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Introducing Sarasota’s New E-Scooters & Bicycles
The next time you find yourself in downtown Sarasota, keep an eye out for the city’s new easy, efficient, and super fun public transportation system. In March, the city brought in over 350 electric scooters and over 50 bicycles for pedestrians to rent and ride through designated areas. This new addition to Sarasota and Siesta Key aims to reduce the growing city traffic and give residents and visitors another excellent option for quick transportation. As the local experts, Best Western Siesta Key is sharing everything you need to know about finding, renting, and riding around Sarasota in style with these new e-scooters and bikes.
What Are They?
Instead of calling a ride-share service or hopping on the Sarasota Bay Runner Trolley that cruises from St. Armand’s and Lido Key to Downtown Sarasota, the city is working with the company Veo to supply the area with an e-scooter and bike-sharing program. In designated spots in downtown Sarasota and around Siesta Key, you can find bikes and electric scooters, both stand-up and sit-down that can go as fast as 15 mph. It’s hard to argue that any other mode of transportation is more thrilling, especially on vacation.
How Do They Work?
If you’re ready to rent one of these cool scooters or bikes, simply download the Veo app. You’ll be prompted to enter basic information like your birthday as well as a valid form of payment before your scooter or bike is ready to ride. It is important to note that you must be 18 years old to rent and ride. To make this a wonderful and inexpensive experience around town, Veo rides cost just one dollar to unlock and 37 cents per minute to enjoy a scooter ride or 50 cents per half hour to zip around town on a Veo bike. It’s cost-effective and as easy as that!
Where Can You Ride Them?
Riders can pick up a scooter or bike on Main Street in Sarasota, in the Lido Beach parking lot, around St. Armand’s Circle, and on Siesta Key, making Veo transportation a great complement to renting a car. Riders can even take Veo scooters and bikes over the Ringling Bridge. However, it’s best to stay in bike lanes and off of narrow and busy sidewalks. To ensure riders are safe, stay within range, and return scooters and bikes to their designated areas, Veo utilizes geofencing technology. This helps the company enforce its rules and allows riders to locate the closest pick-up and drop-off areas.
Are There Any Important Rules?
Any new riders can explore a quick training session provided by the Veo app as soon as you create your account. The app is also where all rules and regulations will be outlined to riders. Before beginning your bike or scooter ride, it is essential to familiarize yourself with basic guidelines. Veo bikes and scooters are available to rent daily from 6 am to 10 pm and must be returned to designated/approved parking corrals to end your ride. An assessed fee may be applied if scooters and bikes are not properly parked in an approved area.
Your friends at Best Western Siesta Key can’t wait to hear all about your rides and experiences on Sarasota’s new e-scooters and bikes and hope you enjoy cruising the streets of our beautiful city and Siesta Key. To read more FAQs and guidelines regarding Veo scooters and bicycles, click here or visit Sarasotafl.gov.