Neuron e-scooters hit milestone in Bundaberg as police reveal crash data

Police have revealed the number of reported traffic crashes involving personal mobility devices in Bundaberg as Neuron celebrates its e-scooters hitting a major milestone across the city.

Neuron e-scooters have travelled a million kilometres in Bundaberg.

Neuron, the company behind Bundaberg’s bright orange scooters, has hit a milestone million kilometres of travel in the city.

The announcement coincides with data from police on the number of reportable crashes involving personal mobility devices in the Wide Bay Burnett during the past year.

This publication sought the crash data from the Queensland Police Service several months ago, and it has only just come to light.

Police records showed that crashes involving personal mobility devices were reported to police in 2022.

“For the period of January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 in the Wide Bay Burnett District, Police attended two incidents that involved PMDs, one of which was classified as a traffic crash – public report, and the other was classified as a traffic crash – with injury,” Police said.

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A personal mobility device is categorised by police as a scooter, skateboard or single-wheeled device, so it is not possible to determine if the incidents involved e-scooters or other similar devices.

Police said a number of approaches to ensure the safety of people on personal mobility devices had been implemented, including a police presence at high-use areas, engagement with government departments, organisations and private companies to help with education.

Education campaigns have also been run around helmet use and a focus on improving road rule knowledge with the understanding that personal mobility devices are considered legitimate modes of transport.

Warnings and enforcements have also been issued where needed.

Since launch in April 2021, Neuron’s e-scooters have racked up one million kilometres in Bundaberg alone, the company recently announced.

Neuron says the trips have eliminated an estimated 78 tonnes of CO2 by providing an alternative to short car trips, the average trip length in the city being 2.5km.

Data shows in Bundaberg 62 per cent of e-scooter journeys result in a purchase at a local business, spending about $65 per trip at shops.

Bargara has consistently been the most popular place for riders to start and end their trip, with Turtle Park the number one station.

Hinkler Central and McDonald’s in the town centre are also among the most visited locations.

Neuron’s regional manager Tim Morris said he believed the service bettered regions by providing environmentally friendly transport and encouraging business.

“E-scooters are a fantastic way to travel around the city and allow community members to see more, do more and spend more,” Mr Morris said.

Bundaberg Regional Council Sport and Recreation portfolio spokesperson Councillor Vince Habermann congratulated Neuron on its milestone, which came shortly after the Bundaberg region was named an ECO Certified Destination.

“It’s fantastic to see so many residents and visitors taking advantage of a more sustainable way to travel and reducing carbon emissions, and most of them doing the right thing in regards to wearing helmets, obeying all regulations and parking the e-scooters in an appropriate place at the end of their journey,” Mr Habermann said.

“Some riders continue to do the wrong thing, but thank you to Neuron Mobility for continuing to promote safety and for all users to obey all regulations and respect all other roads and pathways users.”