Veo, a shared mobility service most recognizable for its rental e-scooters and e-bikes, has made its mark on University of Maryland transport across campus. However, as of late, the appearance of these vehicles has been likened to an infestation among bike rack users during peak class times, most notably for the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center, McKeldin Library, Tawes Hall, and Van Munching Hall.

It’s difficult for any student to anticipate how far Veo vehicles will go to make you late at the most inconvenient of times, yet UMD student Cy Klist (18) recounts her experience with this infestation and her unexpected discovery. 

Cy reported running late for her meeting in ESJ, only to find the bike rack entirely occupied by a combination of Veo e-scooters, Veo e-bikes, and clumsily positioned regular bicycles.

With a lack of parking spots, she allegedly got desperate and decided to ascend the freestanding climbing wall behind the Eppley Recreation Center with her bicycle rudimentarily secured by the straps of her backpack.

“I figured there’d be space up there,” Cy said, yet she was nothing but disgruntled to find another Veo e-scooter already parked atop the 55-foot-tall structure. The student attempted to park her bicycle next to the vehicle, describing the process as “frustratingly awkward as usual, but 55 feet in the air,” which led to “that little alarm going off even though I barely touched it” and Cy ultimately locking her bike to said Veo e-scooter. As of now, the renter of the e-scooter is unknown.

Addressing concerns about the eligibility of this parking spot, the Department of Transportation Services has gone on record to remind everyone that Veo vehicles don’t require a mandatory parking zone or cable lock to park, and that there are no regulations that restrict parking them on a rock climbing wall.

In response to the numerous complaints made about the congestion of these vehicles, UMD has recently installed 20 new bike parking spaces near ESJ. Nevertheless, with the seemingly indefinite accumulation of Veo rides throughout UMD, DOTS has recommended bringing them into other inconvenient places such as classrooms and lecture halls to alleviate the congestion for now.

Image Credits: Jordyn Cabellon