Nearly 50 Bird Canada electric scooters have been reported stolen from the streets of Windsor, Ontario in recent weeks, as confirmed by the general manager of the micromobility company. According to Patrick Graham, the thieves have been dismantling the scooters for parts, with a particular focus on the lithium-ion batteries. Graham mentioned that instances of these stolen scooters appearing on the black market have been observed in the past. He expressed gratitude towards the police for their cooperation in addressing the issue.
Despite the thefts affecting a significant number of the approximately 400 Bird scooters operating in Windsor, Graham assured that the company’s ability to serve the city has not been severely impacted. To mitigate the impact, Bird has relocated scooters from other locations to maintain their local fleet. Bird’s reintroduction of scooters and e-bikes to Windsor streets earlier this summer, following a temporary pause due to the conclusion of a pilot contract, has been well-received.
Operating across more than 20 cities in Canada, Bird has highlighted Windsor as a city where thefts have been more prevalent compared to other locations. Graham acknowledged that thefts have sporadically occurred over the company’s five-year presence in Windsor, but the recent surge in incidents is concerning. He suggested that organized crime groups may be behind the thefts, targeting the valuable batteries for quick resale on the black market or to unsuspecting recyclers. Despite these challenges, Graham expressed confidence in authorities eventually locating the culprits due to the traceable nature of the scooters.
Windsor police have sought public assistance following the theft of seven Bird scooters in early August, with reports indicating that the scooters were stripped for parts, including their batteries, with one scooter found cut in half in a downtown alley. CBC’s outreach to mobility device businesses in Windsor did not reveal any awareness of thefts involving their products, emphasizing the importance of securing valuable items like lithium-ion battery-powered devices. Jessica Senay, general manager at Comfort Mobility and Home Health Care, recommended insuring such products to safeguard against potential theft.