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1. If I want to rent a scooter or e-bike, how do I do it?

These devices are accessed using company-specific apps on a smart phone. Download the Veo app onto your smartphone, complete the registration and payment information process, and the app will provide you access to that company’s devices.

2. Where can I ride?

E-scooters and E-bikes can be ridden on streets and shared use paths, but not on sidewalks or trails (Sec. 15-246).  All of these devices are not to be ridden on the bricked portion of the Downtown Mall, the Corner, or Court Square or at McIntire Skate Park.

3. Where should I park at the end of my trip?

Be considerate every time you park, by not obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Some companies may enforce penalties on users that consistently park devices in improper ways, including banning users from devices entirely.

Some specific parking tips include:

• Do not block bus stops
• Do not block driveways
• Do not block entrances to buildings, including near ramp or walkway railings and ADA door push buttons
• Do not block fire hydrants
• Do not block pedestrian call buttons
• Do not block sidewalk curb ramps
• Do not block walkways
• Do not block travel lanes

Additionally, do not park on private property unless the company specifically allows it at a certain location.

4. Do pedal bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters have different traffic laws?

Pedal bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters must abide by the same laws as motor vehicles in terms of obeying posted traffic regulations, signs and signals (Virginia State Code Section 46.2-905).

Charlottesville City Code prohibits e-scooters and e-bikes from riding on sidewalks (Sec. 15-246).

5. Do I have to wear a helmet?

City Code requires those 14 years of age and younger to wear a helmet when operating a bicycle or scooter. However, several operators require their users to wear helmets when operating their devices. Check with each company’s requirements before beginning your trip.

If you do not own a helmet and would like one, they are generally available for purchase at any bike shop and online. Several operators also provide free or low-cost helmets to users that request them.

6. Can I ride from Charlottesville into neighboring municipalities or vice versa?

Possibly, but we don’t recommend it.

7. Who owns the devices (i.e. scooters and bikes)?

These devices belong to private companies. If there are questions, concerns or complaints, please contact the operator directly. Veoride’s contact number is 855-VEO-2256 and this information is visible on the device. As a condition of their permit, once the company is notified of an issue, they are required to rectify the situation in 1 hour.

8. Are these devices legal in Charlottesville?

Until the development of the pilot program, there were no regulations in place to prohibit the operation and use of these devices in Charlottesville. With the approved program, City staff can regulate the number of devices, their top speeds, and other operational elements.

9. Are these scooters and bikes part of the Ubike program?

No. The devices are provided by private entities separate from the University-owned U-Bike Bikeshare system.

10. What is the top speed of these devices?

State code requires that speeds be limited to 15 mph (20 mph for e-bikes).

11. How many devices are in Charlottesville?

The City has approved 250 scooters and 50 electric bikes to operate in Charlottesville (initial maximum fleet size is 350 scooters). If an operator is able to demonstrate sufficient demand for their devices and successful compliance with the regulations, they may petition the City for additional devices during the permit. Electric bikes are exempt from the fleet size cap.

Similarly, if these devices achieve less than 2 trips per device per day, the City may require the operator to reduce its fleet size.

12. What can I do if an bicycle or scooter is left on my property and I want it removed? How about if either is left blocking a sidewalk?

If you are capable of moving the improperly-parked device to a proper location, you may do so. The bikes and e-scooters are relatively easy to move.

Or you may call the company to request they remove it. Veoride’s contact number is 855-VEO-2256 and this information is visible on the device. As a condition of their permit, once the company is notified of an issue, they are required to rectify the situation in 1hours.