Electric scooter sharing company Bird announced Tuesday it is launching Bird Pay, a feature on the company’s app that will make it easier for users to shop locally.
Bird claims 58 percent of all rides through its app either start or end at a local business and that businesses in all 100 cities it is located in report higher foot traffic as a result of the company’s scooters. Founder and CEO Travis VanderZanden says Bird Pay was created to foster this relationship between users and their local businesses.
“Store owners in the community often tell me, ‘Birds outside bring business inside,’” VanderZanden said in a statement. “This phenomenon paired with our commitment to community resulted in Bird Pay, which helps drive even more customers to local businesses.”
The feature exists within the Bird app. Users simply scan a QR code at a participating business, enter the amount they are charging and swipe up to complete the purchase.
Bird isn’t the only ridesharing company hopping on the cashless payment bandwagon. Uber launched a similar feature called Uber Money last October and Singapore-based Grab has raised almost $10 billion for its extensive suite of financial operations in addition to its ridesharing and food delivery services.
Bird Pay is currently being tested in Santa Monica, where the company is headquartered, and Los Angeles. Bird is valued at $2.5 billion.
