The City of College Park, University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) and Town of University Park have extended the pilot program with the mobility share company VeoRide to pilot an electric assist a bike (e-bike) and electric scooter (e-scooter) program.
Since VeoRide launched in August 2019, the fleet has expanded to 100 e-bikes and 150 e-scooters. Bikes and e-scooters will now be available 247 off campus in the City of College Park and Town of University Park. On-campus riding hours are 5am - 9pm.
HOW TO RIDE
To rent a bike or e-scooter, customers must download the free VeoRide app on their mobile device and locate their preferred vehicle. After initiating Bluetooth pairing, they must scan the QR code on the vehicle or enter the vehicle’s ID to unlock it and ride. At the end of the trip, vehicles must be parked at any public bike rack or designated parking area within the service area. The rider pushes the button on the lock to end the trip. E-bikes cost $1.00 to unlock and 20 cents per minute of use. E-scooters cost $1.00 to unlock and 25 cents per minute of use.
SAFETY FIRST
Riders should always wear a helmet. Exercise caution if it is necessary to cross or briefly travel on a busy road and remember to always yield to pedestrians. First-time users are required to review safety protocol in the VeoRide app before activating their vehicle.
Micro-mobility can serve as an alternative to other forms of public transportation and there are some steps you can take to protect yourself:
1. Wipe down any shared surface with disinfectant before and after taking a ride
2. Wash your hands with soap before and after taking a ride
3. Consider wearing gloves as precaution
WHERE TO PARK
Bikes and scooters must be parked at any public bike rack or designated parking area shown in the Veo app within the service area boundary. Additional designated parking zones will be added throughout the City in the form of painted boxes on sidewalks and trails.
REPORTING PROBLEMS
Having Issues? Spot an incorrectly parked VeoRide scooter or bike? Contact VeoRide at hello@veoride.com or call 855-836-2256 to report any problems.
Where am I allowed to drive VeoRide bikes and scooters?
Bikes and scooters should generally be used on roads in low traffic areas and bike lanes with the flow of traffic. As of November 1, 2019, Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation issued a Park Directive to allow the use of Electric Bicycles and Electric Scooters on certain hard-surface hiker-biker trails on Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation property as part of a pilot program through August 31, 2020. The Lake Artemesia Park Trails that circle the lake, are excluded from use by Electric Bicycles and Electric Scooters during the pilot program period.
For more details, please see the full Directive at this link: http://mncppc.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1516
For further information, please contact the City’s Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development.