Bird scooters make their debut this fall

Arkansas Tech University will become the first university in Arkansas to offer students and staff the Bird scooters. These scooters are dock free, low speed, electric scooters that will provide everyone an efficient way to get around campus. The Bird scooter is a low cost form of transportation that will be available to the public Sept. 20.

The president of Student Government Association, Jayson Simmons, was inspired to bring the Bird scooter to Tech after spending the past summer in Washington, D.C., and seeing others use them. He was quickly convinced that Tech would greatly benefit from having these scooters available to students and staff. Bird recently reached out to Arkansas Tech and the Student Government Association answered. “SGA is excited for it and we hope to incorporate the scooters into the Russellville community as well,” said Simmons.

To access a scooter, students and staff will need to download the Bird app. The app shows available scooters and their destinations. Scanning the QR code on the bike will finalize the rental and travel cost will be deducted from a credit or debit card account that is locked into the app. Rides will start at just $1.

SGA encourages everyone to come out to the Bell Tower Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. to test drive the scooters. Attendees could also receive a free helmet along with a t-shirt.