Newcastle e-scooter scheme reaches one million miles travelled

The shared e-scooter scheme in Newcastle-upon-Tyne has reached a double milestone: the second anniversary 0f the scheme’s launch and one million scooter miles travelled.

The scheme, which was launched in February 2021 and recently extended to May 2024, is run by Neuron Mobility, the company behind the World’s first shared e-scooter scheme in Singapore in 2017.

The company’s own research suggests that 40% of trips made on the scooters have been instead of a car journey, preventing 103 tonnes of CO2 being released into the city and that 97% of local residents believed that the scheme has benefited their city, improving mobility, air quality and congestion. Neuron’s recent  Prosperity Report (UK) has calculated that e-scooter riders boost the local economy by £8.9 million per year.

The report found that: ‘Seven in 10 rides result in a purchase at a local business, and half of our riders are spending more than £10 every time they hop on an e-scooter, bringing valuable sales to shopping, dining and entertainment venues.

‘High streets, a notable hot spot for e-scooter rides, are seeing a much-needed boost from customers on e-scooters after a steady decline over the last few years which was only made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.’

Besides boosting spending, e-scooters also bring other benefits. Neuron point 9ut that they offer night-time economy workers like doctors and nurses a reliable and convenient alternative to cars and taxis, especially in the 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.

During the trial period, Neuron have partnered with The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to develop improved safety practices for Neuron’s operations, as well as leading sight loss charities, The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and the Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) to hold ScootSafe events which raised awareness of safe riding and being considerate to all road users.

It has been speculated that e-scooters could replace 5 million car journeys a year.