VeoRide - osu.RFP Proposal
VeoRide - osu.RFP Proposal
VeoRide - osu.RFP Proposal
Contact person:
Candice (Bowen) Xie
Co-Founder and VP Business Development of VeoRide Inc.
Phone: (765) 838-9861
Email: candice.xie@veoride.com
Address: 11 E Adams Street, #902, Chicago IL
1|Page
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................ 2
Section 1. Intent .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Cover Letter ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Overall Vision and Strategy for Program ................................................................................................ 4
Recent Similar Work ............................................................................................................................... 5
Section 2: Proposed Equipment ................................................................................................................. 7
Product Line Extensions ........................................................................................................................ 10
Fleet Customization .............................................................................................................................. 13
Functionality and Features of Software................................................................................................ 15
Section 3. Operations................................................................................................................................ 19
Implementation .................................................................................................................................... 19
Fare Structure ....................................................................................................................................... 19
Staffing Plan and Responsibilities ......................................................................................................... 19
Maintenance Protocol .......................................................................................................................... 22
Charging Protocol.................................................................................................................................. 22
Emergency Events ................................................................................................................................. 22
Customer Service .................................................................................................................................. 23
Lucky Rides & User Gamification .......................................................................................................... 23
Redistribution Protocol ......................................................................................................................... 24
Section 4. Parking...................................................................................................................................... 25
Technology Utilized to Manage Parking of Devices.............................................................................. 25
Additional Service Area ......................................................................................................................... 29
Section 5. ENGAGEMENT .......................................................................................................................... 31
Outreach and Engagement Program Panned for OSU ......................................................................... 31
Optional Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities ......................................................................... 33
System Integration ................................................................................................................................ 34
Section 6. DATA......................................................................................................................................... 34
Data Management and Reporting ........................................................................................................ 34
Data Dashboard Portal and Management Dashboard ......................................................................... 34
2|Page
Section 1. Intent
Cover Letter
On behalf of VeoRide, we would like to provide a Shared Motorized Scooter Program for the Oklahoma
State University. We propose to start the Shared Motorized Scooter Program January 14th, 2019, with
200 e-scooters at phase one, supported by a local VeoRide operations and maintenance team.
VeoRide is Chicago-based micro-mobility sharing company. The VeoRide team is comprised of mobility
experts, urban planners, business professionals, energetic operators, and engineers with experience
from a tech company, manufacturing industry, and the transportation sector. We strive to build
multimodal transportation platform to help each community to reduce cars on the street and promote
alternative modes of commuting. VeoRide designs, manufactures, and deploys our own scooters which
can easily adapt to the evolving ridership and transit patterns of each community.
Besides providing an e-scooter as requested in the RFP, VeoRide would like to offer our entire portfolio
of electric-assisted bicycles, pedal bikes, ADA compliant tricycles, fat-tire bikes, and recumbent
handcycles (each is totally optional). The bikes could be operated as one way transportation across the
OSU campus to broaden the use of micro-mobility, and augment the existing Orange Bike checkout
rental system. Our rational for considering this option is outline in the pages which follow.
VeoRide has extensive experience in partnering with universities to provide mobility share service to
college students, faculties, and staffs. VeoRide is currently operating micro-mobility share program in
more than 30 universities national-wide in the states of Illinois, Texas, Massachusetts, Kentucky,
Arkansas, California, New Hampshire, and Kansas etc. Today, we look forward to presenting our
innovative, convenient, and intuitive scooter share program to the Oklahoma State University through
revenue sharing and sponsorship sharing approach.
Sincerely,
3|Page
Overall Vision and Strategy for Program
VeoRide was founded as a micro mobility share company that provides a complete selection of fleet
types, including electric-scooters, electric-assisted bikes, pedals bikes, fat-tire bikes, cargo bikes and
ADA Compliance bikes, to share the joy of riding through our customer-centric mobility network. We
have worked tirelessly to make the VeoRide system incredibly robust and adaptable to the changing
needs of the community. We do this through the use of the highest quality fleets integrated with
exceptional technology that presents the rider with a simple, three-second, scan-unlock-go checkout
method, incorporation of ridership data to operate the system in a “smart” method, and development
of a portfolio of products to meet the ridership needs of the entire community now and in the future.
VeoRide works side-by-side with our partner community’s culture and unique characteristics to
implement comprehensive and adaptive shared mobility systems tailored to the local needs, with the
flexibility to focus strictly on one mode of transportation such as with the OSU RFP for scooters if
deemed appropriate by the local community to address their needs.
One of our biggest goals is to go above and beyond being a mobility share provider, and to integrate
with the local community to encourage healthy living by reducing traffic congestion, provide a more
pedestrian friendly locality, and sharing the simple joy of riding.
4|Page
Revenue Sharing and Sponsorship Sharing Plan
In addition to providing high quality products and a partnership approach for collaboration, VeoRide
will invest time and financial resources into helping build additional public spaces for sustainable
transportation. Aiming to achieve a minimum of 6 rides a day per scooter, VeoRide is committed to
investing 10 cents per ride and 10% sponsorship profit (outlined in Section 5) to support the
University’s efforts to expand the protected bike lane network and would look to be an effective
community partner for investments in public space.
VeoRide System Location Services in Number of Fleets (Pedal and e- Contract Type
place bikes)
5|Page
Contract
VeoRide is launching e-mobility share programs in these communities in the next six months:
• Texas A&M University/ College State, TX (2,500 fleet)
6|Page
• South Dakota State University/Brookings, SD (200 fleet)
• University of Massachusetts – Lowell, MA (200 fleet)
• Lowell, MA (500 fleet)
• Kent State University, OH (500 fleet)
• Kansas State University, KS (500 fleet)
• Oxford, AL (200 fleet)
• Anniston, AL (200 fleet)
• Jacksonville State University, AL (100 fleet)
• Western Kentucky University, KY (200 fleet)
Not like other competitors who purchase commercial use scooters from Xiaomi/Segway/Ninebot,
VeoRide designs and builds our scooter from the ground up for sharing use. It incorporates 10-inches
wheels, swappable batteries, a dual-suspension system, dual braking system and a smart lighting
system. Together these features, and VeoRide’s integrated app, focuses on addressing two key
challenges in the scooter industry: safety and parking.
Safety is enhanced by our larger scooter chassis which provides a more robust platform to enhance
stability and minimize reckless use. Examples are illustrated below:
7|Page
Figure – The VeoRide e-scooter SAFETY differentiators
Parking control is enhanced by VeoRide’s features to provide more feedback to the user of approved
and designated parking locations, and proper enforcement of no parking zones. Examples are below:
8|Page
Figure – The VeoRide e-scooter parking differentiators
9|Page
Figure – Integrated VeoRide Control Unit
10 | P a g e
Figure - The VeoRide Electric-assisted bike, Smart Commuter
Smart Commuter is our flagship Bike Share Program electric-assisted bicycle (E-bike) which is designed
for sweat-free pedaling, extreme durability, and the ultimate riding experience. The front-drive motor
can assist user to pedal up to 18 miles per hour. Its embedded torque sensor enables the system to
calculate how hard riders pedal so that the motor can output the exact power to assist the rider, such
as when going uphill. Equipped with a large capacity lithium battery, the motor can run up to 68 miles
on a single charge, and our operations team will swap the battery when it needs to be charged.
Without relying on setting up any physical charging stations on the street, it is a mobility share option
to augment the existing Orange Bike checkout program, and every user can access the bike using the
same VeoRide mobile App which works with the scooter.
11 | P a g e
Figure - The VeoRide Fat Tire bike – Rock Power
Rock Power is the first fat-tire bike which will be launched launch this spring. VeoRide is the only
company in US to introduce a community shared fat tire bike. We are happy to bring it to the City of
Oklahoma State University and share this exciting product with the community. Fat tire bikes can be a
great addition to the community especially for the outdoor trails and winter use.
ADA Compliant Bike VeoRide is committed to making the Mobility Share Program accessible to
everyone, including senior adults and people with disabilities. We are putting forth efforts into
researching and developing adaptable fleets for different people with diverse needs. VeoRide can
provide ADA accessible bikes for those with physical limitations and seamlessly integrate this
equipment into the broader shared mobility system. We can provide side-by-side, tricycle and
recumbent handcycles. Our deployment schedule for these types of bikes is shown below.
Table - VeoRide Offers E-scooters for All Riders Regardless of Physical Limitations
12 | P a g e
Recumbent This product is specially Spring 2020 As requested 200 VeoRide e-
Handcycle designed for people who have scooter to 1
a physical limitation in the VeoRide Handcycle
lower body.
Figure - VeoRide Offers Handcycles and Trikes for People with Physical Limitations
Fleet Customization
A successful E-scooter Share Program is aligned with the University’s values, which is explicitly
expressed by its branding color and logos. With the goal of becoming a stunning part of the
community, at no additional cost VeoRide provides fully-customized e-scooters (and bikes) for the
community to demonstrate its spirit and brand with VeoRide. We find the important benefit to
customize the colors to the local community is a higher degree of community ownership with the
system, and an improvement in the visual appeal of the fleet.
13 | P a g e
Figure - Pittsburg, KS (left) and VeoRide Standard pedal bike fleet in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Figure - Custom pedal bike fleet at Dekalb, IL (left) and Lawrence, KS (right)
14 | P a g e
Functionality and Features of Software
A standard user’s riding experience starts by downloading VeoRide’s mobile app from the Apple Store
or Google Play on their smartphones.
The user then registers their account with their phone
number and email address, adds their payment information,
and accepts the user agreement.
Once the user selects the “sign up” button in the app, they
will automatically sign the legal waiver, user agreement, and
terms of use. VeoRide can work with the City of Oklahoma
State University to integrate any legal waivers that the
community may require (see screenshot at left).
After registration, the App guides users through a simple
onboarding process explaining how to use the system and
how to park shared e-scooters properly.
15 | P a g e
Users can get access to our e-scooter share system with only three steps (see the in-app screenshots
below).
The user can then find e-scooter locations on the map interface. Before starting the first ride, the
Mobile App will guide users to enter their credit card information.
VeoRide accepts major credit cards, card cards, and cash payment to deposit funds into a User
account. Additionally, the system can accept promo codes from users.
All VeoRide credit and debit card transactions are processed through Stripe, a validated Level 1 PCI DSS
Compliant Service Provider that uses established data security and encryption methods.
VeoRide can also integrate student accounts into our payment system. Students can link their student
account to their VeoRide account and add credits to their riding balance. VeoRide will be happy to
work with Oklahoma State University’s IT department to access the school’s API in order to integrate
the system.
Please see below example screenshots showing how the user can reserve a e-scooter, hold a e-scooter,
retrieve a summary of their ride, report any issues, and check their in-App message inbox.
16 | P a g e
Figure - Functions within the Mobile Application
VeoRide is launching a branding new feature called “Group Ride”. This feature will allow a user to
unlock multiple e-scooters (up to three e-scooters) with one account, which improve convenience for
families, friends, and visitors to ride together. All the rides will be billed to the same credit card
associated with the account. VeoRide team is constantly updating our software to bring easier and
more convenient experience to our riders.
17 | P a g e
VeoRide users can also easily report
any damage or issues with the e-
scooters, as seen in the screenshots at
the left.
18 | P a g e
Section 3. Operations
Implementation
VeoRide looks forward to working with Oklahoma State University to implement the initial installation
of 200 e-scooters. The number of e-scooters is totally negotiable, and we are open to further
discussion with the selection committee. Our planning team has developed a phased implementation
plan to increase the size of the system according to the usage and demand.
Table – Recommended E-scooter Quantities
Fare Structure
Pricing for E-scooters, and the optional ebikes, is $1 to unlock and then $0.15 per minute, so if a user
uses an E-scooter for 10 minutes the cost would be $2.50. There is no deposit needed for riders to use
the E-scooter Share Program.
We also offer a discounted rate for the low-income community.
• Unlock fee $0.50
• Per min fee $0.05
If an individual who qualified for low-income ride a VeoRide scooter for 10 mins, it will only cost them
$1.00.
New User Promotion: VeoRide will provide two free rides to all new registered users.
20 | P a g e
Key Staff for Oklahoma State University E-scooter Share Program
21 | P a g e
Maintenance Protocol
Preventative maintenance involves performing equipment inspections according to the E-scooter
Inspection Checklist and includes a set of minor tasks that are performed regularly on e-scooters that
are otherwise in rideable conditions.
In the case that e-scooter is reported damaged or in unfit riding condition, the e-scooter will be picked
up and replaced with a fully functioning e-scooter within two hours. For off-site maintenance, our
operation patrol team picks up damaged e-scooters and sends them to our partner e-scooter shops.
Once the damaged e-scooters are fully repaired, we re-distribute them once they have passed our
detailed inspections. To ensure our e-scooters always provide the best riding experience, our
maintenance service also offers the following benefits:
1. Comprehensive 12-point maintenance checks monthly for every e-scooter.
2. Immediate remote disabling of damaged e-scooters and label for maintenance.
3. Provide simple online user manuals so cyclists can tune and adjust the e-scooters as they need.
4. Daily visual inspection of our e-scooters.
5. Document each e-scooter’s maintenance history and analyze product service data in our
system.
Charging Protocol
In order to build a safer campus and avoid potential safety issues, we do not rely on students or other
uncertified contract workers to charge our vehicles in dormitories or apartments. All of chargers will be
hired and trained by the VeoRide team and conduct charging activity at a VeoRide facility. We have our
own rebalancing vehicles and build our charging infrastructure. Our backend software will monitor the
battery level of each scooter closely. All the low battery scooters will be collected before 10pm on each
day and re-deployed to the street by 7am in the next day.
Emergency Events
VeoRide’s equipment is designed to withstand emergency events. Since the locking and
communications technology are located on the e-scooter itself, VeoRide can easily locate and quickly
remove e-scooters. Given sufficient time, VeoRide’s operations team will bring as much of the fleet as
possible to safer locations either to the warehouse or higher ground. VeoRide can customize our
Standard Operations Procedure and Emergency Preparedness Plan with local stakeholders to make
sure all local concerns are addressed.
In Case of Weather Events:
• Before the storm, VeoRide staff will move e-scooters and send notifications to users through in-
App messaging and text messages
22 | P a g e
• We can shut down the whole fleet temporarily to prevent customers from riding the e-scooters
in a storm
• Monitor e-scooter placement, and VeoRide will remove e-scooters from the roadsides
Customer Service
VeoRide provides a dedicated toll-free phone line, email address and in-App reporting system for 24/7
service supporting our riders and the local community. Riders can find contact information in the app
or on the e-scooter. Customer Service is currently available in English and will also be available in
Spanish in the Spring of 2019.
Urgent matters will be addressed by local operations team within one hour between 8:00 AM and 8:00
PM (CST) every day, except for State and Federal holidays. Best efforts will be made after 8 PM with all
issues addressed the following day. Oklahoma State University will have access to the personal phone
numbers of the leadership team and the local team. We will happily work with the City of Oklahoma
State University to maintain and improve responsiveness to parking and safety issues.
VeoRide is also able to directly communicate and follow up with riders in their in-app mailbox. The
message can be sent to an individual, a group of people, or the entire network. This push notification
feature can also be used to send messages from the University that are provided to VeoRide.
23 | P a g e
The Lucky Ride feature can also be programmed as another way to incentivize people to ride idle e-
scooters. If a e-scooter were marked as “Lucky Ride (Idle)”, the ride will be free to a user who unlocks
and rides it for less than 30 minutes.
Redistribution Protocol
Based on our previous operating experience, VeoRide proposes using the redistribution protocol for
Oklahoma State University as listed below:
Table - Our E-scooter Re-Balance System Ensures Consistent Availability of E-scooters
VeoRide operations team will re-balance e-scooter fleets once or twice a day depending on the e-
scooter distribution. Based on our studies the number of e-scooters that will need to be redistributed
daily is approximately 40% of the system size.
Within the app riders have the option of reporting misplaced e-scooters. After they submit the report,
the geo-location of the e-scooter will be sent to our operations team to re-park the e-scooter properly.
Once verified, riders who submit the report can receive coupons as a reward. In the meantime, the
system will automatically track the last riders and link it to our internal parking credit system. Riders
with low parking credits will be temporarily suspended, or can be banned entirely.
24 | P a g e
Daily Operations Protocol by Local Staff
Below is a sample Daily Operations Protocol to be followed by local staff to keep e-scooters balanced
throughout the day:
Section 4. Parking
Technology Utilized to Manage Parking of Devices
Geo-Fencing Capabilities
VeoRide is one of the earliest adopters of geo-fencing technology in the micro-mobility industry. It
enables our system to control the e-scooter fleet within a defined service boundary with GPS accuracy
within 5 feet. A user can even pick up a e-scooter and ride it wherever they want outside the boundary,
they just have to bring it back to the service area to lock the e-scooter and end their trip until they
bring it back to the service area. If the users insist on dropping the e-scooter outside the geo-fenced
boundary, the e-scooter collecting fee will be applied to discourage them continuing to do so in the
future.
25 | P a g e
Figure - Example of Geo-fenced Area for Oklahoma State University
Virtual Stations
If a community would like to further control the e-scooter fleet without having a free-floating model,
we have developed a technology to offer the option to set up such virtual stations coupled with
installing physical parking infrastructure, which means the users have to return the e-scooters to
certain locations in order to end their trip. These virtual stations could be set up at existing e-scooter
racks to encourage users to park the e-scooters at the e-scooter racks. The overall accuracy for creating
virtual stations would be 3 to 5 feet.
Besides setting up the virtual stations, we would also place clear signage or add additional e-scooter
racks at these locations, all at no cost to Oklahoma State University.
26 | P a g e
1. Create additional e-scooter parking spots in popular drop-off locations
2. Save parking space for the existing bike parking racks
3. Promote and educate users to park their e-scooters responsibly
4. Make it easier for users to find and pick-up e-scooters
Of course, Geo-fenced areas and Virtual Stations only work if users know about them! At VeoRide, we
want to make sure that e-scooters hare users are educated about VeoRide rules and policies before
they use a e-scooter. In addition to signage at parking racks (see example below), several of the in-app
notifications that we use include:
• When the user signs up, there will be a pop-up window showing the proper way to park a e-
scooter
• When the user parks their e-scooters in a “No Parking” zone, VeoRide sends the user an in-app
notification to remind them to park elsewhere
• When a user parks their e-scooter outside of a Virtual Station, they will receive an in-app
notification reminding them to park within a Virtual Station
VeoRide also offers two options to install a designated physical e-scooter parking zone:
1. Option 1: Removable painted designated parking locations
2. Option 2: Standard e-scooter racks with clear e-scooter parking signage
Both of these two parking approaches are very modular and flexible to install. We can work with
Oklahoma State University to ensure the product compliance with local guidelines.
27 | P a g e
Figure - Examples of designated painted area and e-scooter racks for shared e-scooters parking
28 | P a g e
Figure - Screenshot of our management system indicating the e-scooters that need to be re-parked
29 | P a g e
Figure - Example of Service Map for Oklahoma State University and City of Stillwater
30 | P a g e
Section 5. ENGAGEMENT
Outreach and Engagement Program Panned for OSU
Beyond just bringing an E-scooter Share Program to Oklahoma State University, VeoRide shoulders the
responsibility to educate our customers and bring more people to the mobility sharing world. We
would like to collaborate with the University with a variety of activities to promote the e-scooter share
program and increase visibility of the community’s progressive culture. Below are the proactive
measures that VeoRide will take to make sure that the community is engaged with the e-scooter share
program.
Introductory and Special Offers
• Riding Promotion: In order to encourage more members to use the service, new users can
get five free rides when they register, and users can get three free coupons every time they
refer a friend to sign up for a VeoRide account. The referees can also get three free coupons
when using a reference promotion code from existing users.
• Helmet program: VeoRide will distribute VeoRide-branded helmets to users during
promotional events and group rides to promote e-scooter safety. The e-scooter can also
contain signage agreed upon by OSU to direct users to use a helmet.
• Healthy-Life Incentive Plan: Riding VeoRide and earning credits to lower employees and
employers’ health care insurance cost. For example, VeoRide is working with the Kansas
Department of Health to utilize VeoRide’s ride tracking technology to help employees track
their fitness data so to earn points for the Health Quest Rewards Program.
Hosting Events
• Community Events: VeoRide sponsors local events and activities to get more people to learn
about the E-scooter Share Program.
• On-site Promotion: Setting up a promotional booth at community festivals and campus events
demonstrates how to use the system and hand out free riding coupons to attract people to try
VeoRide.
• Community Rides: VeoRide will host a community group ride once a month to introduce people
to scootering, teach e-scooter safety, and promote the e-scooter culture of the area.
31 | P a g e
Figure - Example of a VeoRide Partnership Flyer
32 | P a g e
Figure - VeoRide e-scooters and bikes are a fun way to explore the community
33 | P a g e
System Integration
After the VeoRide e-scooter share program is introduced to Oklahoma State University, we would like
to explore different opportunities to integrate our service with existing platforms and other local
transit system, such as:
• Integration with Bus Shuttle Service
Example: VeoRide App can integrate with OSU bus shuttle tracker to provide seamless
experience of public transit
• Integration with existing car share program
Example: Users can find available OSU-Zipcar shared fleet on VeoRide App.
• Integration with OSU student accounts
Example: VeoRide can provide a single sign-on portal to OSU students so they can log into
VeoRide app using their student accounts.
The higher goal for VeoRide is to support Oklahoma State University by improving the public transit
experience. We have dedicated engineering resources to support that mission. Scooter sharing system
is a crucial part of solving the last mile of transportation. We are willing to work with the community to
further develop a seamless and adaptable public transit network.
Section 6. DATA
Data Management and Reporting
Our goal is to seamlessly integrate the E-scooter Share Program into the Oklahoma State University. By
ensuring the best quality of service, and helping our community partner to identify opportunities to
improve infrastructure, VeoRide is willing to work with OSU to build reports including other data that
OSU would like to capture, and provide data in General E-scooter Share Feed Specification (GBFS)
format.
34 | P a g e
Figure - The VeoRide Data Dashboard Portal Reports
35 | P a g e
Figure - VeoRide Data Dashboard Portal Heat Map
36 | P a g e
Management Dashboard for VeoRide Backend
Real-time view and e-scooter distribution management Manage user profiles, account balance, ride
along with status, and locations history, and direct communications
Operators can create, track, manage and resolve Real-time tracking of ridership, number of
maintenance and customer issues users, e-scooters, and activities
37 | P a g e