Veo ridership rises in Denver, but scooter complaints persist
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Denver's new scooter and e-bike program is drawing strong demand — and familiar complaints.
Why it matters: Just months into Veo's three-year contract, ridership is climbing — particularly among low-income residents — but the company's promises of safer sidewalks, better parking and more equitable access are being tested by persistent gripes about sidewalk riding and scooter clutter.
By the numbers: More than 145,000 riders took 1.3 million trips during Veo's first two months, up 12% from Lime and Bird's ridership during the same period last year, company figures show.
- Low-income riders took 42% of trips, using 60 free minutes daily allotted with Veo's reduced-fare program.
- Three-quarters of trips were on seated vehicles, including e-bikes and scooters.
Veo issued 1,836 warnings for rider violations through July 31.
Yes, but: Council member Chris Hinds, who represents downtown and helped usher in the new rules, told Denver7 his office has received more than 100 Veo-related complaints.
- "I'm hearing it is as if the previous vendors never left. The same concerns about sidewalk riding, same concerns about scooter litter everywhere," Hinds said. "And I'm sad as the sponsor of the ordinance that I thought would help clean up our sidewalks."
Reality check: Denver required Veo's vehicles to include sidewalk-detection technology as part of broader safety rules adopted last year. But for now, the technology warns riders rather than automatically slowing them down.
What's next: Veo and city transportation officials say they're working on fixes and stricter enforcement, including issuing fines as of Aug. 10, with escalating penalties possible for repeat offenders.
- Veo plans to introduce automatic speed reductions when sidewalk riding is detected in problem areas and to expand the technology throughout this year.
- The city and company also plan to add more than 150 parking corrals, including around Union Station, Civic Center and Five Points.