Taking flight: Bird Canada scooters, bikes to hit Penticton streets

Published 2:30 pm Friday, March 27, 2026

A Canadian-owned and operated provider of shared electric scooters and bikes is set to roll through Penticton.

Bird Canada, a nationwide micromobility company, officially announced a partnership with the city on March 27.

People can start using its local fleet of around 120 vehicles starting Monday, March 30.

“And eventually, the (2026) permit calls for 300 scooters and 50 bikes,” said Tyler Zeck, regional operations manager of Bird Canada.

The vehicles, with a maximum speed of 21 km/h, will soon be parked at several designated locations on city property.

Moving forward, Zeck said he expects parking hubs — or “nests” as they’re known at Bird Canada — to pop-up at private locations, like hotels and restaurants.

“We’re working on relationships with local organizations and finding locations all over town,” he said.

People can download the Bird Canada app on Apple Store or Google Play to get started. There are several pricing options to explore, including a 35-cent-per-minute choice or unlimited monthly rides for $4 per use.

“If you’re an everyday rider, then the Bird Plus pass, or maybe the 300-minute bundle, would be a good option for you,” Zeck stated.

The program also has an access program, which provides discounted rides to “those who need it the most,” according to Zeck. That includes healthcare workers, Indigenous communities, veterans, and individuals who are connected to local support organizations, he added.

Penticton marks the fourth B.C. community that Bird Canada has partnered with. Others include Vernon and Kamloops.

“The emphasis is on fun, but it’s also about safety,” said Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield, who was among the several people on Friday morning to test out one of Bird Canada’s vehicles inside Marina Way Park. “This gives the opportunity for both residents and visitors to get around Penticton in a really unique way.”

Bird Canada began operating shared e-scooters in Calgary in 2019. It has since expanded to 30 cities nationwide, adding electric bikes to its fleet.

“We’re excited to see people try these scooters for the first time and excited to see more movement, more energy, and more connection to the city,” Zeck said.

Friday also marked the start of a new local partnership between Bird Canada and United Way British Columbia.

The groups will join forces for the first time at United Way BC’s South Okanagan annual drive-thru breakfast on April 8, when one dollar for every Bird Canada taken will be donated to programs that serve the area.

“Transportation is often one of the biggest barriers for people within our communities,” said Heather van der Gaag from United Way BC. “If you can’t get to work, if you can’t get to school, you don’t thrive. Items like this help so that we can be able to provide those essential services for people.”

Penticton City Council voted to make e-scooters “street legal” in April 2024. Per the province’s rules, the devices are permitted to travel at a maximum of 25 km/h.