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<title>electric scooters | Clean Fleet Report</title>
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<item>
<title>Buyer’s Guide: Electric Scooter Guide</title>
<link>https://cleanfleetreport.com/buyers-guide-electric-scooter-guide/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=buyers-guide-electric-scooter-guide</link>
<comments>https://cleanfleetreport.com/buyers-guide-electric-scooter-guide/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Steve Schaefer]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2020 07:04:14 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Buyer's Guide]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Electric Vehicles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Micromobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric bikes]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric scooter guide]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric scooters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[micromobility]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cleanfleetreport.com/?p=27146</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>The Electric Scooter Guide provides electric scooter news, industry insights, safety information, in-depth reviews and exhaustive data.</p>
The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/buyers-guide-electric-scooter-guide/">Buyer’s Guide: Electric Scooter Guide</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><strong>Helping You Find the Perfect Scooter</strong></h2>
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<p>Electric scooters are taking off as a way to get around inexpensively and environmentally responsibly. And, they can be a blast to ride. While some city riders, in non-pandemic times, might borrow a scooter from a fleet, such as Lime, many people want their own. But how can you know what’s available and what best suits your needs? That’s where the <a href="https://electric-scooter.guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Electric Scooter Guide</a> (ESG) comes in.</p>
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<p>The Electric Scooter Guide provides electric scooter news, industry insights, safety information, in-depth reviews and exhaustive data. It was founded at the beginning of 2019 by Chuck Temple and Justin Klein with the mission to “help people find the perfect scooter.” They also put out regular <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxCZG3mLNMgkEpUPoWqyPkQ/videos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube</a> videos to complement the substantial and regularly updated online content.</p>
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<p>The website’s design is clean and functional. The home page offers four quick links to essential content; I’ll elaborate on them in detail below.</p>
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<ul><li>Best Electric Scooters of 2020</li><li>Beginner’s Guide to Buying an Electric Scooter</li><li>Hand’s-On Electric Scooter Reviews</li><li>A teaser for their ESG LIVE scooter chat live show </li></ul>
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<h3><strong>Best Electric Scooters of 2020</strong></h3>
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<p>This long section is filled with charts, tables and images, and starts with ratings by more than 750 owners.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1018" height="736" src="//i3.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Review.png" alt="sample Electric Scooter Guide review" class="wp-image-27150" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Review.png 1018w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Review-300x217.png 300w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Review-768x555.png 768w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Review-700x506.png 700w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Review-325x235.png 325w" sizes="(max-width: 1018px) 100vw, 1018px" /><figcaption><br><br><br><br><br><br><strong>The reviews start like this</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
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<p>It’s arranged by price range, after which ESG presents their top 12 picks, from 12 to 1. Each scooter gets a hero shot image, a link to written and video reviews, and pros and cons. These guys give you all the data, not just an impression.</p>
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<h3><strong>Beginners Guide to Buying an Electric Scooter</strong></h3>
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<p>A beginner is looking for more guidance, so this section is geared to walking the reader through a step at a time. It covers price, features, components, distributors, maintenance, and shopping tools.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="754" height="529" src="//i2.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Budget-Scooter.png" alt="Budget electric scooter in Electric Scooter Guide" class="wp-image-27152" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Budget-Scooter.png 754w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Budget-Scooter-300x210.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px" /><figcaption><strong>A budget scooter</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
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<p>Scooters are broken into three categories: Budget, Commuter, and High Performance. <strong>Budget</strong> scooters are priced under $300 and are meant for “minimal or light recreational use.” <strong>Commuter</strong> scooters are intended for daily use, so are more durable than the Budget ones. They offer more features, and the best ones have suspensions and other premium features. The guide subdivides Commuter scooters into three subcategories: Budget ($300-600), Midrange ($600-900), and Premium ($600-1,200).</p>
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<p>The <strong>Performance</strong> scooters ($1,200-1,600) offer faster speeds and longer ranges, which you would expect for a much larger cash outlay. Upgrades include tubeless tires, semi-hydraulic brakes, powerful lights, and turn signals. <strong>Extreme Performance</strong> scooters ($2,500+) are the highest performing scooters, but tend to be heavy (more than 70 pounds)–and with their fat tires are best for off-roading.  A prime example is the <a>Wolf </a><a href="#_msocom_1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CT1</a> Warrior 11, which can zoom up to more than 40 miles per hour—much faster than the bargain units.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="672" src="//i0.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/300-to-600-scooters-1-1024x672.png" alt="Commuter scooters in Electric Scooter Guide" class="wp-image-27154" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/300-to-600-scooters-1-1024x672.png 1024w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/300-to-600-scooters-1-300x197.png 300w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/300-to-600-scooters-1-768x504.png 768w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/300-to-600-scooters-1.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption><strong>Commuter scooters</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
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<p><strong>Features</strong> are discussed at length. After walking through the levels, the guide discusses features, which further helps the reader figure out which scooter will work for them. It starts with <strong>price</strong>, referring back to the previous section. Next is another crucial number, <strong>range</strong>—how far it’ll go on a charge. Then, they discuss <strong>weight</strong>, which can be a factor in how it handles but really matters if you plan to carry the scooter. <strong>Top</strong> <strong>speed</strong> is useful to know. Most riders are OK going 15-18 mph on the street, but if you have the aforementioned Wolf Warrior 11, you’ll be flying. <strong>Max weight</strong> is the limit the scooter will carry. For most scooters, it’s 220 pounds. <strong>Motor power</strong> makes a difference in your riding experience. It starts at 200 watts and runs to 500 watts or more. The Guide recommends at least 250 watts for commuting. <strong>Suspensions</strong>, as in cars, makes riding much more comfortable, and the guide advises getting a scooter with one if you plan to commute longer distances or drive over rough terrain. <strong>Lighting</strong> is crucial if you plan to drive at night, and it varies from scooter to scooter, although there is minimally a white light up front and a red one in back. <strong>Brakes</strong>, of course, are essential. There are four types, from electric and regenerative (the weakest) to manual foot brakes to drum brakes, and at the top, disc brakes. As in cars, disc brakes stop better, but tend to be on the more expensive scooters. <strong>Tires</strong>—also essential—are either pneumatic (air-filled) or airless. The latter are solid and much less comfortable, although they require virtually no maintenance. There is something called an <strong>IP Rating</strong> (ingress protection), which rates how water-resistant the scooter is. This would be important for protecting the parts from damage. IP Ratings go from x0 (no protection) to X7+ (can be fully submerged). If you plan to ride in the rain, you need at least IPx4. </p>
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<p><strong>Distributors</strong> are the places you buy the electric scooters. ESG lists three types: Domestic (shops or online), direct from China, or a crowd-funded campaign. They recommend buying domestically. Shipping from China is cheaper, if unreliable, and crowd-funded campaigns are exciting, but more of an investment opportunity (be prepared to lose your money and wait a year or more for a scooter).</p>
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<p><strong>Maintenance – </strong>It’s important to consider how you’ll fix your scooter if it breaks. You should expect any scooter to require some maintenance. Some companies don’t offer replacement parts, so you may have to learn how to fix it yourself. Preventative maintenance saves a lot of trouble, and the guide offers links to detailed maintenance information.</p>
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<h3><strong>Hands-On Reviews</strong></h3>
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<p>As you’ve seen already, the ESG is very detailed. The reviews are arranged by price categories, making it easy to compare products in the category you plan to shop in. There are more choices in the lower price categories, for example, 10 options in the $300-600 range, and unsurprisingly, just three in the $3,000 plus group. Each scooter, regardless of price, gets a thumbnail photo and a one-short-sentence description, with a link to the full review.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="915" height="664" src="//i3.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Under-1600-Scooters.png" alt="Electric Scooter Guide comparison chart" class="wp-image-27155" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Under-1600-Scooters.png 915w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Under-1600-Scooters-300x218.png 300w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Under-1600-Scooters-768x557.png 768w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Under-1600-Scooters-325x235.png 325w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 915px) 100vw, 915px" /><figcaption><strong>Reviews are filled with charts like this</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
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<p>Once you click the link, you’ll get multiple photos, tech specs, highlights, and a summary, including a video and other scooters to consider. </p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="761" height="524" src="//i3.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Off-road-scooter.png" alt="An off-road electric scooter" class="wp-image-27156" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Off-road-scooter.png 761w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Off-road-scooter-300x207.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 761px) 100vw, 761px" /><figcaption><strong>The Wolf CT1 Warrior 11</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
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<p>Following the intro section is a thorough review, including performance tests, features, warranty/post-purchase support, and conclusions. They may even include comparisons with the previous version or a close competitor.</p>
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<p>ESG explains their exhaustive five-step review process. It starts with the <strong>initial unboxing and assembly</strong>, which identifies possible issues. The assembled scooter is <strong>ridden for a week</strong> each by two team members to sort out the details. Then, they <strong>run performance testing</strong> for acceleration, braking distance, range, and hill climbing. Then, they <strong>get together as a group</strong> and produce written and video reviews. The final piece is <strong>long-term testing</strong>, which exposes any durability issues.</p>
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<p>This section, frankly, looks more thorough than what major automotive buff magazines do—almost more like <em>Consumer Reports</em>. Excellent.</p>
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<h3><strong>The YouTube Video Show</strong></h3>
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<p>I tuned in to one of Chuck’s shows on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxCZG3mLNMgkEpUPoWqyPkQ/videos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube</a>. Professionally recorded, they feature Chuck’s folksy charm as he talks about the topic of the day.</p>
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<h3><strong>Scooter Database</strong></h3>
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<p>There’s even more to this sprawling site. ESG offers a constantly updated database that contains detailed information on every available scooter, based on manufacturers’ data. You can set a filter at the top for Metric (kilos) or Imperial (pounds), beginner or advanced, and “All” or “Curated.” I’m not sure what the difference between All and Curated is, but there is LOTS of content available.</p>
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<h3><strong>Safety and Gear</strong></h3>
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<p>Scooters are fun, but can be dangerous if not driven carefully. Even then, it’s best to be equipped with a good helmet and other crucial accessories. Currently, <a href="https://electric-scooter.guide/safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this tab</a> on the home page contains seven valuable articles about keeping safe while you’re riding.</p>
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<h3><strong>Coupon Codes</strong></h3>
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<p>There are deals to be had, from discounts to free accessories. All of this is listed in <a href="https://riderguide.com/best-rated/best-electric-scooters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one tab</a>, but is also provided in the individual scooter reviews.</p>
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<h3><strong>Summary</strong></h3>
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<p>The Electric Scooter Guide is a compendium of expertly written reviews and carefully maintained content that should make it easy for anyone to figure out which scooter to buy for their needs and budget. Readers will also learn how to take care of their new scooter, and how to protect themselves while riding it. It’s a gateway for connection with fellow enthusiasts. The YouTube channel is fun for enthusiasts to enjoy this growing transportation phenomenon. And with a busy Facebook page and a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/electricscooterguide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook Group</a> with more than 5,000 members, the Electric Scooter Guide gives you everything you need for your electric two-wheeled commute or adventure. </p>
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<p><em>Story by Steve Schaefer; photos from ESG</em></p>
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<p><strong><em>More Scooter News</em></strong></p>
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<p>News: <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/news-bird-scooters-improve-as-they-relaunch/">Bird Scooters Improve As They Relaunch</a></p>
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<p>Micromobility: <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/micromobility-superpedestrian-creates-a-better-scooter/">Superpedestrian Creates a Better Scooter</a></p>
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<p>Personal: <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/personal-skip-scooters-a-first-ride/">Skip Scooters—A First Ride</a></p>
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<p>Micromobility: <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/micromobility-scoot-rolls-out-bird-two-e-scooter-in-sf/">Scoot Rolls Out Bird Two E-Scooter in SF</a></p>
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<p>Interview: <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/interview-melinda-hanson-of-bird/">Melinda Hanson of Bird</a></p>
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<p> </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/buyers-guide-electric-scooter-guide/">Buyer’s Guide: Electric Scooter Guide</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://cleanfleetreport.com/buyers-guide-electric-scooter-guide/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
</item>
<item>
<title>News: Bird Scooters Improve as They Relaunch</title>
<link>https://cleanfleetreport.com/news-bird-scooters-improve-as-they-relaunch/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=news-bird-scooters-improve-as-they-relaunch</link>
<comments>https://cleanfleetreport.com/news-bird-scooters-improve-as-they-relaunch/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Steve Schaefer]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2020 23:20:25 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Electric Vehicles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Micromobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Bird electric scooters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[COVID-19 update]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric scooter technology]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric scooter use]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric scooters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[micromobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[shared electric scooters]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cleanfleetreport.com/?p=25096</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Bird, a leader in the electric scooter market, is relaunching in some cities with not only a strict regimen of protective cleaning, but with a new feature that makes it faster than ever to grab and use a scooter.</p>
The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/news-bird-scooters-improve-as-they-relaunch/">News: Bird Scooters Improve as They Relaunch</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Micromobility Revamps in a Different Market</strong></h2>
<p>Bird, a leader in the electric scooter market, is relaunching in some cities with not only a strict regimen of protective cleaning, but with a new feature that makes it faster than ever to grab and use a scooter. Now, welcome Quick Start.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Say goodbye to scans" width="877" height="493" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iP395I_ftag?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div><figcaption><strong>A quick video about Quick Start</strong></figcaption></figure>
<p>If your key stays in your pocket when you enter and start your car, you already get the hang of it. Rather than having to scan a QR code on the scooter with your phone, now you just walk near it and press the <strong>Start</strong> button that appears on your phone. Then, off you go.</p>
<p>“Our product, design and development teams are continually striving to innovate and push the industry forward for the benefit of our community,” said Scott Rushforth, chief vehicle officer at Bird. “Quick Start is the latest industry-first feature to emerge from this collaboration, and it’s one that we believe will deliver riders a more magical micromobility experience.”</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Safety During COVID-19 Restrictions</strong></h3>
<p>If you’re concerned about the safety of using a shared scooter now, here are the steps Bird is taking to ensure its scooters are clean and ready to go:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>They have set clear guidelines for deep cleaning and sanitizing the scooters</li><li>They thoroughly sanitize each vehicle every time they are recharged or serviced with CDC-approved disinfectant products</li><li>They perform regular spot cleanings in the field on surfaces such as bells, throttles and handlebars</li><li>Technicians use face masks, hand sanitizer, nitrile gloves, protective goggles and disinfectant sprays and wipes, and are required to wash their hands regularly and dispose of gloves after each use</li></ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Riding Longer</strong></h3>
<p>And riders are coming back as shelter-in-place restrictions lift. Interestingly, they are taking longer rides, too.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="584" height="329" src="//i0.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/bird-scooters-1.jpeg" alt="Bird electric scooters" class="wp-image-25098" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/bird-scooters-1.jpeg 584w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/bird-scooters-1-300x169.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px" /><figcaption><strong>Bird scooters are being used longer–and can be purchased</strong></figcaption></figure>
<p>“Over the past month, we’ve seen sustained increases in trip duration of more than 50%,” said Ryan Fujiu, chief product officer at Bird. “We’re seeing strong indications that it may be a much longer-term trend related to things like public transit concerns, nearly a thousand miles of new open streets and a spike in the construction of protected cycling infrastructure.”</p>
<p>Some of those long rides may be turning into purchases as Bird has also launched a store at shop.bird.co to sell its scooters for adults and kids.</p>
<p>Perhaps riders are using the scooters instead of taking the bus. Or maybe people are just happy to get out of their houses again.</p>
<p><strong><em>Related Stories You Might Enjoy–More Scooter News</em></strong></p>
<p>Personal: <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/personal-skip-scooters-a-first-ride/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Skip Scooters–A First Ride</a></p>
<p>Micromobility: <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/micromobility-scoot-rolls-out-bird-two-e-scooter-in-sf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scoot Rolls Out Bird Two E-Scooter in SF</a></p>
<p>News: <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/news-the-future-of-yamaha-at-the-46th-tokyo-motor-show/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Future of Yamaha</a></p>
<p>Interview: <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/interview-melinda-hanson-of-bird/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melinda Hanson of Bird</a></p>
<p></p>The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/news-bird-scooters-improve-as-they-relaunch/">News: Bird Scooters Improve as They Relaunch</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></content:encoded>
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<slash:comments>19</slash:comments>
</item>
<item>
<title>Micromobility: Scoot Rolls Out Bird Two e-Scooter in SF</title>
<link>https://cleanfleetreport.com/micromobility-scoot-rolls-out-bird-two-e-scooter-in-sf/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=micromobility-scoot-rolls-out-bird-two-e-scooter-in-sf</link>
<comments>https://cleanfleetreport.com/micromobility-scoot-rolls-out-bird-two-e-scooter-in-sf/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Steve Schaefer]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2020 07:44:13 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Electric Vehicles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Micromobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[battery]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Bird e-scooters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric scooters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[micromobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Scoot e-scooters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[tech]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cleanfleetreport.com/?p=21005</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Bird’s latest model, the Bird Two, aims to address battery range, rider safety, damage, theft and longevity, aiding both riders and making running an e-scooter fleet more profitable.</p>
The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/micromobility-scoot-rolls-out-bird-two-e-scooter-in-sf/">Micromobility: Scoot Rolls Out Bird Two e-Scooter in SF</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Latest Model Offers More Range, Durability</strong></h2>
<p>If you’ve been in the city lately, you’ve probably noticed
people zipping around on electric scooters (e-scooters). They’re great for
quick trips, being faster than walking and requiring no parking space. But,
there are issues with scooters, including battery range, rider safety, damage,
theft and longevity. Bird’s latest model, the Bird Two, aims to address these,
both for riders and for making running an e-scooter fleet more profitable.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="913" height="530" src="//i2.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-2-scooters-1.png" alt="Bird Scoot e-scooters" class="wp-image-21007" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-2-scooters-1.png 913w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-2-scooters-1-300x174.png 300w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-2-scooters-1-768x446.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 913px) 100vw, 913px" /><figcaption><strong>Bird is boosting the viability of e-scooters for customers and vendors</strong></figcaption></figure>
<p>Last week (January 30, 2020)
Scoot, owned by Bird, debuted the Bird Two in San Francisco. Scoot plans to
transition all of its existing scooters to the new, improved model. San
Francisco will be the first city to have 1,000 of these scooters on the street.</p>
<p>“With each new generation of
electric vehicle we bring to San Francisco, fewer San Franciscans have a need
to get in a car,” said Michael Keating, founder of Scoot and senior vice president
for cities at Bird. “Bird Two continues this trend with industry-leading
performance, range and safety features, allowing our riders to replace even
more of their car trips with micromobility.” </p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Battery Upgrade</strong></h3>
<p>Bird’s new battery management system can handle extreme weather,
so the battery holds a charge for greater range and lasts longer. Although San
Francisco’s temperatures are moderate most of the time, it still provides an
advantage and keeps the scooters in service more of the time because they spend
less time charging. With the new e-scooter’s greater range, riders can feel
more confident about riding to farther destinations. And the new model’s
sensors and self-diagnosis system send alerts to the fleet operator of
dangerous humidity changes in the battery encasement.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="//i1.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-logo-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-21009" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-logo-1024x1024.png 1024w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-logo-300x300.png 300w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-logo-150x150.png 150w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-logo-768x768.png 768w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-logo-70x70.png 70w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-logo-800x800.png 800w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bird-logo.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Safety</strong></h3>
<p>The Bird Two’s sleek design has fewer exposed screws, so there’s
less chance of an injury while handling the scooter. New puncture-resistant
tires mean safer travel and less maintenance time in the shop for the scooters.
Of course, be sure to wear your helmet while you’re riding!</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Scooter Longevity and
Reliability</strong></h3>
<p>We’ve heard stories of how scooters suffer from vandalism and
theft. The Bird Two has self-reporting damage sensors, like those found in new
cars, so Scoot mechanics can fix scooters fast and get them back out on the
street. An industrial-grade anti-tipping kickstand helps keep the Bird Two
upright when it’s parked, reducing damage from being dropped on the pavement. With
anti-theft encryption, riders are protected from malicious software hacks.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Bottom Line</strong></h3>
<p>E-scooters have come a long way. With these upgrades, the Bird Two
is safer and more pleasant to use. With its extended durability and higher
quality, it can stay in the fleet long enough to keep the business case viable
while taking cars off the road. And that’s the real point, isn’t it?</p>
<p>For more information, visit the <a href="https://two.bird.co/">Bird Two website</a>.</p>
<p><em>A version of this story originally appeared on <a href="https://stevegoesgreen.com/2020/02/01/scoot-rolls-out-bird-two-the-latest-generation-e-scooter-in-san-francisco/">SteveGoesGreen</a>.</em></p>The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/micromobility-scoot-rolls-out-bird-two-e-scooter-in-sf/">Micromobility: Scoot Rolls Out Bird Two e-Scooter in SF</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></content:encoded>
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<title>News: The Future of Yamaha at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show</title>
<link>https://cleanfleetreport.com/news-the-future-of-yamaha-at-the-46th-tokyo-motor-show/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=news-the-future-of-yamaha-at-the-46th-tokyo-motor-show</link>
<comments>https://cleanfleetreport.com/news-the-future-of-yamaha-at-the-46th-tokyo-motor-show/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michael Lange]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 22 Dec 2019 02:25:15 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Electric Motorcycles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Future EVs]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[46th Tokyo Motor Show]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric bikes]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric motorcycles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric scooters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[EO1]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[EO2]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[MW-Vision]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Yamaha future EVs]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[YOJ-YZ]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cleanfleetreport.com/?p=20027</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Yamaha unveiled four new models to the world at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show, each representing a vision of the future of alternative fuel vehicles.</p>
The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/news-the-future-of-yamaha-at-the-46th-tokyo-motor-show/">News: The Future of Yamaha at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Electric Power Lineup Grows</strong></h2>
<p>The
Tokyo Motor Show is about as close as you can get to time travel. The brightest
minds in Japanese automotive design showcase models years, perhaps decades
before they see a showroom floor. It’s an R&D department’s ball of sorts,
where patent filings transform into the proofs of concept we can actually see
in the flesh—or wood, clay and fiberglass.
</p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="593" src="//i0.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_03-1-1024x593.jpg" alt="Yamaha MW-Vision electric leaning bike" class="wp-image-20036" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_03-1-1024x593.jpg 1024w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_03-1-300x174.jpg 300w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_03-1-768x445.jpg 768w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_03-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption><strong>Yamaha looks at the future and see more electric bikes</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>Yamaha
has been slowly growing its electrically powered lineup for several years with
agricultural drones, personal mobility devices, scooters and even a trials
motorcycle. For the 46th annual event, the company unveiled four new models to
the world, each representing a vision of the future of alternative fuel
vehicles. </p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>MW-Vision-A New Way to Ride</strong></h3>
<p>One
of Yamaha’s core principals as a company, is to create “Kando”–a Japanese word
for the simultaneous feeling of deep satisfaction and intense excitement that
people experience when they encounter something of exceptional value.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="461" height="480" src="//i1.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_04.jpg" alt="Yamaha MW-Vision electric leaning bike" class="wp-image-20033" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_04.jpg 461w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_04-288x300.jpg 288w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 461px) 100vw, 461px" /><figcaption><strong>Leaning into the future</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>The MW-Vision concept is based on the Leaning Multi-Wheel (LMW) platform–Yamaha’s designation for three (or more)-wheeled vehicles that lean when turning. The spirit of this design is to bring a new sense of “Kando,” integrating user and machine, carving through turns like a motorcycle while in an enclosed canopy. An interactive sensory experience is provided through light and sound with ViReal 3D audio technology. </p>
<p>Details
on the power unit are limited, with Yamaha only stating it is a “<em>series hybrid system.”</em> Yamaha has hinted
at various hybrid technologies in the past, such as its power assist system–a
small combustion engine acting as a starter/generator, producing electricity to
be stored and used provide smooth power from a stop, then allowing the engine
to take over as the power source for cruising. </p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>EO1 and EO2-Bringing Quiet to the City </strong></h3>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="480" height="320" src="//i0.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_12.jpg" alt="Yamaha EO1 electric scooter" class="wp-image-20031" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_12.jpg 480w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_12-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /><figcaption><strong>An electric scooter with style</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>Yamaha’s
two new scooter concepts, hint at what the future of two-wheel urban commuting
might look like. The EO1 fits into the 125cc class in terms of performance,
ideal for light highway duty or longer trips with quick charge capability and longer
range from its fixed, lithium-ion battery. </p>
<p>The
E02 is more of an entry-level option, comparable to a 50cc, lighter in weight
and maneuverable for the urban environment. Details on battery range and charge
time have not been made available, however we do know its batteries are
removable, perhaps allowing users to swap out a fresh one for the ride home. </p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="480" height="320" src="//i0.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_01-1-1.jpg" alt="Yamaha EO2 electric scooter" class="wp-image-20039" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_01-1-1.jpg 480w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_01-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /><figcaption><strong>A shorter range model</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>YPJ-YZ-The eMTB Gets Serious</strong></h3>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="480" height="320" src="//i1.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_01.jpg" alt="Yamaha YPJ-YZ electric bike" class="wp-image-20029" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_01.jpg 480w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_01-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /><figcaption><strong>An electric bike to hit the trails</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>Yamaha
created the first electric power-assisted bicycle (PAS) in 1989; 30 years later
they continue to innovate eMTB design. The YPJ-YZ takes its engineering queues
from the YZ-series motocross models, centralizing mass for improved handling.
The downtube is split to accommodate the 500-watt-hour, lithium-ion battery
while keeping it low in the frame. </p>
<p>The
mid-drive, PW-X2 motor is Yamaha’s high-end sport powerplant, delivering 250 watts
of power and 80 newton-meters of torque. Three riding modes-Eco, Standard and
High provide users with the optimum level of power assist to suit any riding
condition. </p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="320" height="214" src="//i2.wp.com/cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_08.jpg" alt="Yamaha YPJ-YZ electric bike" class="wp-image-20030" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_08.jpg 320w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo_08-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /><figcaption><strong>A serious shock</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>Inverted
single crown forks and a Fox Float DPX2 rear shock could make it a hit with the
enduro crowd, perhaps even suitable for a day on a downhill course. It’s gold
fork stanchions and blue color scheme are a nice tip of the cap to the YZ
motocross influence. </p>
<p>Although
the MV-Vision and the EO scooter models may not see U.S. roads in the near
future, there is a realistic chance of the YPJ-YZ making its way to a trail
near you in the coming years. </p>
<p>Visit
your local Yamaha dealer, <a href="https://www.yamahabicycles.com/">www.yamahabicycles.com</a> or <a href="http://www.yamahamotorsports.com.">www.yamahamotorsports.com</a> for more information. </p>The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/news-the-future-of-yamaha-at-the-46th-tokyo-motor-show/">News: The Future of Yamaha at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Interview: Melinda Hanson of Bird</title>
<link>https://cleanfleetreport.com/interview-melinda-hanson-of-bird/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=interview-melinda-hanson-of-bird</link>
<comments>https://cleanfleetreport.com/interview-melinda-hanson-of-bird/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Steve Schaefer]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Nov 2019 08:15:37 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Connected Mobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Electric Vehicles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Interview]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Micromobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sustainability]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sustainable Mobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Bird e-scooters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric scooters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[EV]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[micromobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Personal]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[scooter]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[sustainability]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://cleanfleetreport.com/?p=19310</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Bird, the two-year-old, Santa-Monica-based scooter-sharing company, has been growing and developing its trademark electric scooters since it was founded in September 2017.</p>
The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/interview-melinda-hanson-of-bird/">Interview: Melinda Hanson of Bird</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bird
Flies Sustainably with Sturdy Scooters</strong></h2>
<p><a href="https://www.bird.co/">Bird</a>, the two-year-old, Santa-Monica-based scooter-sharing company, has been growing and developing its trademark electric scooters since it was founded in September 2017. One question about scooters, though, is how <em>sustainable</em> they are. I spoke with Bird’s head of sustainability, Melinda Hanson, at last month’s <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.greenbiz.com/events/verge/2024" target="_blank">VERGE 19 in Oakland</a> to find out.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="250" height="316" src="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/mhansonweb.jpg" alt="Melinda Hanson, Bird e-scooters" class="wp-image-19314" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/mhansonweb.jpg 250w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/mhansonweb-237x300.jpg 237w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" /><figcaption><strong>Melinda Hanson wants to get you to downsize from four wheels to two</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>Hanson has two facets to her role: One is promoting the carbon
mitigation potential of electric vehicles while helping cities meet their clean
energy transportation goals. The other is working to make sure Bird itself is a
more sustainable company.</p>
<p>Hanson is focused on developing climate policy that gets people
into EVs, including the small scooters that are Bird’s mainstay. She’s
concerned emissions are still going up despite the rise of EVs and scooters.</p>
<p>As anyone who lives in a city can attest, the scooter sharing
business is booming.</p>
<p>“The main growth in EVs in 2018 was in scooters,” said Hanson.</p>
<p>She told me that Bird’s goal is to get people out of their cars
for short trips, especially in crowded cities.</p>
<p>“The data show that many car trips are less than three miles,”
said Hanson. “They should be riding scooters.”</p>
<p>I asked if people were really replacing car trips with scooters
and Hanson said that one-third to one-half of e-scooter trips were replacing
personal car trips—and much of the rest was in place of using ridesharing
services, such as Uber and Lyft—which are not environmentally positive if
they’re powered by internal combustion engines—and contribute to traffic
congestion.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Serious Scooters</strong></h3>
<p>Bird takes its scooters seriously. They have developed and
refined them over the last two years to be more robust, so they last longer.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="584" height="339" src="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/birdtwo_1.jpg" alt="Bird e-scooters" class="wp-image-19315" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/birdtwo_1.jpg 584w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/birdtwo_1-300x174.jpg 300w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/birdtwo_1-500x290.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px" /><figcaption><strong>Bird took its electric scooters back to the drawing board</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>“Our first scooters were consumer models, not rugged enough for
many trips a day by multiple people,” said Hanson. Bird has built its own
custom models now, which they test for ruggedness. They have learned a lot from
the last two years.</p>
<p>“We used to have screws come loose, and shock absorbers wore
out,” Hanson said. “We have increased frame density and put on better
kickstands,” she said.</p>
<p>The Bird 2 model—the newest one—is much improved. The company
wants riding a Bird to be a great experience, so customers will come back and
ride them regularly.</p>
<p>Bird has doubled the battery capacity of the latest scooters.
This means that they can be used by more customers before needing to come in to
be recharged. To facilitate local charging, Bird has a distributed charging
program where gig workers can pick up the scooters and charge them at home and
put them back on the street. These folks are called “chargers.”</p>
<p>“We want to reduce friction,” Hanson said. That means making not
only the riding experience fun and easy, but also signup and payment.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expanding the Portfolio</strong></h3>
<p>Bird has started working with Scoot, a company it acquired in
June, to bring out other types of two-wheel transportation, such as mopeds.</p>
<p>“We want to provide a bunch of vehicles for different trip
modes,” said Hanson. But the starter vehicle is still likely to be the little
scooter, which is easy to ride and easy to park.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Bird-lineup-2019-1-1280x720-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="Bird e-scooters" class="wp-image-19316" srcset="https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Bird-lineup-2019-1-1280x720-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Bird-lineup-2019-1-1280x720-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Bird-lineup-2019-1-1280x720-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Bird-lineup-2019-1-1280x720-1-500x281.jpg 500w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Bird-lineup-2019-1-1280x720-1-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Bird-lineup-2019-1-1280x720-1-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cleanfleetreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Bird-lineup-2019-1-1280x720-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption><strong>Keeping it on two wheels, but offering some choice</strong></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>Safety is a concern, and Bird has worked with cities to try to
create bike lanes. They have offered to send riders free helmets (the customer
pays only for shipping).</p>
<p>Hanson is looking for a systems impact. She thinks there’s room
to start converting parking spaces to scooter parking at some point, when there
are enough of them out there.</p>
<p>“When scooters become a major aspect of urban mobility the
streets will start changing the way they look,” said Hanson.</p>
<p>Why will Bird succeed where others falter? Hanson thinks their
emphasis on a great customer experience will lead to winning in the
marketplace. And, their major investments in R&D to create better quality
scooters will help too.</p>
<p>Summing up, Bird’s goal is to improve the overall efficiency of
vehicles, using clean energy; they want to get people out of their cars for all
those short trips. And they want to do it sustainably.</p>The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/interview-melinda-hanson-of-bird/">Interview: Melinda Hanson of Bird</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Personal: Skip Scooters–a First Ride</title>
<link>https://cleanfleetreport.com/personal-skip-scooters-a-first-ride/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=personal-skip-scooters-a-first-ride</link>
<comments>https://cleanfleetreport.com/personal-skip-scooters-a-first-ride/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Steve Schaefer]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2019 07:13:36 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Connected Mobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Electric Vehicles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Micromobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Personal]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[clean fleet report]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[commuters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric scooters]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[electric vehicle]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[EV]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[micromobility]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[test drive]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.cleanfleetreport.com/?p=17537</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Micromobility, as represented by scooters and electrically assisted bikes, is with us now. It makes a lot of sense in dense urban areas, where driving a car is a pain and environmentally irresponsible.</p>
The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/personal-skip-scooters-a-first-ride/">Personal: Skip Scooters–a First Ride</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> </p>
<h2><strong>Micromobility — A City Option</strong></h2>
<p>I just tried my first electric scooter! It’s easy, fun, and a little scary, too.</p>
<p>It began with seeing little blue Skip scooters tied to posts and trees around downtown San Francisco. I’ve just started a new job working in the city again after a few decades, and things have changed. My company builds and sells software for carsharing and ridesharing (and in the future, hopefully scooters, too), so I was eager to sample one of the new “<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/adeyemiajao/2019/02/01/everything-you-want-to-know-about-scooters-and-micro-mobility/#63c9846a5de6">micromobility</a>” options.</p>
<p><figure id="attachment_17540" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17540" style="width: 470px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-17540" src="https://cleanfleetreport.com//wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Skip-Scooter.jpg" alt="Skip Scooter" width="480" height="640" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-17540" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>Available where you find them</strong></figcaption></figure></p>
<p>Skip scooters are available where you find them, but to ride one, you first need to download the app. That takes about a minute, from searching for it on your Apple or Android phone and waiting for it to download. When you open the app, it explains how to use the app and also how to ride the scooter safely. You can sign up for an account by adding in your personal information, such as driver’s license and credit card.</p>
<p>I decided that this particular Friday afternoon was a great time to try a scooter. Using the app, I located a couple of them near my office and set out to find them.</p>
<p>I followed the map and looked–but no scooter! Then I looked across the street. I must have missed something, because there it was. The app made it look like it was on my side of the street.</p>
<p>I went up and tried to scan the QR code. The app then asked me for my driver’s license (front and back). Leaving the scooter tethered, I went to find a slightly more private spot to photograph my license on the street. The app warned me of “glare,” but I got two decent images. Then, I had to enter my credit card information.</p>
<p>After this, when I put my phone up by the QR code, it gave me a four-digit combination to enter to unlock the scooter’s combination cable lock. Then, all I did was recoil the cable onto the scooter frame and pulled the bike over onto a piece of open sidewalk.</p>
<h3><strong>And I’m Off</strong></h3>
<p>One push, and I was off. The accelerator is a thumb paddle on the right side of the handlebars. On the left is a matching one that slows the scooter down. There’s a manual foot brake that rubs against the wheel, but I think it’s more like an “emergency brake” since the thumb brake worked fine during my .07-mile ride.</p>
<p><figure id="attachment_17541" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17541" style="width: 349px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-17541" src="https://cleanfleetreport.com//wp-content/uploads/2019/04/screen-shot.png" alt="Skip Scooter" width="359" height="640" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-17541" class="wp-caption-text"><strong>The app gets you started</strong></figcaption></figure></p>
<p>After zipping along the sidewalk (proscribed by Skip and the City of S.F.), I got onto the actual street, after looking both ways carefully. I then spent the rest of my ride in back alleys, where I had lots of space and few cars to deal with.</p>
<p>The little Skip takes off strongly with its electric motor–just like an electric car, but without the mass. Of course, the motor and battery are tiny, so it all balances out. When you rent a scooter, the app tells you the percentage of charge left and approximate range you can expect. I assume going up hills would use up charge more quickly. I don’t think there’s a regen feature to add charge when you brake or go downhill, as in a car.</p>
<h3><strong>Protection Optional—But Available</strong></h3>
<p>I wasn’t wearing a helmet–a bad idea–but I was just testing it, right? Most of the riders I’ve seen so far don’t wear them, possibly because they just hopped on it for a quick trip. However, if you take at least one ride, Skip will send you a helmet for free (you pay $10 shipping). When I got back to my office, I ordered mine using the app. I’ll wait for my helmet to arrive before taking another spin, just to be safe. However, even with a helmet, cruising up to 18 miles an hour down a street full of cars, potholes, pedestrians, and who knows what else seems like a risky proposition with no protection whatsoever.</p>
<p>When I was done with my test ride, I parked the scooter and attached it to a handy street sign pole. As a first timer, I neglected to wrap the lock cable around the pole a bunch of times like I should have, and I somehow missed the step in the app of taking and sending a “parking photo,” but the loan completed fine and my bank account was lighter by $2.75. I had a brisk sense of adventure and a little chill from moving at that speed with just a sweatshirt on.</p>
<p>Micromobility, as represented by scooters and electrically assisted bikes, is with us now. It makes a lot of sense in dense urban areas, where driving a car is a pain and environmentally irresponsible. It’s perfect “last mile” transportation from public transit to an office front door. I look forward to the day when downtowns are designed for scooters, with wide, car-free bike lanes separated from the cars and buses.</p>The post <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com/personal-skip-scooters-a-first-ride/">Personal: Skip Scooters–a First Ride</a> first appeared on <a href="https://cleanfleetreport.com">Clean Fleet Report</a>.]]></content:encoded>
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