A new electric bicycle company is adding a combination of bicycles and scooters on the streets of Seattle, which is expanding traffic sharing options.
Chicago based VEO plans to have 1500 Cosmo electric bicycles in Seattle by next spring and will deploy the first 500 next week.
Cosmo has accelerator assist function, pedal and motor, which makes it easier for people with different abilities to drive. The lower center of gravity is reminiscent of a wheeled scooter, which is also part of the Seattle Department of transportation’s mobility program.
VEO will join Lyme, which now belongs to Uber, as the city’s second bicycle stock option. Lyme operates a red jump electric bicycle.
Candice Xie, CEO of VEO, said at a news conference: “we are pleased to work with Seattle to expand sustainable transportation with our most easy-to-use electric bicycle to date.”. “VEO’s E-bike will provide seattlite with an interesting, car free option so that they can reach where they need to go, whether it’s to the nearby coffee shop or the last stop at the bus stop.”
According to sdot data, up to 2021, 359000 bicycles have been shared so far. Before 2020, when coronavirus diseases are prevalent and changing in 2019, this number will rise from 316700 in 2020 to far lower than the record in 2019.
In addition to the wheels, Seattle also has a fleet of scooters from Lyme, spring and link. Electric scooters attracted more riders in 2021, 1.8 million person times, more than 88600 in 2020.
Sam Zimbabwe, director of sdot, said in a statement: “the project is an important part of our strategy to reduce pollution and achieve climate goals. We are pleased to expand the project and welcome VEO to Seattle.”.
Vio said the E-bike project will bring up to 30 jobs to Seattle, focusing on maintenance, rebalancing, responding to on-site needs and community participation. The company has about 200 employees.
Drivers can use the VEO app to scan the QR code and unlock the bike for only $1. During the whole trip, the fare is 29 cents per minute. The promotion code will allow drivers to bypass the unlocking fee and get a $5 credit card. VEO also offers discounted rates for low-income passengers.
As with other sharing options, passengers are encouraged to park their equipment responsibly to avoid obstructing traffic on urban sidewalks. The rider must take pictures of the VEO bike to confirm the correct stop and end the ride.
VEO raised $16 million in a round of financing in July to promote expansion and currently operates in about 30 cities in the United States.