New "micro-mobility" transportation options will soon be available to residents and visitors of Sarasota after the city commission on Monday unanimously approved an agreement with an e-scooter and bike sharing provider. 

Veo, which is based in Chicago, was selected as the exclusive operator in designated areas across Sarasota. About 350-400 scooters (both seated and stand-up) and 50-75 bicycles (traditional and pedal-assisted) will initially be available for rent, with the option to increase the rental fleet if usage requirements are met. 

City staff will now be assessing areas of the City where scooter and bike corrals may be operated via geofencing and establishing parking corrals. The service is expected to be available in early March. Rental costs for scooters will be $1 to unlock them via a mobile app, and 37 cents per minute. Bike rentals will be 50 cents per half hour. Veo also offers discounted rates to low-income users who qualify. The city of Sarasota will receive a share of the company’s revenues as part of the two-year agreement.

As part of the agreement, the company has committed to employing locally based staff who will be available to repair and replace vehicles, return misplaced scooters and bikes to parking corrals and respond to any issues.

Veo operates in more than 35 cities across the country, including St. Petersburg and Gainesville here in Florida.