AUSTIN, Texas — UPDATE: The City of Austin released a statement regarding the dockless scooters.

According the City, leaders met with Bird Rides and gave the company a letter that said they will enforce City Code that protects the public from unsafe obstructions.The code says property left within the City’s right of way for more than 48 hours with no City authorization or permission is classified as abandoned property and is subject to impoundment. If the property presents a safety hazard, it will be impounded immediately.

They City says it encourages electric scooter operators to participate in the City’s public engagement process for dockless mobility and withhold operations on the public right of way until this community-driven process is complete.

A spokesperson for Bird says they agree with the City and any vehicle that is abandoned should be removed.

“We are now directing Bird riders in Austin to park Birds on the street instead of on sidewalks where bikes and similar vehicles usually park,” Kenneth Baer, with Bird said. “When it comes to embracing environmentally-friendly and innovative transportation, the City of Austin is a leader. Looking ahead, we accept the city's invitation to help them develop a pilot program for dockless scooters like Birds."

ORIGINAL STORY: Dozens of dockless scooters are popping up around Austin. They're similar to Car2Go, where you find them with an app, unlock them and take off. However, they're catching business owners and transportation officials off guard.

"I had no idea that they had just gotten abandoned on the side of our building, basically," said Anthony Vazquez, who found three Bird scooters outside Smoking Depot on South Lamar Boulevard Thursday morning.

Bird Ride first launched in Los Angeles 9 months ago; the company said it's designed to meet those last-mile needs for trips that are too long to walk and too short to drive a car.

"Maybe it's that trip from South Congress to downtown commuting for work," said Bird Ride's Sam Kernan-Schloss.

Like Vazquez, an executive at Chuy's said three scooters showed up on their private property without permission Thursday. He said he wanted to find a way to have them removed from his property. Vazquez said he would've appreciated a heads up.

"It would be completely different if we had any sort of notice, contract, phone call, email," he said.

This week, Austin hosted a national conference with transportation officials from across the country. The group spoke at length about dockless bicycles and scooters, and appropriate ways to regulate the transportation medium.

Officials with Austin Transportation Department confirm they met Thursday afternoon with Bird Ride. However, the city issued a statement alluding to the fact the dockless scooter company cannot accept money from customers without a city permit.

"Staff with the Austin Transportation Department is aware of the interest from dockless scooter companies in launching in the Austin market," a spokesperson said. "We are currently communicating with several dockless scooter companies and will continue to support and actively cultivate different mobility options for residents and visitors to Austin. It is important that all businesses occupying the public right of way do so under the proper permits and procedures so they do not present a public safety hazard. We are excited about welcoming any new and innovative ideas to Austin's transportation scene and look forward to supporting these ideas in compliance with state and local law."

Kernan-Schloss said Bird Ride hopes to make a direct impact on Austin congestion.

"We are committing to revenue share, pick up the birds every night off the sidewalk," he said.

Kernan-Schloss said the scooters will be collected every night at 8 p.m. to be recharged and redistributed at 6 a.m.