San Marcos’ partnership with bike-share company VeoRide has reduced gas emissions by up to two million grams across the 6,000 miles tracked on the gold-tinted bikes, according to VeoRide communications director Linda Jackson.
In recent years, city and university officials have added bike lanes and parking to support alternative modes of transportation and manage traffic congestion in the cluttered downtown area. San Marcos joined the dockless pay-to-ride trend in Sept. 2018 as VeoRide bikes sprouted throughout the city.
“With more than 6,700 total users having taken 28,000 plus rides as of (Feb. 19), we are very excited with how (San Marcos) and (Texas State) has adopted our program,” Jackson said. “Our users are using our service as a transportation alternative, either as that last-mile option from a commuter parking lot or mass transportation hub to their final destination or for quick errands to the grocery store or around town. This is exactly how VeoRide is designed to help a community.”
VeoRide operates bike-share programs in several states across the nation, and VeoRide bikes have been ridden over 75,000 miles, leading to around 30,000 kilograms of emissions reduced, according to Texas VeoRide general manager Matt Briggs.
“Our potential to take (San Marcos and Texas State) eco-friendly was part of the reason they decided to go with us,” Briggs said. “There wasn’t any specific target set though given how new the industry is.”
VeoRide bikes are designed to prevent overall environmental waste, according to Jackson. VeoRide uses water-based painting technology to minimize environmental impact during the coating and painting process of the bikes.
“Our bike frame and components are 95 percent reclaimable after the end of life,” Jackson said. “We also use electric commercial vehicles for daily operations to reduce our carbon footprint, and the GPS and locking mechanism on our pedal bikes are solar powered.
Psychology freshman Felix Garcia said he often rides the VeoRide bikes around campus and San Marcos to avoid driving cars.
“The bikes help me get to and from work easily and cost-effectively,” Garcia said. “Even though they’re not exactly made to go up the hills at Texas State and in San Marcos, their convenience is unmatchable, and I like helping the environment in any way I can.”
VeoRide is here to help the San Marcos and Texas State community. Jackson said the company appreciates being alerted of any concerns with the VeoRide bikes. All issues can be reported via email to [email protected] or by calling VeoRide’s customer service line at 1-855-VEO-2256. Concerns may also be reported through the VeoRide app.