• Company confirms intentions to operate in towns and cities throughout Ireland once legislation is passed
• Leading micro mobility operator in discussions with local councils, transport operators and businesses regarding market launch
• Bird adds two Europeans to its Executive Team to help regional push, including Irishman Brendan O’Driscoll 
• Company introduces industry-leading discounts and ride passes which would be available to Irish customers

Leading micro mobility operator Bird has today announced that it plans to operate in Ireland once legislation is passed. The company is investing $150m into its European business, to help cities remain car free as they start to ease restrictions following the pandemic. This investment will be used to open safe, sustainable micro mobility programmes in more than 50 new European locations, including towns and cities throughout Ireland.

The announcement comes as Bird ramps up engagements in Ireland with local councils, businesses and civil society organisations throughout the country. Bird has ambitious plans for Ireland and hopes to be operational not only in larger cities like Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, but also smaller cities and larger towns throughout the country.

Bird is the largest, most experienced and best-funded micro mobility operator yet to signal intentions for operating in Ireland. The planned $150m investment indicates the level of commitment which the company puts on the European region, including Ireland.

The investment will see Bird streamline its offer to local cities and customers, with new market-leading technologies. For example, once launched in Ireland, Bird will be able to provide new mobility products and safety initiatives and implement the next generation of recycling and second life applications for vehicles. The company will also be investing in industry-leading equity programmes and securing partnerships across the region designed to improve transportation for all Europeans, including those in Ireland.

To manage the Irish operations, former EMEA Expansion Lead Charlotte Bailey has been appointed General Manager of Bird UK & Ireland. Speaking about the European investment and Bird’s plans for Ireland, Bailey said:

Everyone at Bird is  really excited about this significant investment we’re making in our European business and the progress Ireland is making towards shared micro mobility. We’ve got big plans for Ireland and hope to operational not only in cities like Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, but also smaller cities and large towns throughout the country.

As part of its investment, Bird is also introducing new Ride Pass products to give people even more reasons to leave their cars at home. These Ride Pass options, which would be available to Irish customers once launched, include:

• Daily Unlimited Rides Pass
• Monthly Unlimited Rides Pass
• Monthly Unlimited Unlocks Pass
• 3-Month Unlimited Unlocks Pass

To further push Bird’s European mission Irishman Brendan O’Driscoll has taken up the role of Head of Product, Growth and Data and will oversee Bird’s global product strategy and implementation. Ex-Boston Consulting Group Managing Director Renaud Fages is also taking the reins as Head of Global operations to help cement Bird’s European market leading position. Bird will double its footprint in the region over the spring and summer by launching in more than 50 new cities across Europe and increasing its fleet size in existing ones.

Speaking following the investment and about the Irish launch plans, Brendan O’Driscoll, Global Head of Product at Bird said:

I’ve been excited for years about the prospect of helping to bring Bird and shared micro mobility home to Ireland. Once legislation is passed in Ireland, promoting e-scooter access and encouraging routine micro mobility use will absolutely critical as we slowly lift pandemic restrictions and businesses begin to reopen. By simplifying our Global Ride Pass features and adding new pricing plans based on rider needs, Irish customers would be getting Bird’s very best customer offering.

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