Bird ridership soars during NFL Draft amid exclusive e-scooter partnership with KCMO
May 8, 2023 | Startland News Staff
Daily rides in Kansas City increased by 724 percent during April’s NFL Draft weekend, Bird reported, following the three-day series of events that brought more than 300,000 fans to festival grounds at Union Station.
“We’re thrilled to have partnered with Kansas City and the NFL to support the 2023 NFL Draft by providing efficient, affordable, and sustainable transportation to attendees,” said Shane Torchiana, CEO, Bird. “Our expanded scope as Kansas City’s only approved scooter partner showcases the trust established through our continued operations, understanding of local transportation needs, and our commitment to providing environmentally friendly transportation.”
Bird scooters await riders in the Crossroads during the NFL Draft; photo by Austin Barnes, Startland News
Bird recently expanded its fleet to 1,400 scooters in the city and its surrounding metro area ahead of the draft, which ran April 27-29. In addition to making e-scooters available to attendees, Bird also strategically located new parking spots around the city to expedite local travel during the event, Torchiana said.
Peak ridership took place the first evening just prior to the Thursday event, with more than 800 rides taking place in a single hour, a 1,500 percent increase versus the same hour in the prior week.
More than 5,000 riders took rides with Bird, an average of over two rides per person during the week. The majority of rides occurred between the location of the draft in Union Station to the south and the Power and Light entertainment district to the north, indicating commute activity between the two key locations.
In addition to its role at this year’s Draft, Bird has also commenced operations in several new cities including Hamilton, Ontario in the greater Toronto area; Perth, Australia; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Montgomery, Alabama, confirming the impact Bird has in providing access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable transportation in cities across the globe.
RELATED: Small biz owners shocked by low NFL Draft sales, now wary of World Cup
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Renderings: World Cup innovation-networking hub, FIFA fan fest plans unveiled by KC organizers
Short-term fun, long-term gains. It’s a win-win for Kansas City, local leaders said Thursday, announcing new high-profile concepts set to take the pitch alongside the summer 2026 FIFA World Cup — games that could redefine the region in front of a global audience. “The KC region has an incredible opportunity to showcase our market’s business environment,…
AI disruption is already here: Here’s how Kansas City workers navigate reality redefined by tech
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by The Beacon, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story from The Beacon, an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism in the public interest.…
Swifties made her work famous; Now this KC maker has opened a fourth retail shop
Sales jumped after Taylor Swift was seen wearing one of EB and Co.’s rings at a key moment in the popstar’s high-profile romance with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The jolt of exposure helped propel the brand’s expansion — most recently the opening of a fourth shop in downtown Lee’s Summit. “This location was requested…
This AI keyboard can write your next email with the push of just one button; its creator says it could revolutionize workplaces
Hardware — not just software — should be at the forefront of the AI’s future, Jerry Hsu shared. After the successful release of its GPT-powered AI mouse, Jethro V1, in late 2024, Overland Park-based Virtusx — which is revolutionizing workplaces through integrating hardware and software to make AI-driving products more accessible and user-friendly — has…