Santa Monica Travel & Tourism Partners with VEO on Helmet Distribution and Donations
Santa Monica, Calif. (February 6, 2023) – Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) announces its partnership with Santa Monica-based, micro-mobility company Veo to distribute free helmets to riders in the City. The collaboration doesn’t end there, additionally, the helmets returned to any of the Visitor Information Centers will be donated to Santa Monica Spoke for a future community project. Helmets are one size fits most and in Santa Monica, you must be 18 years or older to rent a Veo e-bike or scooter.
“Safety remains a top priority in Santa Monica which makes this partnership with Veo so important to us,” said Misti Kerns, President and CEO of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. “Historically, over 80% of overnight visitors to our community never use a car once they arrive in Santa Monica, demonstrating the walkability of the area. Additionally, the 19 miles of green bike lanes throughout the City support active mobility and we’re confident this collaboration is going to further encourage travelers and our residents to safely use alternative transportation and that’s a win for everyone.”
Headquartered in Santa Monica, Veo has been permitted to operate shared scooters and e-bikes in Santa Monica since July 2021 as part of the City’s shared scooter and bike pilot program. Its mission is to end car dependency by making clean transportation accessible to all.
“Whether you’re headed to the beach or going to dinner downtown, hopping on a shared scooter or bike is one of the best ways to explore all that Santa Monica has to offer,” said Candice Xie, Veo co-founder and CEO. “Veo always encourages our riders to wear a helmet, but we also know it’s not the first thing many visitors pack in their luggage. This unique partnership will make it easier for anyone to grab a free helmet on the go. We thank SMTT for partnering with us to support a safe and sustainable travel experience for visitors.”
Ready to go on a ride? Here’s how it works: Simply locate a ride using the VeoRide app, scan the QR code and pay $1 to unlock the vehicle. Riders then pay a per-minute rate for the duration of their trip. Veo offers a discounted pricing option for riders with low incomes through the Veo Access Program.
Aligned with SMTT and Veo’s efforts, Santa Monica Spoke is a 501(c)3 dedicated to improving walking, biking and active transportation in the City of Santa Monica. Its mission is to make Santa Monica more sustainable by promoting fewer single car trips and highlighting the benefits of biking, public transit and shared mobility options.
“Santa Monica Spoke is excited to partner with Veo & SMTT on redistributing lightly used helmets for free in our community,” said Cynthia Rose, Director of Santa Monica Spoke. “We support the use of helmets to keep people safer when they ride bikes and scooters.”
Helmets can be picked up and dropped off at the following Visitor Information Center locations:
● 2427 Main Street
● 200 Santa Monica Pier (Looff Hippodrome)
● 1400 Ocean Avenue
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About Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT), formerly Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau, is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination. For travel and accommodation information or a free copy of the official Visitors Guide, the public can write to the Santa Monica Visitor Center, 2427 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405; call (800) 544-5319 or (310) 393-7593; visit www.santamonica.com; or email info@santamonica.com. Follow SMTT on Instagram (@SeeSantaMonica), Twitter (@GoSantaMonica) or Facebook (@VisitSantaMonica).
About Veo
Veo is on a mission to end car dependency by making clean transportation accessible to all. We have provided millions of shared bike and scooter rides in 50+ cities and universities across North America and counting. Veo operates from a set of values that distinguish us in the industry. We are grounded in financial responsibility: Veo partnered with select cities to achieve profitability before scaling. Our in-house design and manufacturing process enables us to constantly innovate and provide cities with the next generation of shared electric bikes and scooters. We develop collaborative, long-term partnerships with cities and universities so we can work together toward a sustainable, safe, and equitable transportation future. Learn more at www.veoride.com
