Neuron Mobility has released new research highlighting the economic benefits that rental e-scooters have on towns and cities in the UK. Quadrant Transport explores the findings of the report.
According to the findings from the newly launched Prosperity Report 2022 (UK), titled ‘Shared Rides, Shared Wealth’, each e-scooter contributes £11,500 to local economies a year. For the first time, the research goes deeper to determine that 50 per cent of riders of e-scooters spent more than £10 on their most recent trip, with an average of £17.30 per trip.
During their trips, riders have been found to have spent cumulatively £14.9 million a year across the three locations where Neuron operates in the UK. This includes Newcastle, Slough and Sunderland.
E-scooters Are Improving Air Quality And Congestion In Cities
Local governments have long recognised the cost of congestion and pollution, in January 2022, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, revealed that congestion in London costs the city’s economy £5.1 billion a year, or £1,211 per
driver, in wasted time spent in traffic.
E-scooter programmes are a way in which cities can become more sustainable, this was highlighted in a survey carried out in July 2022. Neuron explained that 97 per cent of those surveyed believe that Neuron has benefitted their city and also improved mobility, air quality, and congestion.
A total of 62 per cent of riders expressed that e-scooters for leisure and recreation, while 38 per cent made purposeful journeys like commuting to work or school, 29 per cent used the e-scooters to run errands such as shopping, and 19 per cent used them to get to appointments.
In addition to this, the report also considered how rental e-scooters have helped to support cities in becoming more liveable and attractive to inward investment.
Essential Transport Is Being Given To Those Who Need It
Neuron’s e-scooters offer night-time workers like doctors and nurses a reliable and convenient alternative to cars and taxis, especially in the few hours when public transportation services are not readily available.
They also help minimise disruption to the community during large-scale events like Northern Pride and the Great North Run by absorbing some of the extra demand for transportation.
Cormac Quinn, UK Regional Manager at Neuron Mobility, said: “The data shows our e-scooters are helping to boost local economies and revive the high street, which is certainly welcome, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, our work doesn’t stop there and we are committed to helping our towns and cities thrive in the long term.
“Neuron’s e-scooters have helped make cities more liveable too, providing much needed first and last mile transport options, enhancing local public transport networks and helping to keep cities running 24/7 by providing essential transport to those working night shifts.”
Local Staff Are Being Given Vital Experience In The Industry
Neuron has committed to providing long-term and future-proof employment opportunities for the communities it operates in, helping local staff to upskill and gain experience in the industry.
To help to educate, the operator has also rolled out the UK’s first e-scooter apprenticeship scheme. This will give local college students the opportunity to get a head start in the field of micro-mobility and gain valuable new skills to help them with their studies and future careers.
The report has highlighted that e-scooters are helping UK cities not only become more sustainable but more attractive and are helping transport become more convenient.