After Wild West start, scooter providers chase scale to survive

Georgia Yexley, UK and Ireland head of cities at micromobility firm Tier, gets ready to demonstrate an e-scooter in London, Britain, August 25, 2021. Picture taken August 25, 2021. REUTERS/Nick Carey

LONDON (Reuters) - The era of breakneck growth for electric scooter firms is giving way to more selective expansion focused on profits as they face tougher regulations, more demanding customers and wary insurers.

Hurt badly by global coronavirus lockdowns last year, companies offering by-the-minute rental of e-scooters say ridership is soaring to pre-COVID 19 levels among urban consumers eager to avoid public transport or taxis.