Neuron's e-scooters travel half a million kms across the North East of England

● Since launching in March 2021, Neuron's e-scooters have racked up 500,000 kilometres (310,000 miles) in the North East of England, eliminating an estimated 27 tonnes of CO2

● A recent survey shows that Sunderland has embraced e-scooters with 86% of people believing they have made a positive impact on the local community, and 54% of all trips resulting in a rider making a purchase at a local business

● In Sunderland, an impressive 42% of trips replaced a car journey and 55% of users combine their e-scooter journey with another form of public transport

● Over half of journeys are combined with other forms of transport as first or last mile solutions

Leading e-scooter operator Neuron Mobility, has released findings from a new rider survey that shows their e-scooters are making a positive impact in Sunderland. The survey shows that the distinctive orange e-scooters have travelled 500,000 kilometres (310,000 miles) in the North East of England, since first launching in the region in March 2021.

Creating a positive economic impact

Neuron's e-scooters have been embraced by locals in Sunderland, with 86 per cent of riders believing that Neuron has created a positive impact for the local community. An impressive 54 per cent of rides have resulted in a purchase at a local business, providing a well-needed boost for the economy. In fact, over one in ten trips would not have happened if e-scooters were not available, meaning purchases would not otherwise have been made.

Three quarters of all trips in Sunderland are being used for leisure and recreational purposes, and the remaining quarter facilitated 'purposeful' journeys, with an emphasis on commuter trips.

Neuron launched in Sunderland in March 2021, shortly after they landed in Newcastle. With e-scooters available at both ends of the Tyne & Wear Metro, Neuron has provided an integrated first and last mile transport alternative, further complementing journeys for travellers in both cities.

Sustainability at the core

The e-scooters have also had a positive impact on the environment. Over 42 per cent of trips displaced car journeys in Sunderland, which has contributed to an elimination of an estimated 27 tonnes of CO2 in the North East of England.

The survey also found that over 55 per cent of Sunderland's users combined their e-scooter journey with another form of public transport, showing just how effective e-scooters can be as a solution for first and last mile journeys. By combining an e-scooter ride with other modes of public transport, the average length of a car journey displaced was 4.41 miles with some journeys up to 15 miles.

In accordance with The Carbon Reduction Institute, Neuron's e-scooter operations around the world have been certified as a Carbon Neutral Service. In addition, the company also now has NoCO2 certification, ensuring it is investing in global projects that reduce carbon emissions. To further reinforce their commitment to sustainable operations, Neuron uses only electric vehicles to transport their e-scooters to and from the warehouse in Sunderland, this supports their carbon neutral operations as well as Sunderland City Council's sustainable transport goals.

Supporting communities through COVID-19

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, Neuron has issued over 100 free passes for NHS and Emergency Service staff in Sunderland. This has allowed key workers to make up to 600 free rides across the town. Neuron has also provided free morning commutes totaling 700 rides since March 2021. This further demonstrates how Neuron is supporting Sunderland's COVID-19 recovery.

Neuron's rider survey demonstrates that e-scooters are an important part of the transport mix, especially in the context of COVID-19, as over 75 per cent of users take social distancing into account when choosing their mode of transport.

Focus on safety

Neuron's N3 e-scooter has been specifically designed to be the market leader in safety with a strong focus on safety features and rider education. The Neuron e-scooter is packed with a number of safety innovations including the world's first app-controlled helmet lock which secures a safety helmet to every e-scooter, voice guidance to educate and warn riders of how to travel safely, and 999 emergency button which can tell if someone has had a fall.

To ensure a safe transition and encourage responsible riding as Sunderland emerges from lockdown, Neuron introduced its 'helmet selfie' which awards riders free 30p credits if they take a picture of themselves wearing the helmet, and launched an in-app reaction test which promotes self reflection and helps riders assess whether they should be riding an escooter or not. The company also launched an incentivised Sunderland-specific Safe Rider Quiz to educate riders of their local riding rules.

George Symes, Expansion Manager at Neuron Mobility, said: "It's really encouraging to see how well our e-scooters have been embraced in Sunderland - and the data proves that they are helping to boost the local economy as it recovers from the effects of COVID-19. At Neuron we are proud to have supported the city through the recent COVID-19 lockdown and are delighted that we have become a valuable part of the transport mix. "E-scooters are an environmentally friendly and convenient way to travel. This latest data shows that e-scooters are playing a key role in reducing car journeys helping to reduce congestion in Sunderland. We want to thank all our riders and partners for their ongoing support and commitment to making e-scooters a safe and successful addition to Sunderland's roads.

Councillor Graeme Miller at Sunderland City Council, said: "Since the e-scooter trial in Sunderland launched in March, we have been pleased to see a high take up from the city's residents. It has been fantastic to see people opt for this new safe and sustainable mode of transport as we continue to reduce our carbon emissions as a city. "Neuron has been an essential partner in making the scheme a success through their focus on safe riding and efforts to educate riders on responsible behaviour. We look forward to working with them as the trial continues.

Important Riding Rules and Safety Tips:

● Riders must be 18 years old and above

● Must have provisional or full driving licence

● No riding on pavements

● Helmets are not mandatory but their use is strongly recommended

● One rider per e-scooter

● Keep a safe distance from pedestrians

● Do not ride under the influence of alcohol or other substances

● Be aware and remove earphones

● Keep both hands on the handlebars

● Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles particularly when turning

● Park responsibly and don't cause an obstruction

Please note, failure to adhere to the rules may result in Police prosecution as well as points on, or a loss of a rider's driving licence altogether.

Should anyone see any rider breaking these rules, please report the exact time, location and licence plate number to our 24/7 customer service centre.