Common Council discusses Veo bikes, considers contract renewal
Syracuse Common Councilors discussed the renewal of the city’s year-long contract with VeoRide Inc. A Wednesday meeting addressed bike improvements, concerns for riders, deployment locations and a new “parking coach.” Marley Wong | Daily Orange File Photo
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The Syracuse Common Council raised concerns with VeoRide Inc. at a Public Transportation Committee meeting Wednesday pending its contract renewal next week.
Veo has had a contract with Syracuse for almost five years. The Wednesday meeting, facilitated by Common Councilor and Chair of the Public Transportation Marino Nave, allowed councilors to talk to representatives at Veo about the company’s e-bikes in Syracuse.
Jeffrey Hoover, Veo’s director of government partnerships, addressed improvements in Syracuse’s partnership, including a $250,000 city-program investment, 33% bike inventory increase and a new mechanism to prevent bikes from tipping over.
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Nave raised concerns about riders driving while intoxicated, which Hoover said will be addressed through stronger regulation available later this spring. He also asked about unregulated helmet use, where Hoover said Veo plans to introduce AI detection that rewards helmet use through rebates in the near future.
Councilor Donna Moore expressed concern for those under 18 years old who illegally use the bikes without completing age verification. An October law signed in California required age verification programs to be present in certain software, including Veo bikes. Hoover said a similar New York state law change would be necessary for bikes to verify ages in Syracuse.
Syracuse has nearly doubled its bike racks to 44 across the city, Hoover said. The increase is to avoid disposal in areas that may elicit complaints or inconvenience residents. In 2026, the company plans to introduce the Veo Trike to the city, Hoover said. The newer e-bike assists with mobility and balance, and includes storage. The Veo Apollo will also be launched in the city, which provides a second seat behind the rider.
He said the goals for these new bikes are to increase accessibility within the city and allow more riders to feel comfortable using them.
In the presentation, Hoover identified Syracuse’s South Side neighborhood as a food desert — an area lacking grocery stores, leaving residents without a car unable to access fresh food.
“We really want to focus (on) deploying in known areas of food deserts,” Hoover said. “It’s one thing to get to a grocery store on a scooter, it’s another thing to get home on a scooter when you have bags.”
Veo has introduced a new AI “virtual parking coach,” Hoover said. The tool requires customers to receive parking approval in the app through a photograph prior to leaving the bike and ending a ride.
Hoover said this program aims to prevent users from leaving bikes in the center of sidewalks or other areas that may hinder traffic, and holds riders accountable for correcting their parking.
Veo will credit users traveling to Centro bus stops $1 per trip through the app, Hoover said. He also said the company will intentionally place bikes in areas where bus routes lack coverage.
Veo recorded a 34% increase in total rides for 2025, totalling over 570,000, Hoover said. He also explained that 2025 saw a 2% decrease in median fees per ride, totaling less than $2.75.
Though students do use the bikes, Hoover said the majority of users are not students, and ridership does not “hinge” upon the Syracuse University academic calendar.
At Wednesday’s common council study session, Nave said the council’s vote on the contract’s renewal will be held until Monday.
If approved by the council on Monday, the contract will go into effect immediately and be voted upon again following its expiration Dec. 31.
