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December 8, 2024 – Denver’s experiment with a single e-scooter provider is hitting a familiar roadblock: sidewalk riding. Despite Veo winning the city contract last year with a promise that its vehicles could automatically detect and stop sidewalk use, the scooters are still frequently spotted gliding past pedestrians downtown. The City Council is now taking a closer look at the contract, and the company faces a potential enforcement deadline.
The city awarded Veo the exclusive e-scooter and bike permit in 2024, replacing Lime and Bird after a competitive bidding process. A key part of the pitch was Veo’s “sidewalk detection” technology, which uses sensors and GPS to slow or stop a scooter when it leaves the street. The feature was supposed to be fully operational by the time the new ordinance took effect on July 1, requiring all rental scooters to be equipped with such technology.
But nearly five months later, enforcement remains spotty. Residents report seeing Veo scooters weaving through sidewalk crowds, and some say the audible warnings the scooters emit are often ignored by riders. “The problem isn’t the scooter; it’s the operators,” one reader noted. “The bad ones will always ruin it for everyone else.”
Council members are now reviewing the contract terms, which include performance benchmarks. According to a source familiar with the discussions, some council members are pushing for a 30-day remediation window. If Veo fails to reduce sidewalk complaints by 80%, the city could impose daily fines starting at $5,000—or even revoke the permit. The company, however, maintains that its technology is improving. A Veo spokesperson said the system is being updated remotely and will be “fully effective by early 2025.”
The situation highlights a broader challenge for cities embracing micromobility. Denver’s bike lane network has expanded, but many riders argue that certain streets—especially those with high-speed traffic or no dedicated bike infrastructure—force them onto sidewalks for safety. “On some streets and stretches of road it’s just too dangerous to ride on the road. Personal safety comes first,” said one reader, echoing a common sentiment.
Yet safety on sidewalks is also a concern. Pedestrians, especially those with mobility aids or strollers, say the scooters create hazards. “Honestly, the scooters really don’t impede a lot with numerous bike lanes downtown,” countered another reader, adding that the sit-down scooters Veo offers are a hit. “But I do dislike the monopoly of just one company.”
Some residents suggest a simple fix: mandatory docking stations. “The ride (and cost) doesn’t end until you return to a docking station. That’s how e-bikes work in many places and they’re always docked, not randomly thrown about town,” one commenter wrote. Others argue that the alternative—more cars—is worse. “If all the Veo rides were car journeys, you’d be complaining about the traffic. The situation had become blown out of all proportion.”
Denver isn’t alone in struggling with scooter enforcement. Cities like San Diego and Austin have implemented geofencing technology that automatically slows scooters in no-ride zones, with mixed results. Paris, on the other hand, banned rental e-scooters outright in 2023 after a public referendum. Denver’s approach—a single provider with strict tech requirements—was seen as a middle ground, but the rollout has been bumpy.
The council is expected to hold a public hearing on the contract in January. Veo has until then to show significant improvement. In the meantime, riders and pedestrians are left to navigate the same old friction.
What do you think of the city’s scooter contract, sidewalk riders, and Veo’s performance so far? Share your thoughts in a comment, or email editorial@westword.com.
