Bird scooters still in Palm Springs despite cease and desist order
Despite the city ordering popular scooter sharing service, Bird, to cease and desist yesterday, the scooters remain in use in downtown Palm Springs.
City council gave the company 24 hours to remove the scooters from the streets but as of 6pm Friday, when the 24 hour deadline was up, riders continued using the scooters throughout the city.
Bird initially dropped off the scooters Thursday, taking the city by surprise.
“I didn’t hear anything about it – I saw one at Starbucks first thing in the morning … and I was like, ‘Okay, this is happening,'” Scot Mcklevy said, an employee at Palm Springs Cycling.
The issue has many people buzzing downtown – with mixed opinions.
“Why not, it’s absolutely fantastic,” said Stacey Brian.
“Everybody was upset that I talked to (when they were dropped off),” said Rocky Wood, owner of Bike Palm Springs.
He said initially, he was concerned he could lose bike rental business to the scooters.
“I don’t think it would be enough that it would put us out of business, but it would definitely have an impact, of course,” Wood said.
Others said the scooters are problematic.
“People (are) knocking people into the street and not paying attention to what they’re supposed to,” said Marsha Robinson, a downtown business owner.
“Too many (scooters) laying around, cluttering the street,” said McKlevy.
After the scooters were delivered Thursday, city council took swift action.
“Our council was unanimous last night that we wanted to do a cease and desist to Bird so that they would come back to the table to negotiate how they would operate in the city,” said councilmember Christy Holstege.
Some Bird riders disagree with the ban.
“Cease and desist your cease and desist,” Brian said.
“I think it’s just about being sensible isn’t it — riding on the road has its dangers and these things aren’t slow, but they’re good fun and I think it’s about having fun,” said Matt Jones.
The city still hopes to do business with Bird.
“I hope they’ll show that they want to be a good partner to the city of Palm Springs and be a good neighbor to the local businesses in our residence and they will comply with that deadline that we’ve given them,” said Holstege.
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