Neuron Mobility's e-scooter season has ended in Vernon (file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

boost to local economy

Vernon’s e-scooter, e-bike season ends with over 219,000 km travelled

Dec 19, 2023 | 3:02 PM

The provider of the public e-scooters and e-bikes had a successful season in Vernon that is now officially over.

Neuron Mobility took its orange e-scooters and e-bikes off city streets Monday, Dec. 18, following a season that saw over 219,000 kilometres travelled by area residents and visitors since they hit the road in March.

A release from Neuron said the average trips taken in Vernon were 2.1 kilometres and took just over 10 minutes, adding that 40 per cent of those trips replaced car journeys.

The company said 70 per cent of trips reportedly led to a purchase at a local business and, as the average rider spent around $30 per trip, that resulted in a contribution of roughly $12,900 per each e-scooter to the local economy in 2023.

A ridership study found that 57 per cent of local riders were male, 40 per cent were female and three per cent were other or preferred not to answer. Vernon’s female ridership this past year was above the national average.

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The survey also found that six per cent of the local riders reported having a disability or mobility impairment, and of that population, 26 per cent said they used the e-bikes and e-scooters to make trips they otherwise would not have been able to make.

“We are delighted by the continued strong uptake of rental e-scooters and e-bikes in Vernon,” Ankush Karwal, General Manager of Neuron Mobility, said in the release.

“They have become an important part of the local transport network and are making a positive impact on a diverse demographic of users. Many riders are also using them to replace short car journeys and over two thirds of all e-scooter trips involve a purchase which is helping to boost the local economy. We want to thank the City of Vernon and our riders for their continued trust and support in making the 2023 season a success.”