Latest news with #BirdCanada
CTV News
01-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Bird Canada's ‘United Way Day' brings in several thousand dollars for Calgary and area charity
The final numbers are still being tallied, but Bird Canada says its first United Way Day in Calgary was a success. The final numbers are still being tallied, but Bird Canada says its first United Way Day in Calgary was a success. The event looks to have pulled in somewhere between $3,000 and $5,000 for charity, the e-bike and e-scooter company told CTV News Calgary on Tuesday. On Monday, $1 from every scooter and bike ride taken in the city was earmarked for donation to the United Way of Calgary and Area. It was expected to be a busy time for Bird, heading into Canada Day and the Calgary Stampede. Bird's early estimates show it hit between 3,000 and 5,000 rides. 'We're thrilled with the response from Calgarians during Bird Canada's United Way Day—early numbers show thousands of rides taken to support local causes, and we couldn't be more proud,' Bird Canada CEO Stewart Lyons said Tuesday. 'It's a powerful reminder of how micromobility can bring people together and drive real impact in our communities.' This was the first time Bird partnered with the United Way of Calgary and Area on a fundraiser like this, and it's looking to make it into an annual campaign. On Monday, United Way expressed its excitement about the initiative. 'It's just so helpful to be able to take a ride on a scooter, to be able to ride on an e-bike, and know that you're giving back in some way to our local community,' director of marketing Jennifer Dooley-May said. With files by Adam Brilz
Hamilton Spectator
30-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
$1 from Every Bird Ride in Calgary on June 30 to Support United Way of Calgary and Area
Calgary, AB, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bird Canada, the country's leading micromobility provider, is proud to announce the first-ever United Way Day in Calgary. On Monday, June 30, 2025, $1 from every Bird e-scooter and e-bike ride taken in the city will be donated to United Way of Calgary and Area (United Way), supporting vital programs focused on poverty reduction, mental health and social isolation. 'United Way Day is a chance for Calgarians to get moving and give back—all in one ride,' says Stewart Lyons, CEO of Bird Canada. 'We're thrilled to support the incredible work United Way is doing right here in our city and to provide our riders with a simple way to make a meaningful impact.' Whether commuting, running errands or just enjoying a summer day, every ride on June 30 will directly contribute to building a more resilient and inclusive Calgary. Bird Canada has operated in Calgary since 2019 and remains committed to community-driven, sustainable service delivery. 'Bird is helping remove barriers and bring people together in a simple, accessible way—while also giving back to the city we all call home,' says Jennifer Dooley-May, Director of Marketing at United Way of Calgary and Area. 'It's always inspiring to see Calgary-based organizations stepping up for our community,' says Mayor Jyoti Gondek, City of Calgary. 'Bird Canada's partnership with United Way Calgary is a great example of how local innovation can help drive real social impact. Initiatives like this one reflect the spirit of generosity that defines our city.' Bird's Calgary operations have already surpassed 3.5 million rides, and 9 million kilometres traveled. With sights set to reach four million rides this year, Bird continues to play a key role in reducing emissions, activating public spaces, and supporting local neighborhoods. How to Participate: About Bird Canada Bird Canada is a Canadian-owned and operated micromobility company dedicated to providing eco-friendly transportation solutions. With operations in cities across the country, Bird Canada reduces traffic congestion and carbon emissions through its e-scooter and e-bike programs. About United Way of Calgary and Area United Way of Calgary and Area has been uniting people and partners for 85 years to create lasting social change. Through strategic investments and collaboration, United Way tackles complex issues like poverty, mental health and social isolation—ensuring support stays local and community-driven. Learn more at .
CTV News
27-06-2025
- CTV News
Saskatoon parents launch lawsuit, driver pleads guilty in fatal e-scooter crash
A Saskatoon man was killed when the electric scooter he was riding was struck by an alleged drunk driver. (Noah Rishaug/CTV News) The parents of a 25-year-old Saskatoon man who was hit and killed while riding an electric scooter last summer have filed a lawsuit. Chet and Tera Walker are suing the driver, the scooter company Bird Canada and the city of Saskatoon, alleging negligence. A statement of defence has not been filed. Their son, Austin Walker, was hit and killed on Warman Road near the Circle Drive overpass on June 20, 2024. Walker was on his way home from his friend's house after watching hockey. Chet Walker Chet Walker next to his son's Dalmeny Sabres jersey. (Stacey Hein / CTV News) The driver, Wade Chaboyer, has pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30 under a joint submission. In their lawsuit, the Walkers allege Bird Canada was negligent by allowing scooters to be operated on roads with speed limits over 50 km/h. They claim the city was negligent for 'requiring e-scooter riders to use dangerous roadways' and failed to work with the scooter company to establish 'no-go zones.' The suit further alleges Chaboyer was 'driving at an excessive speed for the conditions' and failed to 'avoid a collision that was foreseeable and preventable.' The allegations have not been tested in court. The family is seeking $60,000 in damages.
CBC
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Halifax's shared e-bike, scooter pilot causing some accessibility issues, say advocates
In the last week, Tara Niekamp has come across electric scooters from Halifax's new micromobility pilot program parked where they're not supposed to be — in the middle of the sidewalk. For people who are blind or have sight loss, this can pose an injury risk, Niekamp said. And even if someone notices it ahead of time, there are still challenges. "The natural path around it may not be as obvious," said Niekamp, who lives with sight loss and is co-chair of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind's volunteer Nova Scotia strategic leadership council. "You may end up having to backtrack and reroute yourself, which can be really challenging, especially if you're new to blindness or low vision and you've only got a couple sort of routes that you feel really confident and safe doing." The devices are supposed to be taken from and dropped off in specific parking areas. But in the location where CBC News interviewed Niekamp on Monday, one scooter was seen outside the area marked off on the ground by white tape. Michelle Mahoney, who is a person with a disability and accessibility officer for the University of King's College, has seen the new scooters obstructing sidewalks multiple times. "That's not good," she said. The two-year pilot program launched on May 15 with the aim of improving urban transportation options. There are nearly 600 e-bikes and e-scooters now dotted around urban areas of Halifax and Dartmouth, according to Bird Canada, the company delivering the program. So far, riders have travelled more than 24,000 kilometres, with an average trip length of 2.8 kilometres, said Austin Spademan, head of government partnerships for the company. Bird has a team of 15 people who patrol the city to address issues, such as where the devices are parked. There will be more staff hired, he said. Spademan said the company also uses technology to prevent devices from being left in the middle of the sidewalk. "It's using Google AI to validate where that device is parked … basically to the centimetre level," he said. If a rider leaves a device outside of a designated parking area, they are given a warning. A fine is issued for a second infraction and a ban is issued on the third occasion. Spademan said no fines have been issued in Halifax. Based on other places across Canada where the company operates, he said people issued a warning do not reoffend in about 98 per cent of cases. On Monday, CBC observed and notified Spademan of a parking station on Brunswick Street that took up approximately half of the sidewalk's width. The company then moved the station to a different location the same day. In a statement, Halifax Regional Municipality spokesperson Laura Wright said the station did not meet accessibility criteria and that the city has been working with Bird to adjust and improve the locations. "Starting this week, additional shared micromobility parking locations will be located on-street, which will help to keep sidewalks clear," she wrote. For people with sight loss who use a white cane, Niekamp said having a raised lip around designated parking stations could help them navigate more easily. Accessibility is a "fundamental factor" of the pilot, Wright said. She said the municipality tracks misuse of the devices through 311 and Bird, with residents able to report incidents to the company directly.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
E-bikes prove popular in Halifax while raising concerns for advocacy group
Bird Canada has brought 300 e-scooters and 200 e-bikes to the Halifax region and says in the first 20 days these devices have received more usage here than when the company first introduced them to other cities. Austin Spademan with Bird Canada even says it's 'record breaking' in terms of initial usage. 'We have already clocked over 24,000 kilometers, which is crazy, and across 3,600 Haligonians have used our service. They are riding an average of 2.36 rides per rider,' says Spademan. 'I think it's great to have more active transportation options,' says Alex Setchell, a Halifax resident. Bird Canada, a Canadian company, has a goal of getting people out of their vehicles. 'Both e-scooters and e-bikes are important tools in the tool kits to give people compelling alternatives to either get straight from where they live to run errands within the community or more importantly connect more with other transit options to completely decouple from completely needing a car to get from point A to point B,' says Spademan. Brynn Budden, public affairs advisor with the Halifax Regional Municipality, says the pilot projects for the e-scooters and e-bikes aim to provide mobility options to residents. 'The system is designed to be affordable and easy to use for both residents and visitors and will complement other existing modes of transportation including Halifax Transit,' says Budden. Bird Canada hopes to grow north of Highway 102 and into Burnside, but for now they are taking things slow. 'We have entered a smaller operating area more, it mainly covers downtown and a few other main areas that are those flex flare zones that I mentioned that we built with the United Way. We are going to grow from here with fleet increases over time as the usage dictates that we could use more vehicles. We are going to do this in partnership with HR,' says Spademan. Anyone can use them but there are rules. 'Definitely should be using the road and all the bike infrastructure, not the sidewalk. In fact, if you are riding on the sidewalk, we can tell,' says Spademan. The devices have sensors that can detect if it's in an area where it's not permitted. They also automatically reduce their speed in designated slow zones. There are consequences for riders who don't follow the guidelines. 'We may give you an email as a rider saying, 'Hey, you know, that's not allowed and you might get in trouble for it so do not be riding on the sidewalks,'' says Spademan. The CNIB Foundation feels those consequences are not enough, and it has concerned for visually-impaired people. 'CNIB has done a lot of advocacies nationwide with e-scooter companies as well as municipal officials and the issues seem to be persisting so I am planning on reaching out to the city to discuss the issue further,' says Shelley Adams, CNIB manager for Atlantic Canada. Tara Niecamp, strategic leadership council co-chair with CNIB, feels not everyone is going to follow the rules. 'For those cases where the policy is not enough, there needs to be really strict penalties, whether that comes down to a financial penalty or revoking of the account for those that don't follow the rules.' says Niecamp. 'For individuals with low vision or who are blind, it's not that easy. Walking, you may not see the device which means that you could trip and fall.' Bird Canada says when they introduced these devices in Ottawa, they worked with groups like the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and have developed a lot of features to make their products less of a potential conflict. 'A lot of that revolves around that parking technology I mentioned, just making sure when our devices are parked that they are out of the public right of way,' says Spademan. The CNIB wants people held accountable. 'The municipality needs to hold the e scooter companies accountable for that and in order to do that the municipality needs to have a system in place where they can track the e-scooters being improperly used,' says Niecamp. 'When you are living with a disability, you are encountering barriers constantly and it is requiring a lot of mental energy even to advocate and report them.' Some Halifax residents say they love the idea, but feel there are a few drawbacks. 'I love this idea of having more transportation options like that aren't vehicles in the city but it was way too expensive and it cost about $15 just to get from the commons down to the waterfront and it was pretty direct and I didn't have to wait a whole lot and also it's not a comfortable ride,' says Shannon Kam. 'The cost goes up pretty quickly if you don't think about it. It will be about $3 a minute sometimes, which is a lot, you know,' says Quinn Marnitz. The municipality admits the project is still in the early stages so components like parking locations and sidewalk detection technologies are still being fine-tuned. E-scooters Hundreds of e-scooters and e-bikes have arrived in Halifax. (Source: Emma Convey/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
