City of Sarasota: Scooter and bike share program starts to roll out in Sarasota

Contact:  Jan Thornburg, Senior Communications Manager | 941-650-9693 | jan.thornburg@sarasotafl.gov

Sarasota, FL:  New micro-mobility transportation options are now available for rent by residents and visitors of Sarasota with the launch of the City’s e-scooter and bike sharing program.

Veo, a nationwide leader in micro-mobility and the City’s exclusive e-scooter and bike operator, has begun rolling out the vehicles in designated areas across Sarasota. A total of about 350-400 scooters (both seated and stand-up) and 50-75 bicycles (traditional and pedal-assisted) will be available for rent when the initial rollout is complete in the coming weeks.

Scooter and bike corrals and parking areas are being established on Main Street in downtown Sarasota, at St. Armands Circle and at various other locations throughout the City. Staff will be evaluating the parking corral areas to determine efficiency, location and whether modifications are required.

The vehicles can be activated to rent through the Veo app, now available for download in the App Store and Google Play.

“Along with the Bay Runner trolley and the extension of The Legacy Trail, we’re excited to offer these new transportation options for first-mile and last-mile trips as part of our citywide mobility plan,” said Parking Management and Mobility General Manager Mark Lyons. “We’ll be monitoring the scooter and bike share program closely and will be utilizing real-time data to ensure it’s working efficiently and meeting the public’s needs.”

Rental costs for scooters are $1 to unlock them via a mobile app, and 37 cents per minute. Bike rentals are 50 cents per half hour. Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Through its Veo Access program, the company also offers discounted rates to low-income users who qualify.

“The City of Sarasota is embracing shared scooters and bikes as they become a fundamental component of city transportation systems,” said Candice Xie, Veo CEO. “Our scooters and bikes now offer local residents and tourists eco-friendly options that replace car trips and fill the gap between transit, passenger vehicles, and walking.”

Veo uses geofencing technology to limit use of the vehicles in safe, designated areas. They are prohibited on narrow and busy sidewalks. The company employs a 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.

Frequently Asked Questions about the program are available here.

For more information, visit VeoRide.com or call Veo at 855-836-2256.

Media Event:  Veo will host a media event with vehicle demonstrations Friday, March 25 at 11:30 a.m. at City Hall, 1565 First Street.

Media inquiries should be directed to:

• City of Sarasota operations: Jan Thornburg, Senior Communications Manager:  941-650-9693
• Veo operations: Paige Miller, Policy Communications Senior Manager: 805-795-2006 or Press@VeoRide.com

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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