SANTA MONICA—A 25-year-old man was arrested and charged with DUI this past weekend for riding a Bird electric scooter while intoxicated.
The man, who has not been identified, was riding a scooter on the sidewalk past a DUI checkpoint when officials from the Los Angeles Police Department stopped him, TMZ first reported. Police stopped the man because it is illegal to ride motorized scooters on the sidewalks, but authorities smelled alcohol on his breath, which prompted a Breathalyzer test. The individual refused the Breathalyzer, and officers opted for a field sobriety test which he failed. He was arrested and charged him with a misdemeanor DUI.
It is stated in Bird’s agreement with the city of Santa Monica, riders will not be permitted to ride motorized scooters on the sidewalks or while intoxicated. This is the first time officers have issued a DUI charge to a Bird scooter user in the city of Santa Monica.
On Monday, September 17, the city of Santa Monica launched its new 16-month Shared Mobility Pilot Program with Bird, JUMP, Lime, and Lyft.
