SALISBURY, Md.--Getting around Salisbury just got a little easier as the city has officially adopted a new electric bike ride share program called 'Bird'.
Mayor Jake Day said city officials are excited to provide an "easier and safer" and more affordable transportation option.
"After a year inside, and for me a year away from our beautiful city, we're proud to be launching this program as we begin to put COVID in our rearview," he said Wednesday morning.
Bird runs its service through an application. Once you download it, users will get a quick tutorial, setup payment plans or choose pay-per-ride. A service map will then display nearby vehicles, riding zones and the app will indicate approved dockless parking areas.
"Bird has a local resident staffer who is going to be repositioning these and troubleshooting issues around the city," Day assured.
Some locals however, like Alexandra Miller, voiced their concern on the city's official Facebook page questioning its safety.
"There are no safe roads or crosswalks to ride them," Miller wrote.
Miller said the city's priority should be to create more crosswalks, as far too many pedestrian accidents have occurred.
Mayor Day said new projects will always face some sort of pushback but those riding the scooters will have to abide by all traffic rules to ensure maximum safety.
"Legally and for your safety, scooters are going to be treated like bikes, meaning you're following traffic rules, you're riding in the bike lane," he explained.
The scooters are funded by a private company and they're extending a 50% discount to senior citizens, veterans and low-income residents in the area.
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