A scooter left across the sidewalk might seem like a minor inconvenience. But for someone using a wheelchair trying to reach a bus stop, it can mean missing their ride. For a blind pedestrian, it can disrupt a familiar route. And for someone who can’t stand for long periods, a system made up only of standing scooters offers no real way to get around.
These are everyday experiences for many people with disabilities face that reflect a long history of excluding their voices from planning decisions.
At Veo, we’ve been asking a big question: What would it take to build shared micromobility that actually works for people with disabilities, nondrivers, and others who are often left out of traditional transportation planning? To begin answering that, we partnered with the Washington-based Disability Mobility Initiative to hold a series of focus groups with disability advocates.
Their feedback was clear and direct. People with disabilities are navigating blocked sidewalks, vehicles that don’t meet their needs, and systems that actively limit their access. And when the voices of people with disabilities aren’t included, even well-intentioned programs can end up reinforcing the very barriers these programs aim to remove.
This month, we released Shared Micromobility for All, a report that outlines what we heard from the focus groups, including five key areas where cities and micromobility companies can take meaningful action to improve access.
Key Recommendations
Clear sidewalks of micromobility vehicles through on-street (off-sidewalk) parking corrals, protected bike lanes that make riders feel safer traveling in the street, parking enforcement technology, program regulations, and ongoing rider education. Advance fallen vehicle detection technology so that operators—not people with disabilities—bear primary responsibility for keeping sidewalks clear and fleets properly parked. Increase vehicle access for people with disabilities by prioritizing seated, throttle-assisted, and other accessible vehicle models in shared micromobility fleets. Expand micromobility access through targeted community outreach, vehicle reservation systems, and discounted ride programs for people with disabilities. Engage the disability community in workforce development by creating roles in remote dispatching, fleet monitoring, and other system-support functions that help shape more inclusive operations.
Read the full report (PDF).
What Veo is Doing Next
Veo is investing in real changes—from expanding accessible vehicle types and advocating for better micromobility infrastructure, to piloting fallen vehicle detection technology and conducting national outreach to inform inclusive vehicle design. But accessibility can’t be delivered by one operator alone. It will take collective action from cities, regulators, and the micromobility industry to build the infrastructure, policies, and standards these solutions require. We’re committed to doing our part and to pushing the conversation forward until accessibility is treated as a cornerstone of every shared mobility system.
This work is ongoing, and it doesn’t stop with a report. We’re continuing to listen, learn, and partner with disability advocates to turn these recommendations into real-world action.
Have feedback or want to get involved? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to our team at communications [at] veoride.com.