TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bird Canada today announced the launch of a Bird e-scooter pilot in Toronto’s Distillery District. The pilot will run from September 5 – 15, and will operate from 4pm – 8pm on weekdays, and 10am – 8pm on weekends. Using a virtual barrier known as a geofence, the pilot will take place in a contained and safe area within the Distillery District.
While e-scooters are not yet approved for use by the Province of Ontario, the pilot will provide visitors, tenants, and residents in the privately owned Distillery District with an opportunity to take Bird One e-scooters for a test ride, learn and practice micro-mobility vehicle basics, speak with Bird representatives, and receive Bird swag.
“We see e-scooters as an important transportation option for our tenants, as well as those who are visiting, working, and living in key cities across Canada, and are very pleased that we could help facilitate this pilot through our collaboration with Bird Canada,” said Gordon Wadley, Senior Vice President, Commercial Properties at Dream.
The Distillery District – which is home to many cafes, restaurants, and shops housed within heritage buildings of the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery – is co-owned by Dream, an investor in Bird Canada through Alate Partners (a real estate technology initiative of Dream and Relay Ventures).
“The response we’ve received following the launch of our Bird e-scooters in Calgary and Edmonton has been incredible,” said Stewart Lyons, CEO of Bird Canada. “So, what better way to give those living in or visiting Canada’s largest city a taste of what is hopefully to come once e-scooters are approved for use in Toronto than to run a brief pilot in Canada’s premier arts, culture, and entertainment destination.”
The easy to use and fun to ride Bird One e-scooters provide a safe ride by putting the rider at the center of the e-scooter experience. The e-scooters are built to meet the demands of Canadian cities with custom-designed semi-solid tubeless wheels that deliver a smooth, comfortable, and controlled ride. Given Bird’s focus on responsible riding, those that participate in the pilot will also receive safety information outlined within Bird Canada’s s.h.a.r.e tips for safe riding.
Press Preview
Members of the media are invited to attend a press preview on September 5th ahead of the official pilot kickoff. The press preview will take place from 1pm to 3pm, beginning with a press conference at 1pm at the south end of Trinity Street in the Distillery District. Media will have an opportunity to hear from Stewart Lyons, CEO of Bird Canada, as well as Gordon Wadley, Senior Vice President, Commercial Properties at Dream. Following the press conference, media will have an opportunity to test ride Bird One e-scooters in the contained demo area in the parking lot off Distillery Lane, located in the southwest corner of the Distillery District. Stewart Lyons will also be available for interview for the duration of the press preview.
About Bird Canada
Powered by Bird Rides, Bird Canada Inc. operates an electric vehicle sharing program. Bird Canada is a Canadian-owned and operated company that offers Canadians and visitors to Canada a new way to avoid congestion and get around that is affordable and uses the latest and most innovative last-mile mobility solutions for urban areas. For additional information, visit Bird online, on Twitter, and on Instagram.
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