Bird has re-entered the German market with the launch of 3,350 electric scooters through mobility app Freenow, marking a return after its withdrawal in 2022. The scooters are now available in Munich, Würzburg and Reutlingen, with a broader rollout planned in the coming months.
Freenow, which operates in nine European countries, was acquired this year by U.S. ride-hailing company Lyft and has been rebranded as “FreeNow by Lyft.” The company said the partnership adds to its portfolio of around 20 mobility service providers in Germany, with Bird scooters bookable via its existing platform using current accounts and payment options. Bird scooters are also accessible through Freenow in Spain, Italy and France, where a combined fleet of 16,000 vehicles is available.
For Bird, the expansion marks a return following its 2022 exit from Germany and subsequent financial restructuring. The Miami-based operator filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the end of 2023, citing debts of up to $500 million, before emerging from restructuring earlier this year. The company said Munich, Würzburg and Reutlingen were chosen for their operational conditions, local partnerships and municipal mobility goals. Munich is the largest focus market with around 3,000 scooters, compared with 200 in Würzburg and 150 in Reutlingen.
Bird said its re-entry aligns with growing demand for micro-mobility in urban centers as cities look to reduce congestion and emissions. Freenow described the partnership as part of its strategy to expand multimodal transport options across Europe.