Goodbye, Lime and Bird. Hello, Veo. Here’s what you need to know about Denver’s new scooters
The Denver City Council on Monday approved a three-year license agreement for Veo to become the city’s sole micro-mobility scooter operator, replacing Lime and Bird.
The change raises a number of questions for Denverites who use the service. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Denver’s switch to Veo.
When does Denver switch from Lime and Bird to Veo?
The official transition will begin on Friday, May 1, which will provide about a two-week overlap in service with Bird and Lime. This overlap will provide a transition period to ensure Denverites don’t lose service. Bird and Lime are expected to fully remove their scooters from Denver by mid-May.
Will the new Veo scooters look different?
Yes, Veo’s scooters and bikes are painted black and teal on the company’s website. The company says there will be a lot more variety in its 9,000-vehicle fleet in Denver. About 70% of the vehicles will have seats, and 30% will be traditional standing scooters.
The seated vehicles include a seated scooter, a two-person seated scooter, a cargo e-bike and a “three-wheeled, self-balancing cargo trike.” Veo said Denver will be the first city in the nation to pilot the cargo trike.
How much will it cost to ride Veo scooters?
Denverites can get a Denver Resident Pass, which charges $1 to unlock the scooter or e-bike and 25 cents per minute thereafter. Prior to the switch to Veo, Denverites were paying $1 to unlock and 44 cents per minute.
Does Veo have affordable, low-income options?
Veo said income-qualified residents can get 60 minutes of free riding per day through the Veo Access program.
What happens to my Lime or Bird account and credits if I’m already enrolled in the low-income program?
Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure said anyone with Lime and Bird access will automatically have their account transferred to Veo Access.
Do I have to create a new account with Veo?
Yes. Create a new account or log into an existing account if you have used Veo in one of the 50 other cities in which it operates. The app can be downloaded and installed on an Apple or Android smartphone.
Is it true I have to take a test before I can ride on Veo?
Yes, new riders will be required to pass a safety quiz tailored to Denver’s laws before their first ride. It’s a new requirement that wasn’t in place under Bird and Lime and is aimed at reducing rising injuries, which have nearly tripled since 2020.
“At Veo, safety is our top priority and has been since we began designing, manufacturing, and operating shared bike and scooter systems in 2017,” Paige Miller, a Veo spokesperson, said in an email to The Denver Gazette.
Can I ride a Veo scooter on the sidewalk?
In general, it is illegal to ride scooters or e-bikes on Denver sidewalks unless you are within one block of the start or end of your trip. Denver’s city ordinance also allows for limited exceptions for city employees, newspaper delivery or sections of sidewalk that are designated as part of a bike route.
To enforce this, Veo’s vehicles are equipped with GPS and radar-based sidewalk detection. The company says its vehicles will “talk” to riders, reminding them not to ride on sidewalks or other local policies or ordinances.
What are the consequences for riding or parking illegally?
Riders caught riding on the sidewalk can be issued a traffic summons under Denver’s municipal code, however, the Denver police declined to specify what fine riders could face and said the department doesn’t readily track citations.
For riders attempting to abandon scooters in prohibited areas, the app will not allow them to end their ride and they will continue to be charged 25 cents per minute until the vehicle is parked properly.
Why did Denver choose only one micro-mobility scooter company?
Denver said the single-operator system aims to bring a more consistent experience for riders and better control over parking and sidewalk clutter. Plus, Veo has committed to a 100% in-house workforce with full-time employment, DOTI said.
What should I do if a Veo scooter is blocking my driveway or sidewalk?
Residents can report incorrectly parked vehicles by calling 311 or by using Denver’s online reporting form. Under the terms of the new contract, Veo must remove abandoned vehicles within two hours of a report.
What do I do if I’m involved in a crash?
Call 911 if the crash is serious and requires medical attention, or visit an urgent care facility if you’ve been injured. Try to get the Veo device ID number if you’ve been in a crash involving someone on a Veo vehicle and file a police report. You can also contact Veo directly at (855) 836-2256 or at [email protected].
Denver Gazette reporters Deborah Grigsby, Nicole C. Brambila and Kyla Pearce contributed to this report.