KINGMAN – The City Council expects more information from the company proposing a new four-year revenue sharing agreement to place its rental scooters back on the streets of Kingman. Several dozen of the rental scooters were pulled from the community last month following expiration of the initial agreement with Bird Rides, Inc.
Bird Executive Kylee Floodman told council members Sept. 5 that the Kingman-placed scooters provided nearly 10,000 rides over some 18 months. She said average usage was 17 minutes and some 3.3 miles per scooter ride.
Floodman said the company wants to expand its service area and number of scooter units to 100 in a new operating agreement. She could not, however, answer a number of questions and concerns involving indemnification and scooter use by youth and she promised to return to council with more information.
Mayor Ken Watkins noted he was against the scooter program initially but that his position softened to acceptance, given use by locals and tourists alike for basic transportation or exploration and entertainment. Several council members though, noted citizen complaints about the scooters being left laying on their sides for extended periods of time, scattered about the community with many ditched at the “Green Hole.”.
During a meeting in which he announced his relocation-related resignation, outgoing councilman Cameron Patt blasted the program.
“I want to shoot this down now. It’s a blight. These things are eyesores. I think that they’re tacky and overall silly for the city,” Patt said. “Bird Scooters has no business being in Kingman, seriously. Let’s just kill the bill. Let’s vote no.”
Vice Mayor Cherish Sammeli said she understands concerns and criticisms but said that she’s not ready to dance Patt’s boot scooter boogie.
“I’m opposed to nixing the program. I think it can be tweaked,” Sammeli said.
It’s not clear when the company will return to Council to answer questions in pursuit of a new fee-share deal. Finance Director Tina Moline said the city netted less than $900 while Bird operated in Kingman for more than 18 months.
