In Denver, the age requirement to rent a scooter or e-bike from Veo is 18, but enforcement is lacking. The app relies on an honor system, allowing users to simply declare they are of age. This has led to increased reports of minors using these scooters, raising safety concerns.
Underage Riding and Safety Concerns
Reports have emerged of children riding scooters around parks, schools, and even near police stations. Some high schools and middle schools have noted a rise in scooter-related incidents, with East High School reporting seven injuries in one day. These incidents highlight the potential dangers of underage scooter use, including accidents and injuries from unsafe riding practices.
Despite these concerns, Veo has not implemented age verification measures like scanning government IDs, which some other companies have adopted in different cities. Instead, Veo has introduced slow ride zones around Denver Public School properties and is working with the city on parent education and geofencing to enhance safety.
Community and Company Responses
Veo’s spokesperson, Alex Keating, stated that the company is committed to addressing underage riding by suspending accounts if minors are found using the service. However, the company does not track complaints specifically related to age verification, making it difficult to assess the extent of the issue.
The Denver Police Department has not received any complaints about underage scooter use, and mobility advocate Jill Locantore argues that the focus should be on more pressing safety issues, such as car-related dangers. Nonetheless, the community remains concerned about the safety of young riders and the need for stricter enforcement of age restrictions.
As scooter use continues to rise in popularity, with Veo customers taking over 590,000 rides in Denver, the debate over age verification and safety measures is likely to persist. Veo encourages the public to report underage riding and unsafe behaviors to help address these concerns.
Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.
