The City of College Park, University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) and Town of University Park have partnered with the mobility share company VeoRide to pilot a year-long bike and electric scooter (e-scooter) program, which replaces MBike in the same service area.
VeoRide launched in August 2019, with a fleet of 150 electric assist bikes (e-bikes), 70 pedal bikes and 70 e-scooters available at different locations on campus and around the City of College Park and Town of University Park. Bikes and e-scooters will be available from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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, bicycles must be parked at any public bike rack within the service area, and e-scooters must be parked in designated areas identified in the app. The rider pushes the button on the lock to end the trip.
E-bikes and e-scooters cost $1.00 to unlock and 15 cents per minute of use. Pedal bicycles cost $1.00 to unlock and 5 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.
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.