Grand Rapids Replaces Lime With Veo, Radar Coming to At Least Half of Fleet

Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by Kristina

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – September 2, 2026: Grand Rapids has begun rolling out a new fleet of Veo e-bikes, scooters, and other shared micromobility vehicles after choosing Veo to replace Lime under a three-year city contract.

The change officially began September 1. For riders trying to understand where e-bikes can legally be used in the city, my Michigan E-Bike Laws guide explains the statewide rules and Grand Rapids-specific sidewalk restrictions.

The new fleet is about more than changing brands. Grand Rapids says Veo was selected partly because of new safety technology, lower rider pricing, more seated vehicle options, and stricter parking controls. Riders who also use shared electric scooters can compare the broader rules in my Electric Scooter Laws by State guide.

You can also follow the latest Electric Bike News coverage as cities continue experimenting with e-bikes, scooters, geofencing, radar, and other technology intended to manage shared micromobility.

Current Status: Veo Service Launched September 1

The Grand Rapids City Commission voted August 25 to select Veo as the city’s new sole shared micromobility vendor.

The three-year agreement runs from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2029, at no direct cost to the city.

Veo service began September 1. WGVU reported that Lime vehicles will continue operating in limited numbers through September while the city transitions between providers.

That means riders may temporarily see both brands even though Veo is taking over the city’s shared micromobility program.

Why Grand Rapids Chose Veo

Mobile GR began looking for a new provider in March 2026 through a competitive request-for-proposals process.

Both Lime and Veo applied. According to the city, a review panel scored the proposals, interviewed the companies, tested vehicles, and selected Veo after it received the highest scores during each stage.

Grand Rapids highlighted four major reasons for the decision:

• Safety technology
• Lower prices and affordability programs
• A more varied and accessible vehicle fleet
• Technology intended to improve parking compliance

For e-bike riders, the most interesting part may be the city’s plan to introduce forward-facing radar on a significant portion of the fleet.

Radar Is Coming to At Least Half of the Veo Fleet

Grand Rapids says that within the first year of the contract, at least 50% of Veo’s fleet will be equipped with forward-facing radar.

The radar scans approximately 20 feet ahead of the vehicle.

During an August 11 City Commission presentation, Mobile GR officials explained that the system can detect objects in front of the rider and trigger responses such as slowing the vehicle, cutting power, or issuing an audible warning.

The city also says the technology can help detect and discourage sidewalk riding.

One important privacy detail is that city officials described the system as object-detection radar, not a camera. During the presentation, officials said it does not capture or store images.

Not every Veo vehicle will have the technology immediately. The contract calls for radar to be installed on at least half of the fleet by the end of the first year.

Why Sidewalk Riding Is a Particular Issue in Grand Rapids

GRPD says e-bikes and motorized scooters may operate on roadways and in bike lanes and may operate on sidewalks only outside the Downtown Improvement District.

Inside the Downtown Improvement District, e-bikes and motorized scooters are not allowed on sidewalks.

Parking is a separate issue. Veo riders must end trips in designated parking zones and keep parked vehicles outside the pedestrian right of way, including sidewalks and accessible curb ramps.

The city’s current instructions also tell riders to follow traffic signals, ride with traffic, use bike lanes when available, and yield appropriately to pedestrians.

The radar system will not replace rider responsibility, but the city hopes technology can provide another way to reduce unsafe sidewalk riding and conflicts with pedestrians.

What Kind of E-Bikes and Scooters Will Veo Offer?

Veo is bringing more than one type of vehicle to Grand Rapids.

The city’s current fleet information highlights several models.

Veo Apollo E-Bike

The Apollo is a throttle-assisted electric bike designed to help riders carry cargo.

That could make it more useful for errands and short transportation trips than a basic shared bicycle.

Veo Cosmo

The Cosmo is a seated electric scooter with large tires, a thumb throttle, and a low center of gravity.

The seated design may appeal to riders who are uncomfortable standing on a conventional rental scooter.

Veo Rover

The Rover is a self-balancing three-wheeled vehicle designed for riders who want additional stability.

Grand Rapids also says Veo offers free adaptive attachments for some manual wheelchairs.

The emphasis on seated and more stable vehicles is one of the reasons the city says Veo scored well during the selection process.

How Much Do Veo Rides Cost in Grand Rapids?

The standard Veo price is:

• $1 to unlock
• $0.33 per minute

That is slightly lower than Lime’s previous $0.36-per-minute rate while keeping the same $1 unlock fee.

Grand Rapids says the standard rate will remain fixed for the entire three-year contract.

The city and Veo are also offering several membership and affordability programs.

Veo Access

Qualifying riders can pay $5 per month.

The program includes up to 30 minutes of free riding each day and 50% off additional riding.

The city says additional price reductions may also apply to some trips beginning or ending in designated equity areas.

Other Membership Options

Veo also offers plans aimed at frequent riders and commuters, including options that eliminate unlock fees or include daily ride allowances.

The exact value will depend heavily on how often someone uses the service.

For an occasional rider, standard pay-as-you-go pricing may make more sense. A regular commuter may benefit more from one of the membership plans.

Veo Is Also Offering Free Helmets

WGVU reported on September 1 that Veo will provide riders with a free helmet as part of the Grand Rapids rollout.

The city’s current guidance recommends helmets for all riders, along with visible clothing and front and rear lighting when riding after dark or in low-light conditions.

Riders Must Be at Least 18

Grand Rapids’ current Veo instructions state that riders must be at least 18 years old to use the city’s shared vehicles.

That requirement applies to the rental program and should not be confused with Michigan’s general age rules for privately owned e-bikes.

The Veo app is the primary way riders locate and unlock vehicles.

People without a smartphone can contact Veo customer service to register for non-smartphone access options.

Parking Rules Are Getting More Technology Too

Grand Rapids is also trying to reduce one of the most common complaints about shared scooters and e-bikes – vehicles being left across sidewalks or other pedestrian areas.

Riders are required to end trips in designated parking zones.

The current city instructions require riders to submit a photo showing that the vehicle was parked correctly and did not block the sidewalk or an accessible curb ramp.

The city also announced plans to use Near Field Communication, or NFC, Tap-to-End-Trip pads at designated parking-zone signposts.

That system is intended to give the city and Veo more precise confirmation that a shared vehicle was actually returned to an approved parking location rather than left nearby.

Veo Vehicles Are Geofenced

Grand Rapids’ shared-micromobility program operates inside a defined service area covering approximately 12 square miles.

The city says that represents about 27% of Grand Rapids’ land area and covers 74% of its designated Neighborhoods of Focus.

Veo vehicles are geofenced.

If a rider takes a shared vehicle outside the authorized service area, the city says the device will automatically power down.

Geofencing can also be used to control where shared vehicles can operate and where trips may begin or end.

Grand Rapids Has Logged More Than 1.8 Million Shared-Mobility Trips

Shared micromobility is no longer a small experiment in Grand Rapids.

The city’s program began as a pilot in 2020 and became a longer-term program in 2022.

According to the City of Grand Rapids, more than 400,000 unique riders have taken over 1.8 million shared-micromobility trips since 2020.

That level of use helps explain why the city put so much emphasis on safety, pricing, accessibility, and parking when selecting its next provider.

The decision affects not only recreational riders but also commuters and residents who use shared vehicles for short trips that might otherwise require a car, rideshare trip, transit connection, or longer walk.

What Happens to Lime?

Veo is replacing Lime under the new city contract, but the change will not happen overnight.

WGVU reported September 1 that Lime vehicles will remain available in limited numbers during September while Veo ramps up operations.

Riders should therefore expect a transition period before Lime disappears completely from the local shared fleet.

Grand Rapids’ current micromobility page now identifies Veo as the city’s exclusive shared micromobility provider.

What Riders Should Know Before Using Veo

If you plan to use one of the new vehicles, the practical rules are fairly simple:

• You must be at least 18 to use the city’s shared Veo fleet.
• Follow normal traffic signs and signals.
• Use roadways and bike lanes where appropriate.
• E-bikes and motorized scooters may use sidewalks only outside the Downtown Improvement District.
• End trips only in approved parking zones.
• Keep parked vehicles clear of sidewalks and accessible ramps.
• Watch the app and city guidance for geofenced or restricted areas.
• Wear a helmet even where one is not legally required.

The radar and geofencing technology may help manage some unsafe behavior, but they do not replace careful riding or responsibility for following local rules.

📰 How This Story Was Verified

This report is based on available official documents, agency statements, meeting records, court filings, or other primary sources, with reliable reporting used for additional context. I clearly distinguish proposals from rules that have been finally approved or taken effect.

For this story, I reviewed the City of Grand Rapids’ August 25 vendor announcement, Mobile GR’s current shared-micromobility guidance, the August 11 City Commission discussion of Veo’s radar technology, Grand Rapids Police guidance on local e-bike and scooter rules, and September 1 reporting from WGVU confirming the rollout and Lime transition.

My Take

What stands out to me is that Grand Rapids did not simply choose another company offering a fleet of scooters.

The city appears to be trying to address several of the biggest complaints surrounding shared micromobility at the same time – sidewalk riding, improperly parked vehicles, affordability, accessibility, and whether the vehicles work for riders who are uncomfortable balancing on a conventional standing scooter.

The forward-facing radar is the feature I will be most interested in watching.

Scanning 20 feet ahead and being able to slow a vehicle, cut power, or issue a warning sounds useful, but the real test will be whether it meaningfully reduces crashes and sidewalk conflicts once enough real-world trips have been recorded.

I also like that the fleet includes a throttle-assisted e-bike and more seated options rather than treating standing scooters as the answer for every rider.

The technology is promising, but Grand Rapids should eventually have enough usage data to show whether it actually delivers the safety improvements city officials expect.

Sources

• City of Grand Rapids – City of Grand Rapids Selects Veo as New Micromobility Vendor, August 25, 2026
• City of Grand Rapids / Mobile GR – Shared Micromobility Program
• Grand Rapids City Commission – August 11, 2026 Committee of the Whole Meeting
• Grand Rapids Police – Rules for Low-Speed Vehicles, E-Bikes, and Scooters, July 9, 2026
• WGVU News – Lower Rates and Free Helmets: Veo Takes Over Grand Rapids Micromobility Contract, September 1, 2026