Hey, it's Ernest from Trip Astute. In this video, we're exploring electric scooters
and how to use services like Bird and Lime to get around when traveling.
(light chiming music)
If you've traveled recently to a major city, there's a good chance that you've seen
people zipping by on an electric scooter. Or perhaps you've almost tripped over
one that's parked on the sidewalk. I know these scooters have been a bit
controversial since they just kind of appeared in many cities without actually
getting approval from the local governments. In fact, it reminds me of how
Uber and Lyft would just start service in a city and then have laws follow
afterwards. Ironically, some of these electric scooter companies are owned and
operated by these ride-sharing companies. To be honest, I have mixed feelings about
them as well. While they seem to be getting good use, they do seem to get a
range of reactions from people. You can tell that some folks really love them
and depend on them as a transportation source, while others find them to be a
total nuisance and safety hazard. That being said, you're likely to see one
when traveling, especially since companies like Bird and Lime seem to be
expanding every day. So, I thought I'd share a run-through on how to use these
scooters and also some tips to keep in mind. Like I said, you might hate these
things, but a lot of travelers and daily commuters are starting to use them in
places like LA, so it's worth understanding how these services work.
But first, if you're new here, welcome to our channel. Trip Astute is a travel
channel that is focused on sharing ways to make travel easier, affordable, and
more enjoyable. Traveling can be stressful and expensive, so we're looking
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and miles, and innovative gear. If that sounds interesting to you, please
consider subscribing. Today I'll focus on Bird and Lime. I know there are other
electric scooter companies out there, but these are the two that I've seen most
frequently here in Southern California. Bird and Lime are similar in the way
they work, and I assume that the other companies operate the same way as well.
To use one of these services, you'll need to download the app for your phone. It
should be a free download. You'll need to register for an account. In addition,
you'll have to agree to the Terms of Service and register a credit card or enable a
service like Apple Pay. I noticed on Bird that it asked me to scan my
driver's license, so keep that in mind. Once the
app is registered to you, you can use the app to locate a scooter. If you haven't
found one already, you can also use the app to trigger a sound on the scooter in
case you can't find it in it's location. You'll want to also pay attention to the
battery level listed for the scooter. Depending on where you're going and how
long you plan to use it, you want to be mindful of the charge. For example, if
you're just going a mile or two down the road, then a scooter with a low battery
is probably not going to be a problem. But if you're planning to use it to tour
city or go uphill, then you'll probably want one with more charge. Once you're
ready to start using your scooter, you'll need to scan the QR code on the scooter.
This should unlock and activate the scooter.
You're now ready to start riding. The apps generally give you some guidelines
on how to use a scooter. However, it was a bit confusing the first time we tried it.
First, you'll want to release the kickstand. To start it up, you'll want to
start pushing the scooter two or three times with your foot then pressing the
accelerator button with your right thumb. The scooter should start to accelerate.
You can then move around and even brake using the button on the handle. You'll
want to stick to bike lanes whenever possible.
In fact, some places are very strict about where you can and cannot ride your
scooter, so be careful. As I mentioned earlier, the laws governing these
scooters usually follow after they're released, so a lot of cities are
scrambling to figure out how to regulate these services. Once you're done riding,
you'll park the scooter, engage the kickstand, then end the ride through the
app. It's that simple! The cost is calculated by time rather
than distance, and it depends on where you rent your scooter. For example, in Los
Angeles, it cost me 15 cents per minute to ride a Bird and Lime scooter. There's
also a fee, usually a dollar, to start the rental on top of the per minute cost. In
addition, here are some important things to consider if you plan to rent an
electric scooter. Number 1: Do a quick check of the
scooter. You'll want to do a quick check of the scooter before starting your ride.
One of the scary things about these scooters is that there really isn't
anyone regularly checking the structure and tires. While you can report if there's a
problem, the maintenance does seem to be a bit
more reactive rather than proactive. I would do a quick visual inspection for
any cracks or loose components. Number 2: You can only rent one scooter at a
time. If you're traveling with others, you
might think that you can rent a few scooters at once. However, you can only
rent one at a time per service. You could technically rent scooters from different
services at the same time on one phone, but in reality, the companies want and
require the primary rider to rent and register on the app. I'm sure it has to
do with the liability, so I recommend having everyone rent their own
scooter using their own phone. Number 3: Use extra caution when riding at
night. You'll notice a significantly fewer number of scooters available in
the late afternoon and evening. The reason for this is because the scooters
usually get charged at night. If you do decide to ride one at night, be sure that
you have a scooter that has a functioning front and rear light. I've
only seen a couple models of scooters that have them. In general, I would avoid
riding these scooters at night since you're just more likely to hit something or be hit
by another vehicle. Number 4: Be aware of local laws. As I mentioned earlier, the
laws are still in flux in many areas when it comes to these electric scooters.
It's worth doing a quick Google search to see current laws for your area. For
example, in Santa Monica, California, you need to be a licensed driver who's
wearing a helmet and riding on the road, not on the sidewalk, in order to legally
operate a scooter. This might be completely different in another city, so
just be mindful of the local laws. Number 5: Get a free helmet. If you need a
helmet, you're in luck. Bird is actually giving
away free helmets to riders. All you have to do is order one from the app and pay
for the shipping. Number 6: Don't share your ride with others. I've seen this a
few times while walking around Santa Monica. You don't want to double up on a
scooter with someone else. It's really dangerous. I've seen people do this with
kids too, and I just cringe thinking what might happen if they crash. Number 7:
Use a discount code. If you're planning to use one of these services, make sure
to use a discount code to receive a few dollars off your first ride. You can get
one from your friends, or if you want to use our code, you can get one from the
video description below. Number 8: Don't block pathways when
parking your scooter. When ending your ride, you want to park your scooter in a
location that doesn't block the pathways. It's probably common sense to most
people, but I see these things in the middle of sidewalks all the time. Number
9: Charges don't always qualify as travel. This
one is for you credit card points nerds. One thing I was curious about was
whether these services would show up as travel on my Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Since metro, taxi, and ride-sharing charges typically register as travel, I
thought there was a good chance that Bird and Lime would be the same. However,
on my test, it was inconsistent. Bird charges showed up as travel which earned
the extra points, but Lime charges did not. They showed up as online. This might
change in the future, but for now, just know that the charges may not post as
travel on your credit card. Number 10: Consider renting a bike or scooter from
a store. Since the scooter is charged by the
minute, you might be better off renting a scooter or bike from a local store. These
places generally charge a fixed rate based on total time. You'll also be able
to pick the scooter or bike that you want to use and get things like helmets
and locks if needed. It's worth noting too that Lime also rents standard bikes.
We actually opted for two regular bikes when we were in San Diego's Balboa Park
since we couldn't find two scooters that were charged and working properly. Have
you tried using an electric scooter? Do you have any other tips to share? Let us
know in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this video or found it useful,
please give us a thumbs up and consider sharing the video with others who might
benefit or enjoy our content. Until next time, travel safe and travel smart.