Newcastle launches new e-scooter trial

Newcastle City Council is working with leading e-scooter operator Neuron Mobility to launch a new trial that will see 250 scooters available to hire in locations across the city.

The local trial has been backed by government as part of a national look at whether e-scooters could be legalised for use in the UK. The 12-month trial will provide people with a safe, socially-distanced and environmentally-friendly transport option.

Neuron is providing free passes to NHS and Emergency Services staff during the national lockdown, redeemable through the rates and passes section of the Neuron app. During the first three months the company will also offer free rides for commuters between 5am to 9am daily. As the pandemic situation improves there will also be more offers including those for university students and people on low incomes.

The e-scooters are GPS-enabled and Neuron and Newcastle City Council will use Geofencing technology to control where they are ridden and parked, and how fast they can travel in certain areas by creating slow-zones, no-ride zones and no-parking zones. Each e-scooter will be fitted with a unique license plate for easy identification and to promote responsible use.

Arlene Ainsley, cabinet member for transport and air quality at Newcastle City Council, said: “We’re very excited to be launching our e-scooter trial with Neuron. The e-scooters offer a safe, convenient and low-carbon transport option for people and we very much hope they will play an important role in helping to transform the way we travel around our city. While we remain in national lockdown, the scooters will primarily be for key workers and we encourage people to only use them for essential journeys at this time.

“The Neuron e-scooters have several important safety features as well as technology that can control where they can be ridden and their maximum speed in certain areas. In addition Neuron’s safety team will regularly clean both scooters and helmets using disinfectant so that people can be confident that the equipment is clean and safe to use. As the trial develops we’ll be working with Neuron to introduce more scooters in response to demand and we’ll be monitoring how they are being used to ensure the scheme is operating safely and effectively.”