Veo Begins Deploying 400 E-Bikes With Throttles In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — Veo has started deploying its first fleet of 400 class 2 e-bikes in Arlington. This new class of e-bikes, called Cosmo-e, features a throttle and pedals and provides riders with the option of pedaling or using the throttle to get where they need to go.

In October, Veo will begin deploying 300 e-bikes in Alexandria.

“Arlington and Alexandria have long been at the forefront of urban mobility as adopters of the region’s bikeshare system over a decade ago,” Candice Xie, CEO of Veo, said in a statement. “We’re working closely with local leaders to increase the use of shared mobility in the region and bring new riders into the fold with our class 2 e-bike.”

According to Veo, class 1 e-bikes have a motor that engages while pedaling. Most e-bikes offered in shared fleets today are class 1 e-bikes. Class 2 e-bikes, like the Cosmo-e, have a motor that engages when a rider holds down a throttle that moves the bike forward even when the rider is not pedaling, Veo said.

This new class of e-bikes will help Arlington and Alexandria reach the aggressive targets they have set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, according to Veo. In a recent survey, 43 percent of Veo riders said they have been able to avoid using a car or decrease their car use because of access to micromobility forms of transportation like e-bikes.

The Arlington County Board adopted regulations in 2019 that allow for the use of e-bikes and scooters in the county, including on the W&OD and the Mount Vernon trails, ARLnow reported Tuesday.

Founded in 2017, Veo's fleet also includes electric scooters and its Halo e-bike and pedal bike.

Using the Veo app, riders 18 years of age or older scan a QR code to unlock the vehicle. The cost to unlock is $1 and the ride costs 39 cents per minute. To end a trip, the Veo app helps users locate an approved parking area. Riders must take an “end-of-ride” photo of the properly parked bike.

The Veo e-bikes are dockless. But there are a number of hubs in Arlington where residents can find them, according to ARLnow.

To celebrate the launch in Arlington, Veo is offering a $5 credit that can be redeemed on the app using the code: HIVA5. The credit will be available through Sept. 16.

The Veo Access Plan is available to eligible Arlington and Alexandria residents who receive federal, state, or local assistance, and students who are FAFSA eligible. The plan, which has a monthly fee of $5, waives the unlock fee for riders and provides one free 30-minute ride per day. Additional rides are 20 cents a minute.