Electric scooters, bikes are back and ready to roll

E-scooters and e-bikes are taking another spin around the region. Neuron’s orange scooters returned to Waterloo Region for a second season Apr. 12.

The electric scooters and bikes first popped up in the region in spring last year. It’s estimated that 64 per cent of all trips resulted in a purchase with an average spend of $46 per trip. In a media release, Neuron said the e-scooters brought $8.2 million into the local economy after gathering data from riders.

About 400,000 km was collectively traveled by riders in the region in 2023, which Neuron estimates saved 20 tonnes of CO2 emissions. They said 32 per cent of all trips last year replaced a car.

Cristal Cole lives in the region and is worried about injuries after seeing people fall off the e-scooters last year.

“I’ve seen people when their out before, not wearing helmets and just concerned about the injuries with it being a university town, with the drinking and with the students,” said Cole.

Cole has yet to try an e-scooter but says she might this year.

“I think its good with the amount of traffic and the gridlock that were getting, having the different options open available for commuters I think is a fantastic idea.”

Riders must be 16-years or older in order to rent one for the day. E-scooters can be rented through Neuron’s mobile app. Single trips can cost $1.15 to unlock an e-scooter and another $0.39 per minute afterwards. There is also a monthly pass option riders can purchase to waive the unlock fee and get a discount on rides.

Neuron said riders can earn free credits by visiting their ScootSafe Academy to familiarize themselves with the local riding rules.

Sarrah Arngwala from Breslau was in the city for a visit, she was happy to see that the e-scooters were back.

“Our parents have tried it and they really enjoyed it, they were here and they were visiting us and they tried, they hopped on it.”

Arngwala said she will try the electric scooters for herself when the weather gets better. Arngwala added that she hopes maybe soon she will see them in her town.

“It would be nice, you know, we are still waiting for public transit in Breslau, we don’t have public transit yet but yea it would be nice.”

The second scooter season is set to wrap up in October but a spokesperson for Neuron told CityNews 570 they are open to operating longer.