Company responds to Columbus' new e-bike provider

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A few weeks ago, the City of Columbus announced it is phasing out the current e-bikes and e-scooters available, including Lime, Spin and CoGo. Instead, there will be a brand-new fleet from a company called Veo with a wider array of options for riders.  

One of the current companies is not happy to be leaving Columbus. E-scooter company Lime sent a statement to NBC4 expressing its disappointment to be leaving Columbus.  

City Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla said she is excited about the future with Veo, which offers more devices including pedal bikes, e-bikes and sit-down scooters.  

“The time was now for us to really think about the needs of all of our residents from whatever your age is, whatever your mobility challenges may or may not be, and give the best possible options to them,” Barroso de Padilla said.  

She said part of the reason Veo was chosen was because the current scooters are dockless, leading to scooters being left on sidewalks and ADA ramps. Veo’s scooters will have to be returned to a charging dock after use.  

Lime directly called out this reasoning in its statement, saying, in part, “We understand that new operators have promised that this decision will lead to an immediate fix to all problems associated with riding and parking e-scooters, something we do not believe to be true. Lime asks for the city to be clear eyed about evaluating whether or not that proves true and if not, we hope for the chance to return.”  

Barroso de Padilla said the city is ready for the next chapter with Veo.  

“We went with one company because it gave us the ability to have better customer service, it gave us the ability to have more micro-mobility options for our residents, and that’s why the time was now,” she said.  

Barroso de Padilla is confident residents will enjoy the new Veo devices because of the range of options, but Lime’s statement makes it clear the company isn’t giving up, saying, “We would be grateful for the opportunity to work with the city and determine a way to come back. We don’t want to let down our hundreds of thousands of riders here, who made us the provider with the most rides in the city.”  

Barroso de Padilla said she is working to make sure there is not a gap in service as the current bikes and scooters are phased out and the Veo fleet comes in. She said people will notice the switch around March.