A micromobility startup Bird based in Silicon valley announced on Tuesday, that they are launching an in-app payments feature to enable its electronic scooter riders to buy from local merchants. The app called Bird Pay will link its rider with local businesses to help drive purchases. It is currently in trial process with selected merchants in Los Angeles and Santa Monica.
Bird CEO and Founder Travis Vander Zanden said that an early insight emerged shortly after introducing Bird in Santa Monica. Their e-scooter not only has the potential to allow people to avoid the chore of circling a block to find parking resulting in congestion and frustration, but it also can foster a more direct connection between people and local businesses.
Zanden mentioned that the store owners in the community often said that ‘Birds outside bring business inside.’ Now the company has paired this phenomena with their commitment to community and started Bird Pay which will help drive even more customers to local businesses.
Internal surveys show that businesses found, the 100-plus municipalities where Bird runs its shared Elektrische scooters service, riders brought store traffic. Riders can now pay merchants using their Bird app where there will be no need to disclose payment information. The app will make sure there is no handling of cards or cash.
Aric Haut, owner of Harvest Bar, said that his Bar is thrilled to be the first local business to partner with Bird to test Bird Pay. Since the launch of Bird Los Angeles, the owner has seen an increase in foot traffic as locals and tourists explore the area, and pop in and enjoy a healthy snack or meal. He says this app makes complete sense as it is an effortless way to purchase their famous acai bowls and smoothies using Bird bikes that brought them to Harvest Bar.
VanderZanden founded the shared e-scooters startup ‘Bird’ in 2017 over 100 cities in Europe, the Middle East, and North America leading to 10 million rides in the first year of business itself. Now they are opening new hub in Paris.
