- Neuron completes successful first year in Canada, with significant rider uptake across cities
- Rider survey reveals e-scooter programs are helping to support local businesses, with 62% of rides resulting in purchases
- An impressive 46% of trips replaced a car journey, eliminating an estimated 90 tonnes of CO2 emissions since Neuron launched in Canada in May 2021
- Neuron has introduced several new innovations to Canada that will provide cities unprecedented control over how e-scooter programs are managed next year and beyond
OTTAWA, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Leading e-scooter operator, Neuron Mobility, is announcing the completion of a successful first riding season in Canada. The company’s year end trip data is showing exceptional program uptake with Neuron riders having travelled over 1.2 million kilometers across its cities nationally in 2021.
Neuron entered the Canadian market in May 2021, quickly becoming the country’s fastest growing e-scooter operator after securing competitive permits in four municipalities including Ottawa, Calgary, Red Deer and Vernon. Since its launch earlier this year, Neuron e-scooters have helped tens of thousands of locals and visitors get to where they need to be and explore these cities.
Zachary Wang, CEO of Neuron Mobility, said: “We’re thrilled to have reached over 1.2 million kilometres in Canada in only our first season. Our e-scooters are clearly making a positive impact when it comes to reducing congestion and emissions. The majority of trips result in a purchase which is providing a welcome boost to local economies. Overwhelmingly there’s been positive feedback about the service.”
Ankush Karwal, Regional Manager at Neuron Mobility, said: “As the year draws to a close we would like to thank our Canadian cities for their continued trust and support. It has been very rewarding to partner with municipalities to introduce new industry-leading technology and safety features that put them more in control of their e-scooter programs. We look forward to picking up where we left off next season.”
Growing micromobility industry in Canada
Over the last year, more Canadian cities have embraced micromobility, particularly shared e-scooter programs. Across the country e-scooter programs are being well-received for their positive environmental impacts in reducing car journeys, leading to a reduction in road congestion and carbon emissions. E-scooters are extending existing transportation networks, providing a safe, convenient and environmentally friendly alternative transport option for both commuting and recreational uses. Studies have also shown that e-scooters are helping boost local economies by driving more people to small businesses and tourism hubs.
Positive economic and environmental impacts
Neuron’s e-scooter rental programs are helping to support local businesses, making measurable contributions to local economic recovery efforts in the wake of the pandemic. According to Neuron’s recent rider surveys across its four cities, 80% of riders used Neuron e-scooters to visit local businesses and to explore cities, while 62% made a purchase from a local vendor during their most recent trip.
Dan Proulx, General Manager at Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s been extremely exciting to see how Vernon residents and visitors have embraced Neuron Mobility’s e-scooters to shop, commute or explore the community. We are excited to see Neuron’s plans roll out for 2022 and the increased benefits the e-scooter network will provide Vernon and the economy.”
Peter Kaz, Marketing Manager at Downtown Vernon Association, said: “We have seen the Neuron e-scooters being utilized throughout Downtown Vernon, since the program’s inception. Many of our businesses and services have enjoyed more traffic via these environmentally friendly forms of transportation. Exploring our area has become easier for a newer demographic.”
Reg Warkentin, Policy & Government Relations Manager, Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce, said: “The introduction of the e-scooter program in Red Deer has proven to be very beneficial for local businesses, with a clear increase in visitors to the downtown core and more purchases being made in the area. After a tough year and a half for businesses in our community, we are pleased to see signs of recovery – with Neuron e-scooters playing a role. We are looking forward to the next riding season!”
Neuron’s rider surveys also revealed that e-scooters are getting Canadians out of their cars in large numbers, supporting broader environmental and climate action plans across regions. Across Canadian cities, 46% of all Neuron trips replaced a car journey, leading to an estimated 90 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided.
Neuron’s global operations including Canada are certified carbon neutral, and the company has further demonstrated its commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040 by this year joining The Climate Pledge.
New transportation solution embraced by Canadian communities
The vast majority (88%) of riders believe e-scooters have had a positive impact on their community, and trip data demonstrates their widespread use with Neuron riders having clocked over 1.2 million kilometres throughout the 2021 riding season.
Across cities, shared e-scooter programs are providing a new impactful transportation solution, with 44% of Neuron riders across cities using e-scooters to commute to work, in addition to recreational uses. Throughout the season, Neuron also provided thousands of free passes to healthcare and frontline workers to help them get where they are needed most.
World leader in safety
Neuron is well-known for its focus on rider and pedestrian safety and many world-first innovations including Geofencing Control and its app-controlled Helmet Lock. The company’s e-scooters are fitted with a range of cutting-edge safety features. Other innovations include a Topple Detection feature that can detect if an e-scooter has been left on its side which then alerts operations teams to reposition it safely; a 911 emergency button which can detect if a rider has had a fall and helps the rider call the emergency services; Voice Guidance to educate and warn riders of how to ride safely; and a Follow My Ride function that allows riders to share their trip with friends and family in real time, for added safety and peace of mind.
In September, the safety-leading e-scooter operator announced a national partnership with the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) marking an important step forward to ensure shared e-scooter programs across the country are matched with rigorous user education. TIRF is collaborating with Neuron on campaigns and activities to promote rider safety in Canada. In October, Neuron launched the first national Helmet Safety Awareness Week to increase rider awareness of the importance of wearing a helmet. Throughout the 2021 riding season the Neuron team held numerous ScootSafe education events across cities, directly engaging with thousands of people on local riding rules and best practices for e-scooter riding.
2021 saw significant leaps in the company’s safety technology and innovations, in addition to the many world-firsts and industry-leading innovations Neuron brought to Canada from the outset. In August, Neuron launched a Warning Noise Trial in Ottawa, the first of its kind in Canada, to test the impact of an always-on sound on its e-scooters which alerts pedestrians, particularly those with vision loss, that an e-scooter is approaching. The company is working closely with the City of Ottawa and leading accessibility groups on completing this consultation and determining outcomes for the future.
Neuron’s commitment to technology leadership also saw the launch of a Global Tech Trial in Ottawa to test the company’s new ‘e-scooter brain’ innovation, that will provide Neuron and the cities managing shared e-scooter programs unprecedented control of how the vehicles are ridden and parked. The new technology will allow Neuron to detect and control sidewalk riding, provide high accuracy geofencing, and designate precise smart parking locations, among many other game-changing features. The trial is still ongoing, and selected features will be rolled out across Neuron’s fleet internationally over the next 12 months.
About Neuron Mobility
Neuron, Australia and New Zealand’s leading e-scooter operator, differentiates by being the best partner to cities while also leading the industry when it comes to safety and sustainable operations. Founded in Singapore in 2016, the company has introduced an impressive number of industry world firsts and pioneering innovations including e-scooter battery swapping, geofencing control and integrated helmets. Neuron operates in 14 locations in Australia and New Zealand including Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, Canberra, Townsville, Bundaberg, Auckland and Dunedin. The company also launched in the United Kingdom during 2020 and in South Korea in 2021. Neuron announced its arrival into the Canadian market in May 2021 and has since won licences to operate in Ottawa, Calgary, Red Deer and Vernon.
For more information, visit: https://www.rideneuron.com
Contacts
For Media Enquiries
Gwen McGuire, Neuron Mobility
gwen.mcguire@neuron.sg
