Electric Scooter and Bike Share

January 19, 2022

Herald-Tribune article:  Gliding around Sarasota: An e-scooter and bike sharing service is coming to the city

March 16, 2022

City of Sarasota Press Release:  Scooter and bike share program starts to roll out in Sarasota

April 5, 2022

From an email from Mark Lyons, the City's General Manager of the Parking Management & Mobility Division, in response to questions from a Lido resident:

1. According to Veo Ride rules and the City operating agreement with Veo, riders must be at least 18 years of age and licensed. Before starting a ride, each rider must scan their license by cellular phone before the unit is rented. The scan reads the barcodes and can detect the age of the user. Riders then must undergo a series of testing questions before the vehicle is unlocked for riding. Unfortunately, it cannot detect anyone forging use of another license. And to this point, it cannot detect if parents that renting a scooter permit their under age child to use the scooter. Veo makes is very forthright with new riders that this action can result in additional fees being placed on the ride and even ban future use of Veo rides.

2. E-bikes and electric scooters (presumably being used interchangeably) are regulated in the State of Florida as a bicycle. First and foremost, this means that scooters have the same ability and responsibilities that bicyclist have while operating in the public. Bikes must yield to pedestrians whether on the road or on a sidewalk. Scooters and bikes can ride in the road where there is bike lane, or in the road when speed limits are under 30 m.p.h. Bikes are not excluded from use of sidewalks under the state law, but they must yield to pedestrians at all times. Regarding the sidewalks, the City’s agreement with Veo, and the training program currently in place for riders, advises customers that use of sidewalks are not permitted.

3. Violators of the rules and regulations do occur with standard bicyclist and scooters. Enforcement of bike and scooter regulations can prevent a challenge for police because of various reasons, but continuing education is key as well as monitor illegal activity. As previously mentioned, scooters can legally utilize streets in bike lanes or travel in the active lane where speed limits are lower than 30 m.p.h. . Seemingly this information is not fully clear to many operators, whether driving a car, standard bike, scooter, or other types of vehicles. Bikes and scooters must ride in the direction of traffic, regardless if they are using a bike lane or in the active traffic lane.

4. St. Armands is experiencing a very busy season, unlike what has been seen before. There have been a large number of spring breakers as well. The use of this equipment is reportedly very high at this time, but might be expected to drop in the near future as season wanes.

5. The promotion of the new micromobility program with Veo Ride and the City of Sarasota has been extensively touted through television, newspapers, both digital and print, and social media accounts the city maintains. In addition, Veo Ride issued two public releases to local news outlets, held a promotion day at the downtown Farmer’s Market, giving out hundreds of helmets (not required by law), and other instructional material about riding, including discount coupons to try it.

A few of the objectives of the new micromobility program is to provide enhanced mobility options, move people to their desired destination without moving cars from one space to another, and reduce the congestion created by traffic to and from the mainland. In the first 10 days of service, this new program has moved riders over 12,000 miles – that’s driving the length of Florida 25 times. It is early yet, but it seems the micromobility program is achieving the objective

The City appreciates hearing from you on these questions and observations. We desire refining the new mobility programs early and often, rather than permitting problem to continue without adjustment. Follow this link for more information:

https://www.sarasotafl.gov/our-city/parking-mobility/scooter-and-bike-share

June 13, 2022

City of Sarasota Press Release:  Trolley, scooter programs recognized with international mobility award

July 18, 2022

Observer Article:  Ringling Bridge to be re-striped for a shared bus/bike shoulder lane