WHITEWATER — BIRD electric scooters have arrived in Whitewater on a one-year-trial. The city says the scooters will give residents and visitors an additional mode of transportation if they choose to use it.

While many communities, like Whitewater are embracing the new amenity, other communities where the service has been available for a while are pulling back.

This week in Milwaukee, riders will no longer be able to start new trips in Milwaukee’s downtown and surrounding areas after too many rides were happening on the sidewalks, according to the Journal Sentinel. 

Here’s how to use them.

1. Download the BIRD app to find a scooter or to use one.
2. Enter a payment method if your first time using the app.
3. Follow the prompts in the app to scan the code on the BIRD scooter, take a photo of the scooter and to activate it.
4. Ride to your destination in town following the rules of the road- Be sure to ride your scooter in the streets, ride in bike lanes when available, ride on the right side of the road, obey rules including stop signs, crosswalks, stop lights, etc. and only drive at 15 mph max.
5. When you reach your destination, park your scooter (not in the street or the sidewalk but along the sidewalk and grass or the red brick area between the sidewalk and road and at bike racks when possible), scan the scooter code in the app, take a picture of the parked scooter and pay for your ride.
   If you move the scooter when you don’t scan and pay for it, the scooter will alarm and be disabled. If you do not scan it after your ride, you will be charged from BIRD. Those who use the scooter are responsible for the scooter.
6. Riders must be 18 years to ride and are strongly encouraged to wear a helmet. If you see an issue with a scooter- you can touch the hazard button in the BIRD app to contact the company directly).
   
   If a resident has questions or concerns about the e-scooters the company can be reached directly at 1-866-205-2442 or hello@bird.co. More information about the company can be found on their website www.bird.co and on their blog www.bird.co/blog.