City of Sarasota: Scooter and bike share program coming to Sarasota

Contact:  Jason Bartolone, Communications Specialist   941-928-3988; jason.bartolone@SarasotaFL.gov

Sarasota, FL:  New micro-mobility transportation options will soon be available to residents and visitors of Sarasota after the City Commission on Monday unanimously approved an agreement with an e-scooter and bike sharing provider. 

Veo, a nationwide company based in Chicago, was selected as the exclusive operator in designated areas across Sarasota. About 350-400 scooters (both seated and stand-up) and 50-75 bicycles (traditional and pedal-assisted) will initially be available for rent, with the company having the option to increase the rental fleet if usage requirements are met. 

City staff will now be assessing areas of the City where scooter and bike corrals may be operated via geofencing and establishing parking corrals. The service is expected to be available in early March. 

Rental costs for scooters will be $1 to unlock them via a mobile app, and 37 cents per minute. Bike rentals will be 50 cents per half hour. Through its Veo Access program, the company also offers discounted rates to low-income users who qualify. 

The City will receive a share of the company’s revenues as part of the two-year agreement. 

“We’re overjoyed to be bringing these convenient, safe and cost-effective transportation options to Sarasota,” said Mayor Erik Arroyo. “Having a micro-mobility program will help fill in the gaps in our transportation network for first-mile and last-mile trips to help our citizens get where they want and need to go. I’m looking forward to this transformative and successful partnership with Veo.” 

As part of the agreement, the company has committed to employing locally based staff who will be available to repair and replace vehicles, return misplaced scooters and bikes to parking corrals and respond to any issues. 

“Many of the industry’s biggest companies responded to the City’s call for vendors, but we were most impressed with Veo’s plan to make this a true partnership and serve the unique needs of our community,” said Parking Division General Manager Mark Lyons. 

Veo operates in more than 35 cities across the country, including St. Petersburg and Gainesville here in Florida. 

“Our goal at Veo is develop collaborative, long-term partnerships with cities, like Sarasota, to work together to create a sustainable, safe, and equitable transportation future,” said Candice Xie, Veo CEO. “Sarasota is a fantastic market for residents as well as tourists and Veo e-scooters and bikes provide eco-friendly options that fill the gap between mass transit, passenger vehicles, and walking.” 

For more information, visit veoride.com or contact the City of Sarasota Parking Division at 941-263-6475. 

About the City of Sarasota:  Distinguished by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S., the City of Sarasota is a diverse and inclusive community located on Florida’s Suncoast with 56,000 year-round residents, several internationally recognized cultural arts venues, stunning sunsets along Lido Beach and Major League spring training baseball with the Baltimore Orioles.  Learn more about us at www.SarasotaFL.Gov 

About Veo: Veo is bringing the next generation of shared electric bikes and scooters to cities and universities around the world. Founded in 2017 by two Purdue University graduates, Veo operates from a set of values that distinguish us in the industry. We are grounded in financial responsibility: Veo partnered with select cities to achieve profitability before scaling. Our in-house design and manufacturing process enables us to constantly innovate and provide cities with vehicle fleets that are made to last. We develop collaborative, long-term partnerships with cities and universities so we can work together toward a sustainable, safe, and equitable transportation future. Learn more at veoride.com.