"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 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.

"This once in a decade black swan event presents one of the greatest challenges in history," VanderZanden said in the memo.

Transport company Lime last week pulled its electric scooters from nearly two dozen countries, including the United States, as the new coronavirus spread worldwide. | To read full story, visit https://startuparound.com/read/1585386005.7742186/Coronavirus-prompts-layoffs-at-e-scooter-startup-Bird?ref=audio_experience