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Blood, Guns, and Broken Scooters: Inside the Chaotic Rise and Fall of Bird
- zachwdc 3y agoI liked Bird's scooters the first few times I rode, until I hit a pothole while going a moderate speed. I kept my balance, but I felt like there would have been no way to recover gracefully if I was going a bit faster. The bikes used in bikeshare systems feel much safer: they're heavy and have wide tires and a low center of gravity.
- nusl 3y agoThe model of offloading cost and responsibility to “contractors” seems to be increasingly common for companies trying to offer services they can’t sustain themselves. Usually, the “contractors” are paid badly, treated worse, and disposed of without any remorse or thought by the company. They take a large chunk of the risk and some profit, though the pay scheme they sign up for is often replaced by worse terms when they’re too deep in to easily pivot or make other plans. I can’t think of a gig worker megacorp that exists that isn’t treating their “contractors” worse than animals. They only use the term “contractor” to escape legal responsibility anyway. I sincerely hope these companies pay for this bullshit.