Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Ex-TransAlt CEO presents scooters for the handicapped

 

Bronx Times

It’s electric!

On Thursday, e-scooter company Bird launched a program that can make wheelchairs electric.

People who use wheelchairs and live in the east Bronx neighborhoods included in the city’s e-scooter pilot can now receive a free attachment for the duration of the City Council-mandated program, which began in August 2021 and will run up to two years.

The three companies participating in the pilot: Bird, Lime and Veo are all offering options for people with disabilities, as required by the city as part of the pilot. But Bird’s newly launched program is unique because it offers free devices that users can hold on to for the rest of the pilot period.

Bird has been offering four-wheeled electric power chairs that can be rented through the company’s app for 1-14 day intervals at $10 per day and can be picked up or delivered for a fee depending on the location.

Lime has been offering a similarly structured program, but for free, with a $5 refundable deposit. The company’s three-wheeled seated scooters can be reserved in advance online or through the app 24 hours to 7 days in advance, and be used for 24-hour periods, with free delivery.

Veo offers free adaptive wheelchair attachments — like the ones Bird is now offering — by reservation for up to a week with free delivery, and customers arrange everything through Veo customer service.

Bird’s new program will offer 350-watt motor lightweight removable li-ion battery-powered attachments that are compatible with most wheelchair models, according to the company.

Residents in the phase one e-scooter pilot area — which includes the northeast Bronx, spanning from Woodlawn to Eastchester down to Van Nest and Pelham Bay — can utilize the program. When the second phase begins this summer, residents in the phase two area, which spans from Parkchester to Country Club down to Clason Point and Throggs Neck

The motors can make wheelchairs go up to 12 mph, according to a Bird spokesperson.

 People who use wheelchairs will be able to navigate hills, inclines and long distance trips throughout the city, according to Bird.

12 mph is about the average speed a bike rider can go. This attachment kind of turns a wheel chair into a makeshift ATV. Can't wait to see gangs on these things rolling on the streets like the motorcross and ATV gangs do.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

So much for ANY credibility T.A. had.

Steeley White REALLY is that actually his name?

The idea that the onetime CEO of T.A. stands to profit from Micro mobility device only stands to prove what bullshit artists Transportation Alternatives really are....

Guy Caballero said...

The natives will have fun trashing those things.

Anonymous said...

12mph is the top speed
12 mph is the average bike speed.
These things are obviously the next ATV's run amok.
Not too much of a stretch there /S

Anonymous said...

What could possibly go wrong!?? What a bunch of assholes!

Anonymous said...

Just don't let Nutty NRA Ned near this one. He's going to terrorize pedestrians everywhere.

Anonymous said...

@Just don't let Nutty NRA Ned near this one. He's going to terrorize pedestrians everywhere. @

Personal experience TA bike-terrorist? That's what you do on taxpayers' dime you useless eater.

Anonymous said...

@"That's what you do on taxpayers' dime you useless eater."

"Eater"? Anyway, I don't store my car on the streets on the "taxpayers' dime".

Anonymous said...

Somebody definitely is getting an above the 10% cut from this BS.

Anonymous said...

If the front wheel was a little bigger, this would be a great way to get around town. Sign me up!