Bird begins a “franchise” partnership with Toronto Raptors founder that will bring scooters to Canada. Bird Canada will acquire its scooters from the U.S. branch at cost. They will also gain access to the Santa Monica-based startup’s tools, software, and technology to operate the service, in exchange for a 20 percent cut of ride revenue. LINK
This Bolivian startup called Blink wants taxis to deliver cash in areas without ATMs.Users hail taxis drivers who will dispense cash in exchange for codes generated by the app at ATM’s. The hope is for Blink’s system to expand the number of ATMs in the country nearly twenty-fold LINK
Google Maps tests a new alert for when your taxi goes off route in India. LINK
For those of you who don’t commute to the same location at the same time each day, Google Maps can now predict when and how crowded the buses, trains, or subways will be. Available in 200 cities around the globe. LINK
In their mission to become the global “Amazon of transportation” Uber will begin to show alternatives to their service and show rentable Jump e-bikes and Lime e-scooters. This will be available in Atlanta and San Diego. LINK
In their mission to become Berlin’s “Amazon of transportation” the Berlin’s public transit, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, (BVG) launches a white-labeled multi-modal app called “Jelbi.” The app, built by Lithuania-based Trafi, lets users buy tickets for the subway as well as pay for bike, scooter & car sharing vehicle. LINK
In Oakland, rich folk are paying Pothole Vigilantes big money to fill potholes in their neighborhood because local Government is failing. Proving trickle down economics, they use the rest of the money to fill 50 potholes in the poorer neighborhoods. LINK
- FLASHBACK: Spider-man’s newest villain is the New York City Department of Transportation. A two-day pothole repair job has stretched out for months, ultimately leading to a van careening off the side of a bridge. Luckily, Spider-Man is there to save the day. A sign of the times folks. LINK
- FLASHBACK: Make Potholes Great Again!! Artist raises $13,182 to fill NYC potholes with mosaics of pigeons, flowers & Trump. LINK
As of July 1st, new four-wheeled electric cars in Europe have to make artificial noises when driving below 19km/h (12MPH). New regulations are a warning noise to alert pedestrians and cyclists. LINK
- FLASHBACK: Hans Zimmer is creating sounds for future BMW electric cars. In Europe, new rules mean all future electric vehicles must make a minimum level of sound for safety. BMW has addressed the requirement by calling in Hollywood musical composer Hans Zimmer to create a soundtrack for future EVs. LINK
Uber Eats new dine-in option lets you pre-order your food. Unlike most of Uber’s services, the driver or the courier is cut out of the equation entirely. Uber Eats launched the dine-in feature back in November and is currently testing it in Dallas, Austin, Tucson, and San Diego. LINK
Experts say women cycle less than men because women are more risk-averse. LINK
- FLASHBACK: Experts say women Uber & Lyft drivers earn less than men because women are more risk-averse. LINK
