City of Bend chooses Veo as the vendor for its new, permanent bike-share program, rolling out this week
Barney Lerten
(Update: Adding KTVZ News Poll)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The City of Bend announced Tuesday it’s partnering with Veo, an independent shared mobility company, to bring shared e-bikes to the community. Veo will begin introducing its fleet of 300 e-bikes this week.
The city’s selection of Veo as its new vendor followed the City Council’s vote in April to establish a permanent bike-share program.
This type of program is not new to Bend – between 2022 and 2024, the company Bird operated a Bike Share Pilot Program within the city.
Like Bird, Veo’s e-bikes – the model they call Cosmo – will be available to riders for a fee. The permanent bike share program allows one operator to manage the citywide program under a license of up to three years, officials said, and will incorporate lessons learned from the pilot program – including the importance of responsible e-bike parking.
“Improving access to affordable and convenient multimodal transportation is a priority for the City of Bend. A permanent bike share program will help ensure flexibility and inclusivity across different modes of travel, the city said in Tuesday’s announcement.
“Bikes and e-bikes are also effective tools for reducing traffic congestion, lowering single-occupancy vehicle use, and minimizing emissions, helping to reduce the City’s carbon footprint.”
“Bend’s new bikeshare program is about expanding access to convenient, affordable transportation —and making car-free travel fun,” said Jeff Hoover, Veo’s director of government partnerships. “Whether you’re commuting to work, connecting to CET, or just exploring Bend without a car, Veo is here to make getting around easier. We’re proud to partner with the city to support its climate goals, reduce parking demand, and bring more transportation options to the community.”
Veo also emphasizes rider responsibility, or the “riding Dos and Don’ts” listed below:
Do:
●Yield to pedestrians: Give people walking the right of way every time.
●Park responsibly: Park your vehicle out of pedestrian paths to ensure safety.
●Wear a helmet: Protect your noggin while riding.
●Take the bike lane: Ride in the street or bike lane, not on the sidewalk.
●Obey traffic laws: Follow stop signs, signals, and speed limits.
Don’t:
●Ride underage: Riders must be 18+ to unlock and operate.
●Double ride: One rider per vehicle.
●Ride on the sidewalk: Keep sidewalks clear and stick to the street or bike lane.
●Ride under the influence: Never while under the influence—it’s illegal.