The company asked to have its presentation removed from the agenda but that didn’t stop village trustees from discussing the issue.
Trustee Andy Gherna works on the University of Illinois Campus and sees
Gherna said he wasn’t a fan.
“The way people treat the bikes when they are done with them—I don’t like,” he said. “It’s not worth it to deal with the mess.”
Currently, there are around 500 of the turquoise bikes, which is a
It was recently decided that the program would be renewed for another year in Champaign-Urbana and the number of bikes may be increased.
More than 165,000 people have taken rides on the rentable bikes.
The bikes are tracked with GPS and locked when not in use. The users unlock the bikes with a phone app.
Riders pay for the bike through the app and are charged 50 cents for 15 minutes. They are also instructed on how to properly park the bikes when finished.
Some of the biggest complaints with the program come from bike users leaving the bikes wherever they want— concern village trustees shared.
“They are like that all over,” said Trustee Roy McCarty. “I am against it.”
McCarty said he routinely goes into Champaign-Urbana and sees bikes in people’s yards and in the middle of sidewalks.
“I wouldn’t like it,” he said.
Gherna agreed.
“The same bikes are in the same spots on campus for weeks on end,” he said. “In theory, it is a great idea but in practice, it is done horribly and they are all over the place.”
The company said the bikes can be moved even when they are locked so if one is in a yard or on business property it can be moved to a different location.
If bikes are left and a property owner wants them picked up they can call 855-VEO-2256 or email hello@veoride.com.
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