By Anna Hovey

As fall semester rolled around, rentable bikes and e-scooters rolled onto campus as well. Since, the so-called micro-mobility companies VeoRide and Bird Rides have both become staples of the campus community. 

“We’re excited about this new partnership that expands our mobility options,” said University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services Executive Director David Allen in a release. “VeoRide’s parking technology and commitment to safety allows us to deliver a fleet and parking system that works for our community.”

VeoRide bikes and scooters arrived at the university on Aug. 28 after partnering with DOTS, the city of College Park and the town of University Park. Veoride, which has been called a “pioneer of the mobility industry,” has since established a fleet of 150 e-bikes, 70 of which are electric scooters and 70 of which are pedal bikes. 

According to the university’s page on VeoRide, e-scooters cost $1 to unlock and 15 cents per minute of use. Pedal bikes have the same $1 base cost, but only charge users 5 cents a minute. 

VeoRide bikes and scooters and maintained and kept up by the company, and demonstrations made by employees are available around campus throughout the fall semester. VeoRide bikes and scooters can be found at any of the 24 stations around campus, including by Francis Scott Key Hall, Jason’s Deli and Ritchie Coliseum. Other locations can be found on the app. 

Unlike VeoRide, Bird Scooters, which were brought to campus with the support of the RHA, are not endorsed by the University of Maryland. But they are convenient in one way that VeoRide is not— while VeoRide bikes have a 9 p.m. curfew to avoid drunk riding and ensure nighttime safety, Bird Scooters are accessible 24 hours a day. 

According to the Bird app, these scooters come in two makes— the Bird Ninebot made by Segway, and the Bird One, which the company calls the industry’s most durable. 

Bird scooters can be rented on a day-to-day basis starting at $1 daily, or on a monthly basis, according to the app. The Bird Ninebot costs $29.99 a month, while the Bird One costs $59.99 a month. 

These scooters are dockless, meaning that they can be left just about anywhere around campus. Unlike VeoRide, it’s up to Bird users to maintain and charge the scooters.

One of the topics covered at the RHA town hall on Nov. 12 was the recent rise in Bird accidents due to decreased daylight hours as we near winter. According to Allen, the university may work to increase the number of VeoRide bikes and scooters on campus to combat the issues with Bird Scooters. He also said there will likely be further legislation on Bird Scooters in the coming weeks.

Junior computer science major Anjali Sharma said she uses her Bird scooter every day. She bought the scooter to combat the cold weather as it comes on.

“They are easy to use, and since my classes are so far they get me wherever I want, and very fast,” Sharma said in an email.

Sharma said that while she believes the scooters are built safely, the cracks and bumps in campus roads and sidewalks may make riding more hazardous. She added that there aren’t enough bike racks and lanes on campus currently. 

Sharma said struggles also arise from sharing the roads with cars. 

“The cars that drive around don’t understand that the road is shared with bike/scooter people,” Sharma said.

Alexander Goldstein, a senior and marketing and information systems double major, said he finds e-bikes and scooters the most useful when it comes to traveling longer distances across campus or when he finds himself getting a late start. 

Despite the upsides, Goldstein said the electric rides also pose some problems.

“I understand the idea behind having specific drop zones [for VeoRide], but it makes it difficult to travel to certain places,” Goldstein said. “They either need to abolish the drop zones, or add more of them in more convenient locations across campus.”

Goldstein said he never sees students wearing helmets while riding, making the practice less than safe. 

“I haven’t injured myself, but one of my friends tore up her ankle trying to park one, and I’m personally afraid that I’m going to go over a curb and fly off the front,” Goldstein said in an email.
The university is accepting feedback on its recent partnership with VeoRide.