Tag

Micromobility

All articles tagged with #micromobility

NYC Targets Online Marketplaces with Crackdown on High‑Speed E‑Bikes
local17 days ago

NYC Targets Online Marketplaces with Crackdown on High‑Speed E‑Bikes

New York City is cracking down on fast e-bikes by sending cease-and-desist letters to about 40 online retailers, including Amazon and Walmart, demanding they stop selling e-bikes and scooters that don’t meet city rules; penalties can reach $2,000 per violation, focusing on Class 3 bikes that exceed the 25 mph limit, while online marketplaces complicate enforcement; Amazon says it is reviewing the listed products and will cooperate with authorities.

NYC Eyes Stricter E-Bike Rules as Mayor-Speaker Feud Intensifies
local-politics19 days ago

NYC Eyes Stricter E-Bike Rules as Mayor-Speaker Feud Intensifies

New York City is accelerating regulation of e-bikes after a fatal crash involving a fast e-bike. Mayor Mamdani has issued cease-and-desist orders to retailers selling illegal high-speed models, while Council Speaker Menin plans 17 bills addressing safety, street design, delivery-worker protections, and data reporting. The ongoing feud between the two Democrats appears to be accelerating the push for tighter micromobility rules, even as enforcement challenges and the reliance of a large immigrant delivery workforce complicate policy.

Tiny EVs, Big Ambitions: US firms push micro-mobility into mainstream
business22 days ago

Tiny EVs, Big Ambitions: US firms push micro-mobility into mainstream

US automakers and startups are betting on electric low-speed vehicles (LSVs)—tiny, affordable, street-legal options for short trips and micromobility—led by Stellantis’ Fiat Topolino and newcomers like Chip Motors and Waev. With prices around $15,000 and speeds under 25 mph, these LSVs are positioned to complement, not replace, traditional cars, though regulatory shifts and consumer adoption will determine how quickly the market grows.

Fatal head-on crash on Queensboro Bridge bike lane prompts safety debate
crime-and-public-safety2 months ago

Fatal head-on crash on Queensboro Bridge bike lane prompts safety debate

Two men—39-year-old scooter rider on a high-speed Teverun Blade GT II and 35-year-old cyclist on a non-motorized bike—were killed in a head-on crash in the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge bike lane around 8:20 a.m.; both were transported to NY-Presbyterian Hospital Queens where they died. The crash highlights micromobility safety and NYC speed-limit concerns as the bridge’s bike path was separated from pedestrians last year.

Election Day 2024: Free Rides and Treats from Uber, Lyft, and Krispy Kreme
technology1 year ago

Election Day 2024: Free Rides and Treats from Uber, Lyft, and Krispy Kreme

Ahead of Election Day, various transportation companies are offering free and discounted rides to help voters reach polling stations. Lime, Bird, and Spin are providing free micromobility rides, while Lyft and Uber offer discounted ride-hail services. Hertz and Zipcar have special rental offers, and Google and Moovit are assisting with navigation to polling places. Numerous transit agencies are also providing free rides to encourage voter turnout.

Bird Scooters: From High-flying Valuation to Bankruptcy
business2 years ago

Bird Scooters: From High-flying Valuation to Bankruptcy

Bird Global, once valued at $2 billion, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after facing financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The company, known for its rentable electric scooters, saw a decline in ridership during the pandemic and was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange for failing to maintain its market cap. Behind the scenes, Bird outsourced logistics to contractors, leading to issues with stolen or abused scooters. Additionally, problems with the design of Bird's second-generation scooter, including a flawed hydraulic brake, caused further complications. The story provides insights from former fleet managers who shed light on the challenges faced by the company.

The Chaotic Rise and Fall of Bird: Blood, Guns, and Broken Scooters
business2 years ago

The Chaotic Rise and Fall of Bird: Blood, Guns, and Broken Scooters

Bird, once valued at over $2 billion, has faced a tumultuous journey as the largest micromobility company in North America. The company's fleet managers, responsible for the logistics of scattering scooters around cities, have described their unstable and punishing relationships with Bird. As the company struggled, fleet managers faced updated contracts that significantly reduced their income. Some fleet managers have resorted to carrying guns or Tasers for protection against thieves and vandals. Bird recently announced its bankruptcy filing, leaving the future of its fleet managers uncertain.

Bird, Electric Scooter Rental Pioneer, Files for Bankruptcy and Implements Restructuring Plan
business2 years ago

Bird, Electric Scooter Rental Pioneer, Files for Bankruptcy and Implements Restructuring Plan

Electric scooter company Bird has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it seeks to restructure its financials and strengthen its balance sheet. The company's stock has plummeted since going public in 2021, leading to its delisting from the NYSE. Bird plans to sell its assets through a bidding process over the next four months. The Canadian and European operations of the company are not affected by the bankruptcy filing. This news follows the delisting of competitor Micromobility.com and layoffs at other micromobility startups, indicating a challenging year for the industry.

Cruise and GM's Layoffs: Self-Driving Workforce Slashed by 25%
transportation2 years ago

Cruise and GM's Layoffs: Self-Driving Workforce Slashed by 25%

Cruise, the autonomous vehicle company backed by General Motors, has laid off 900 workers and dismissed nine top leaders in an effort to salvage years of technological progress. Meanwhile, Superpedestrian, a scooter-sharing startup, has abruptly shut down its U.S. operations and is exploring the sale of its European business. The shared micromobility industry has proven to be challenging, with companies like Bird and Micromobility.com facing financial difficulties. In other transportation news, several deals were announced, including investments in sustainable aviation fuel, new energy vehicle fleet management, EV charging solutions, and electric motorcycle battery swapping. Additionally, there are updates on autonomous vehicle regulations in China, Waymo's expansion, and the push for anti-drunk-driving technology in cars.

"Devastating E-Scooter Accident Erases San Diego Father's Memory of Marriage and Becoming a Parent"
health-and-safety2 years ago

"Devastating E-Scooter Accident Erases San Diego Father's Memory of Marriage and Becoming a Parent"

A San Diego man, Carlos Mercado, lost his memory after being involved in an e-scooter accident and suffering a head injury. He has no recollection of major life events, including his wedding anniversary and his child's birthday. Mercado initially refused medical attention but was later diagnosed with a head injury and admitted to the hospital. His e-scooter was found bent in half, and his family is seeking information about the incident. A report by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission revealed a 21% increase in injuries related to e-bikes and e-scooters. The report also highlighted the importance of safety measures, including wearing helmets and avoiding overnight charging.

Massive Recall: Onewheel Electric Skateboards Pulled from Market After Fatalities
technology2 years ago

Massive Recall: Onewheel Electric Skateboards Pulled from Market After Fatalities

Electric skateboard-maker Future Motion has agreed to recall all of its OneWheels, a self-balancing electric mobility device, after initially refusing to do so. The recall comes after reports of the OneWheel cutting out when its speed limit is reached, posing a crash hazard. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported four deaths of OneWheel riders in recent years. Future Motion is urging owners to download a firmware update that includes a warning system to alert riders when nearing the board's limits. This recall adds to the growing number of recalls in the micromobility space.

"Electric Aircraft Rivals Strike Surprising Deal, Boosted by Cruise and Waymo's Win"
technology3 years ago

"Electric Aircraft Rivals Strike Surprising Deal, Boosted by Cruise and Waymo's Win"

The California Public Utilities Commission has approved permits for Cruise and Waymo to offer commercial robotaxi services in San Francisco, marking a win for the autonomous vehicle industry. Veo, a shared micromobility operator, is expanding into the retail space with the launch of its Cosmo seated scooter for direct-to-consumer sales. Serve Robotics, the autonomous sidewalk delivery robot startup, is going public through a reverse merger with a blank-check company after raising $30 million in funding. Archer Aviation has raised $215 million in new capital and settled its trade secret legal dispute with rival Wisk, agreeing to collaborate and make Wisk its exclusive provider of autonomy technology. In other news, Inrix has raised $70 million in financing, Proterra has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and Treehouse, a home EV charging startup, has raised $10 million in funding.

Mercedes-Benz Integrates ChatGPT Voice Assistant in Cars
transportation3 years ago

Mercedes-Benz Integrates ChatGPT Voice Assistant in Cars

Mercedes is adding OpenAI's conversational AI agent ChatGPT to its MBUX infotainment system in about 900,000 vehicles. Bike buses are becoming popular in the US, and a study in the UK found that 66% of bikeshare users began cycling more after using the service. LeddarTech, the automotive sensor and perception software developer, will go public via a merger with special purpose acquisition company Prospector Capital Corp. Saudi Arabia signed a $5.6 billion deal with Chinese EV maker Human Horizons to collaborate on the development, manufacture and sale of vehicles. TrueCar is laying off 24% of staff due to a restructure.

The EV Charging Standards War: Tesla's Dominance and Industry Implications
electric-vehicles3 years ago

The EV Charging Standards War: Tesla's Dominance and Industry Implications

Legacy automakers Ford and GM have announced plans to integrate Tesla's EV charging connector design into their next-generation EVs, starting in 2025. Tesla's North American Charging Standard is gaining ground and fueling an EV charging standards war. Micromobility updates include e-bike subsidies in various regions, Hilo's smart e-scooter, and Montreal's $170 fine for blocking bike lanes. In other news, TuSimple has received a fully driverless test permit in Shanghai, Aviant is launching its drone home delivery service called Kyte, and Apple Maps will show real-time EV charging availability information.