲e really hope people will try Bird in the Olympic Park and see the advantages it brings.鈥�
Riders have to be over 18 while they also have access to helmets.
Lyn Garner, chief executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: 鈥淨ueen Elizabeth Olympic Park is rapidly becoming a world-leader at trialling new and innovative approaches to our future transport needs.
鈥淲e are delighted to be working with innovators so that Londoners can experience this ground-breaking technology for themselves.鈥�
Bird鈥檚 London offices are located in Plexal, the innovation centre at Here East, which allows it to be part of a community that spans start-ups, global corporates, creative businesses and academic institutions.
Gavin Poole, CEO of Here East, said: 鈥淣ew technologies are able to offer an exciting array of innovative solutions to move around our cities.
鈥淢obility is one of the most exciting sectors for digital disruption and this news is testament to a city that is embracing the future.
鈥淎s London鈥檚 largest and fastest growing tech and innovation campus, Bird fits into Here East鈥檚 wider vision and we are looking forward to seeing what Bird will bring to our community.
鈥淲ith companies such as Ford and the Global Disability Institute based here, the conversation around mobility has long been a focal point for Here East, and we are excited to be part of what will hopefully become one of the next chapters in transport around London.鈥�
Andrew Roughan, managing director of Plexal, said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted that our member Bird has chosen London, and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to launch in the UK.
鈥淧lexal 鈥� and the wider Here East campus 鈥� is emerging as the place to be if you鈥檙e innovating in the transport and mobility space. Bird represents what Plexal champions: bold, innovative thinking that aims to solve some of our biggest urban challenges and improve people鈥檚 travel experiences.
鈥淲e look forward to seeing the results of their first pilot and going on this journey with them.鈥�
Users can get 拢5 off their first ride using the promo code BIRDLONDON.