Neuron Mobility expands riding area
By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on July 30, 2022.
Herald photo by Ry Clarke
Nick Armstrong rides Neuron Mobility's e-scouter Friday morning down at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.Neuron Mobility expanded its riding areas Thursday to include trails in the river valley near the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Fort Whoop-Up, and Indian Battle Park.
The expansion is intended to provide more opportunities to help residents get around the city and increase tourism opportunities. The e-mobility program began back in April 2022 with riders travelling more the 240,000 kilometres in the city since then.
Neuron puts safety at the focus of its product with app-controlled helmet locks and topple detection features to alert operations of issues in safety or vehicle hazards.
“(The response) has been very great, very positive. From the get go, we were overly pleased with the initial outcome the first few weeks and that’s just continued through and the momentum has continued, ridership remains super solid. Up to date right now, we have cumulatively over 240,000 kilometers traveled by thousands of different unique users in Lethbridge,” said Daniel Rodrigo, Alberta regional manager for Neuron.
With the expansion into more areas, Neuron looks at the city as a whole and big destination spots like the Helen Schuler Nature Center and Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens.
“One of the pieces that we were missing was having presence in the Indian battleground area. That’s where we decided, along with the City, to expanded our service area to. Allowing both our e-bikes and e-scooters users to get to and from those locations, forming a better connection between the whole city. You can ride them within the multi-use pathway systems and roads that connect those two areas. We hope that with that it’ll give tourists more options with how to move around the city, and how to get to all the different tourist destination sites that exist in Lethbridge,” said Rodrigo.
Neuron will be hosting a safety and awareness event at the Lethbridge airshow this weekend, July 30 – 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. giving attendees the opportunity to engage with Neuron and find out more about safety and e-mobility. Though the Airport is out of the service range, Neuron feels presence with the public is important on spreading knowledge on its program and recruiting new ridership.
“It’s a great event that the whole city participates in. It’s a great tool for us to go out there and interact with the public answering any safety concerns, any riding concerns, and promote the product letting people know that it’s there. And that we’re an integral part of the community,” said Rodrigo.
Neuron looks to be an integral part of the community here in Lethbridge, understanding the importance of safe environmental alternatives to transportation. Users are able to download the app and ride.
“Lethbridge has been really great. We’re super happy to be in the city, and to continue with these expansion efforts covering more ground. The reception that we see in Lethbridge is really testament to these micro-mobility programs, that they work not only in cities, like Calgary, but also in these smaller cities. Clearly indicating that there is a need and a demand for them from the general user,” said Rodrigo.
11-10
More and more I see neuron scooters and bikes blocking sidewalks, driveways and public thoroughfares. Every time I take a ride on my e-bike I have to stop, get off and move a neuron out of my way at least once during the trip. Other people are getting sick and tired of it too. The other day I saw someone take a neuron that was completely blocking the sidewalk and toss it out onto the road. Of course it’s not Neuron’s fault. It’s the fault of irresponsible riders. Or maybe it’s UCP scum taking politely parked scoots/bikes and re-parking them across sidewalks and driveways just to give e-vehicles a bad name.
Bottom line is I don’t give a rusty rat who is at fault I just want them gone because there isn’t a thing Neuron can do about it and they wouldn’t even if they could. They’re in it for the money and to heck with the consequences. Neuron vehicles are just one more piece of litter and they need to go as soon as the trial period is over.