Fourth of July weekend is a little different this year. Packed beaches, crowded barbecues and large firework displays aren't going to be as prevalent when there's a pandemic going on.
But all isn't lost on the fun this weekend, as e-scooters hit the streets of Atlanta Wednesday.
Most scooters launching locally are new brands to Atlantans; Bird is the only vendor returning to the city after a restrictive ordinance on dockless mobility vehicles was put into place to prevent more scooter-related deaths. Helbiz, Spin and Veo are new to the city.
A total of 3,000 scooters/e-bikes are permitted for Atlanta streets, though it's a wonder if these companies will deploy all their vehicles while Covid-19 cases are ramping up in Georgia.
Veo is debuting the Veo Cosmos seated e-scooters, which are designed for lengthier short-term trips, in the city.
"Veo is thrilled to be partnering with Atlanta's leaders to offer the best in highly efficient, eco-friendly, and budget friendly micromobility vehicles so people can more easily and safely get around for commuting and recreational purposes, and handle the other quick trips they need to take care of daily especially in a number of the city's neighborhoods where there have been transportation gaps," Veo's CEO, Candice Xie, said in a statement.
Veo will follow strict sanitation protocols to protect riders and workers from Covid-19, according to a news release. Scooters will be wiped down daily on all touchable surfaces, though riders are still encouraged to do their own wipe-downs before and after riding.
"We have heard from many Atlanta stakeholders that they are relieved to have Veo's e-scooters and seated Veo Cosmos available during this time because they feel safer using solitary methods of getting around so they don't have to sit close to people like they do on buses, or in ride shares or taxis," Xie said.
Bird is offering free rides to health care workers and emergency personnel. Eligible riders will receive two free 30-minute rides per day for as long as the global pandemic continues.
The company reports it has resumed service across the world. The company announced its Bird Warm Up feature that allows a gentle acceleration option that helps riders feel comfortable and build confidence, according to a news release.
To celebrate its launch week in Atlanta, Spin is announcing a $0 unlock fee and a partnership with Civil Bikes virtual tour. Spin scooters will deploy in sites near the BeltLine, Midtown, Westside and other popular areas. As part of its partnership with the City of Atlanta, Spin will deploy 500 scooters and eventually scale up its fleet up to 1,500 to meet demand.
Civil Bikes, a nonprofit that offers cultural tours of Atlanta, and Spin will partner to create a new virtual tour for riders across the city that highlights different voting sites around the city, including the Black churches, social institutions, political organizations and businesses of Sweet Auburn Avenue on the city's east side, and historically Black colleges and universities near the AUC. The launch of the tour will occur in the next few weeks.
Spin also announced disinfecting plans for scooters each time they are collected and recharged. The company encourages riders to wear cloth masks, wipe down the scooters, wear gloves and wash their hands.
