Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS
2018 was the year of the scooter. Here at RSG, one of our top posts was about how to be a Charger, and three of our top five videos on the YouTube channel were about scooters. Today, we’re going to get an update from someone who knows a ton about the industry, from charging scooters to writing about them.
If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here.
Intro
- Today I’m chatting with Nick Abouzeid, a self-described scooter addict who lives in San Francisco
- Nick has been riding, charging, tweeting and writing about scooters since day 1 and is well-versed in the Charger communities
- Uber and Lyft are investing a ton of money right now into scooters and mobility
- If you’ve been wondering how they fit in with the rideshare industry, keep reading!
Interview with Nick Abouzeid
- Nick Abouzeid is a scooter addict living in San Francisco
- He used to cover early stage tech for Product Hunt and AngelList
- One thing people don’t realize about scooters is 80-90% of the scooters on the streets today are made by the same company – literally they’re made in the same factory in China!
- Became interested in scooters when he started seeing them on the streets, people riding them
- Signed up to become a Charger
Scooter Industry in 2019
- Coverage definitely has died down, it’s hard to cover/be excited about it if you can’t get your hands on the product
- Story also hasn’t changed much – Bird & Lime continue to raise money at bigger valuations
- Both companies are expanding rapidly, globally
- Challenges with growth (scooters in the rain/cold) but getting some of the best talent out there
Leaders in the Scooter Industry
- Bird, Lime and Uber (Jump) and Lyft
- Sleeping giants
- Skip, Scoot
- Will need to eventually see profitability in this space
Regulating the Industry
- LA – regulations to control but also grow the industry
- Santa Monica – flexible cap
- San Francisco – caps
- Many of the problems in this industry are solvable
Outro
- Big thanks to Nick for coming on the podcast and sharing his knowledge of this industry
- Nick brought a unique viewpoint and insight into this industry and definitely knows what he’s talking about
- Is this industry all hype? I don’t think so – lots of room for improvement
- Excited to see how scooter companies continue to work with cities and integrate with rideshare
Show Notes
- Defining the Peskin Ratio, and why (some) scooter networks fail
- Nick Abouzeid on Twitter
- Nick on Medium
-Harry @ RSG
Want More Tips? Deliver With DoorDash
If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here.
The following two tabs change content below.

I'm Harry, the owner and founder of The Rideshare Guy Blog and Podcast. I used to be a full-time engineer but now I'm a rideshare blogger! I write about my experience driving for Uber, Lyft, and other services and my goal is to help drivers earn more money by working smarter, not harder.
Latest posts by Harry Campbell (see all)
- Drunksgiving Through New Year’s: 5 Pro Tips to Stay Safe - November 27, 2019
- RSG111: Alison Griswold on Why Juno Failed - November 26, 2019
- Lyft & Uber Driver Survey 2019: Uber Driver Satisfaction Takes a Big Hit - November 19, 2019