Neuron kid on the block: Rival scooter company back in Brisbane

Rental e-scooter company Neuron is preparing to relaunch its rideshare fleet in Brisbane with a new safety campaign, a week after experts called for riders to wear full-face helmets.

From Tuesday, 2500 Neuron scooters will be rolled out, with Brisbane City Council renewing the company’s contract before the holiday season.

It comes after rival company Beam had its contract cancelled in September following an investigation that found it was exceeding its cap of 1800 scooters and operating “ghost scooters” for over a year.

Neuron e-scooters (left) will return to Brisbane from December 3, months after Beam (right) had its contract cancelled by Brisbane City Council. Credit: Dan Pelef

Neuron Mobility general manager Jayden Bryant said they looked forward to launching the fourth-annual Festive ScootSafe campaign in partnership with the Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF).

“Our safety ambassadors will be out over the launch period and during the festive season at ScootSafe events, helping new riders get started and promoting safe riding,” he said.

ARSF founder and chair Russell White emphasised the importance of safe riding.

“Regardless of the situation, it’s crucial to stay alert and aware when operating any vehicle, including an e-scooter,” White said.

“We encourage everyone to plan ahead, avoid alcohol before riding, and always prioritise safety.”

In November, a study released by the Jamieson Trauma Institute found one-third of riders admitted to emergency rooms had been travelling above the legal speed threshold, which is only possible on modified private devices.

In response, RACQ head of public policy Dr Michael Kane called for safety reforms for scooters, suggesting mandatory full-face helmets for private riders and for all rented scooters to be sit-down devices.

“It’s clear many riders on privately owned e-scooters are speeding, and sustaining more severe injuries, but riders on hired devices are still getting seriously injured,” Kane said.

“We’re seeing terrible results when people on standing scooters crash forwards and injure their face on roads or other hard surfaces like cars.

“What’s worrying is 65 per cent of all riders said they were wearing a helmet, which suggests standard helmets are not always protecting against facial injuries.”

Bryant reiterated the “different risk profiles” between private and rental scooters highlighted by the report.

“While discussions around proposals such as full-face helmets are valuable, it is important to also recognise the advanced safety features and strong safety record of rental e-scooters like Neuron’s,” Bryant said.

Despite rideshare scooters being capped at 25km/h, experts have suggested changes to devices and standards to improve safety for all users. Credit: Brisbane Times

“Neuron remains dedicated to working with a range of stakeholders to enhance e-scooter safety, striking a balance between practicality, innovation, and the well-being of our communities.”

The study found most patients presenting with e-scooter injuries were male, and an average age of 34.

Of the 111 patients interviewed, 35 per cent of hire scooter users reported consuming alcohol in the previous eight hours.

While a driver’s licence was not needed, a person could be charged for drink-driving while riding.

Responding to a question on notice in November 2023, then-police minister Mark Ryan said while penalties could apply, there was no legislative power for random breath testing of riders of scooters or bicycles.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said an investigation into the use of RBTs for personal mobility devices “should have been completed more than a year ago”.

“Consultation is under way with relevant community and PMD advocacy groups.”

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