Since launching just over one month ago, Neuron Mobility e-scooter riders have notched up almost 50,000 trips.
The average e-scooter journey is 3.8km, with trips along the Bargara Esplanade proving to be the most popular route and Bundaberg Central being another hot spot for riders to start and end their rides.
Neuron Mobility Regional Manager Jayden Bryant said Neuron had “overwhelmingly” positive feedback from riders about the service.
“Many people are making trips they wouldn’t otherwise have made, and it is great to see e-scooters benefit local businesses and the community as a whole,” Mr Bryant said.
“They are a great way for locals as well as tourists to travel in a safe, convenient and fun way and we are already being told they are reducing short car journeys and are having a positive impact on the city.
“We thank Bundaberg Regional Council for their continued trust and support and look forward to working closely with them, and other important stakeholders, to make the service even better over time.”
Bundaberg Regional Council Sport and Recreation portfolio spokesperson Cr Vince Habermann said the introduction of Neuron e-scooters had provided a boost for the region.
“The excitement surrounding the launch of the e-scooters has provided a lift in community spirits, and by creating 25 new jobs has also offered an economic boost,” Cr Habermann said.
“E-scooters offer another healthy recreational activity for residents and visitors to enjoy and provide an affordable and readily available form of transport.
“I believe we are very fortunate to be the first regional city where Neuron e-scooters have been rolled out.”
Cr Habermann said he was certain that if users obeyed the rules and adhered to the advice of police and Neuron that the 12-month trial would prove to be successful.
Neuron is continually focusing on improving safety for both riders and the public.
In the short time that the e-scooters have been in Bundaberg, Neuron has held five ScootSafe events and conducted hundreds of safety briefings.
Neuron said it waso continually refining its operations and geofencing, in line with the needs of the community.
Recent changes have been made to Neuron’s geofencing to include the introduction of a slow speed zone in the areas surrounding Bourbong Street, which Neuron said would improve the effectiveness of the no-riding zone currently in place on Bourbong Street.
The Neuron e-scooters are fitted with a range of cutting-edge safety features.
These include an app-controlled helmet lock that secures a safety helmet to the e-scooters between trips; and a topple detection feature that can detect if an e-bike has been left on its side which then alerts an operations team to reposition it safely.
Other innovations include a 000 emergency button which can tell if someone 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.
Other stories: Thousands try e-scooters in first week
Cutting edge safe features in scooters hasn’t prevented a near miss from a speeding scooter hirer next to our local library as experienced by me and witnessed by two others. Other hirers are often seen riding night and day at speed on busy roads with no helmets and are also used by under aged riders. Laws are not being enforced. NOT suitable for pedestrian areas yet that is where they mostly ride these machines. Who pays for injury costs to pedestrians? Lawyers will soon have a field day with law suits. That’s if it’s not a hit and run accident.