Bird e-Bikes Invade the University of Mississippi Campus

The University of Mississippi’s Department of Parking & Transportation subtly introduced the Bird E-bike Share Program on Tuesday, April 23, offering a new mode of transportation for students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. In a strategic partnership with Bird Global, Inc., a Miami-based micro-mobility company, the bikes made their grand entrance on campus.

This launch, which saw about 20-25 bikes gracing various locations on campus, is just a precursor to a full rollout planned for the start of the 2024 fall semester.

A New Riding Experience

Bird, popularly recognized for deploying electric scooters in major US cities, ventured into producing e-bikes in June 2021. These e-bikes serve as a non battery-powered alternative. Ideal for three to five-mile trips, these bikes come with a pedal-assist technology, further simplifying the riding experience.

The Director of UM Department of Parking & Transportation, Samuel Patterson, commented that the soft launch aims to test, refine, and acquaint the campus community with the e-bikes ahead of the full rollout. He underlined, “Shared e-bike options are common at many universities and municipalities, and we are providing an easy option for the campus community. The pedal assist on these e-bikes makes this stress-free and fun”.

Tailored Affordability

The Bird bikes engaging features aren’t limited to just ease-of-use but also extend to adaptable costs. To unlock the bikes, riders are required to pay a $1 flat rate, then per-minute charges apply based on standard, student, and faculty/staff rates. Semester and monthly passes are also available, anticipating individuals interested in frequent bike usage.

Nehemiah Smith, a freshman integrated marketing communications major, affirms the affordability of the bikes. He said, “I feel like a lot of people don’t have ways to get across campus, especially if they don’t have a car to drive to their 8 a.m. I think the bikes will be good for everyone on and off campus”.

However, Davis Windham, a freshman mechanical engineering major, feels that any cost would be a deterrent. “If they cost money, I don’t know how inclined I would be to use them. I’d rather walk. I think they were a good investment by the university, though. I see the bikes and scooters at a lot of other colleges. I’ll definitely try them once.”

Bringing Convenience to the Campus

Matt Davis, the Assistant Director of UM Parking and Transportation Services, disclosed that a group selected from the university community chose Bird to execute this project. He stated that the university pays an annual subsidy to fund the e-bike share program, and Bird receives all proceeds collected from usage.

He further emphasized, “The intention of this program is to assist UM community members with short trips around campus and assist many with their first and last-mile trips on campus either after they park or directly from their on-campus residence. The university is always trying to look for various mobility and transportation options to help UM community members navigate the campus in a more efficient and cost-effective way.”

For more information on the Bird E-Bike Share Program, potential riders can visit the UM Department of Parking & Transportation website.