By Anthony Payero
(NEWARK, N.J.) Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said Tuesday that the city will implement its first shared bike and e-scooter program — called NewarkGo — through a six month pilot program starting this month, according to ABC 7.
The program is slated to bring up to 2,000 electric scooters and bicycles to the area at an affordable price. It will offer residents more access to jobs, schools, housing, health care facilities, the transit network and other essential services.
Bird Rides and Veoride will be provided permits to operate the short-term shared service that will be available to residents and visitors across Newark.
"While our schools, offices and businesses continue to reopen, NewarkGo can help Newarkers access all that our city has to offer," Baraka said. "This safe, fast and affordable service is the first new mode of transportation our city has seen in decades, and I look forward to partnering with Bird and Veo to build stronger connections between communities and open up new avenues of opportunity for people in every corner of this city."
Bird and Veo, which will each provide up to 1,000 e-scooters and bikes, are currently in use in more than 250 and 40 cities respectively.
The two operators handed in applications to Newark's Department of Engineering and were assessed in accordance with the permitting process placed in effect in April by the Newark Municipal Council on a first-come-first-served basis.
Newark's shared dockless bike and e-scooter program will guarantee that operators in Newark build on the best practices used in cities across the country.
The operators will provide access to communities in every ward, featuring communities with lower incomes and longer commutes; discounted ride options for qualifying residents; alternative rental services for people without access to cellphones or credit cards; and adaptive bike designs to accommodate people of different ages and abilities.
Bird and Veo will hold outreach and educational programs that will describe details of the program, including how to rent and return bikes and e-scooters, rider trainings and helmet giveaways.
The campaigns will build on the city's ongoing rider education and safety events, which feature a partnership with New Jersey Bike and Walk Coalition, which held a series of virtual and in-person events at locations around Newark.