Coronavirus prompts layoffs at e-scooter startup Bird

Electric-scooter startup Bird on Friday said it is laying off nearly a third of its workforce to survive damage done to its service by the coronavirus pandemic.

Bird has already paused shared scooter operations in many markets around the world and drastically cut spending, and is now "saying goodbye" to 30 per cent of its workforce, founder and chief executive Travis VanderZanden said in a memo to employees at the Southern California-based company.

"We've watched the COVID-19 pandemic radically and quickly transform our lives, the world, and our business in less than a month," VanderZanden said in the memo, a copy of which was shared with AFP.

"Given the unknown timeline and current economic situation, we were forced to cut back in this way to elongate the trajectory of Bird and our mission." Bird recently raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors, but is slashing costs to ensure it has enough money to keep it running through next year, according to VanderZanden. Bird is curbing all spending not related to keeping the startup afloat, according to the chief executive.

"History suggests that people will demand a large scale mobility option that still allows for personal distancing," VanderZanden said. "And Bird will be there."