COLUMBUS, Ohio — As cities across the U.S. shift toward more sustainable transportation, big changes are coming to Ohio as Veo takes over the scooter and bike rental program. The company has just launched its new fleet of bikes and scooters as part of the Columbus and Central Ohio Shared Mobility Program.
The program marks a shift as it replaces the city’s previous partnership with CoGo Bikes, Bird, Lime and Lyft. As part of a settlement agreement with Columbus, Spin will be the only company that will continue offering scooters and bikes to the city’s shared mobility program.
Justin Goodwin, the city's Mobility and Parking Services administrator, said one of the priorities in negotiating the contracts with Veo and Spin was addressing issues like abandoned scooters obstructing sidewalks or handicapped curb ramps. He said the city hopes that the combination of improved infrastructure and technology will alleviate these concerns and provide a safer, more convenient system for residents.
As the new program rolls out, some riders are concerned about how the changes will impact their experience. Sheldon Goodrum, associate attorney at Grossman Law Offices and frequent scooter rider, said he uses scooters to commute to work, grab lunch or even meet up with friends. Goodrum worries the new parking rules could discourage riders.
“I think we’ll have less scooters laying around in places where they don’t belong, but I do think to some extent it may disincentivize scooter riders because one of the perks of using scooters is being able to pull right up to your building or restaurant, get off and walk right in," Goodrum said.
Goodwin said that the city is working closely with VeoRide to develop effective solutions. Joe Bott, Veo's Senior Policy and Partnership manager, added that new technology will be implemented to help improve parking and allow riders to give feedback easily.
The program is part of Columbus' ongoing efforts to build a more integrated, accessible and sustainable transportation system. This initiative comes after the city’s commitment to enhancing mobility options and aligns with the city’s Bike Plus Plan, which was approved last year to further advance sustainable transportation in Columbus.
The new shared mobility program offers a diverse range of vehicles designed to accommodate various riders and transportation needs. The fleet includes seated scooters, pedal-assisted e-bikes, traditional pedal bikes and dual-occupancy seated e-scooters. In total 50% of the fleet will feature seated vehicles to ensure greater accessibility for those with different mobility needs. According to Joe Bott, Veo's Senior Policy and Partnership Manager, the focus will be on improving safety and functionality.
“One of the core principles of our company is to unlock joy. And we believe that transportation should be fun and safe,” said Bott.
Currently, 500 vehicles are deployed across the city, with plans for the program to expand to a maximum of 2,000 vehicles. These new vehicles are available at existing Cogo locations, with additional parking spots in development. Spin will also be capped at 2,000 vehicles and will adhere to the same protocols as Veo.
As the program grows Goodwin said riders will have access to the expanding fleet of vehicles with clear guidelines on usage. The current policy requires riders to be at least 18 years old. To use the vehicles, users must scan the QR code on the scooter or bike, pay a $1 unlock fee, followed by a per-minute charge of 25 to 50 cents, depending on the type of vehicle selected. Additional deals and promotions are available through the Veo app. Riders will also be required to submit a photo at the end of each trip, ensuring that they have parked the vehicle properly in designated areas.
The city has prioritized addressing the issue of abandoned scooters blocking sidewalks and curb ramps. Goodwin said the city is working with Veo and Spin to design their apps so that riders are guided to park their devices in designated spots. Users who fail to comply may face fines, though there will be an initial grace period where warnings are issued.
While the immediate launch of the shared mobility program has started, the city’s long-term vision includes further investments in infrastructure to support these vehicles, as well as a continued effort to make transportation safer for all users. Goodrum said, as the program grows, he is hopeful for further improvements to the city's infrastructure to enhance safety and convenience.
“I’d love to see dedicated scooter lanes for me and all other scooter riders and I’d also like to see the city continue improving the streets to make things a little bit safer," Goodrum said.
He also hopes as the city rolls out the new fleet of scooters the city continues its education campaign encouraging scooter riders to ride safely.
For now, Ohioans can expect to see VeoRide scooters and bikes in locations around Columbus.