Darwin eScooters get new tracking feature to improve trip safety

ESCOOTER company Neuron has launched a new safety feature that allows riders to share their trip in real time with friends or family, as the City of Darwin will tomorrow consider ­extending the trial.

The 12-month Neuron eScooter trial will be reviewed at tomorrow’s City of Darwin council meeting. Picture: Che Chorley

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ESCOOTER company Neuron has launched a new safety feature that allows riders to share their trip in real time with friends or family, as the City of Darwin will tomorrow consider ­extending the trial.

A fleet of 200 scooters was introduced onto the streets of the Darwin CBD in January, as a part of a 12-month trial.

The number of scooters has since grown to 350, with the operating area recently extended to include Mindil Beach and George Brown Botanic Gardens.

The operation area is set to extend further to include East Point.

The new Follow My Ride feature was introduced to allow riders to feel more safe while riding alone at night.

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Neuron chief executive Zachary Wang said the feature came out of discussions with a female focus group.

“The new Follow My Ride service has been created in ­response to feedback and ­insights directly from our riders,” Mr Wang said.

“They asked for the option to share their location with friends and family and so we introduced it.”

The feature is now live on all scooters, which can be used by riders sending a URL tracking their trip to one of the contacts in their phone.

It comes after Neuron added a feature earlier this year that calls emergency services if the scooter detects a fall.

The scooters have been well received in Darwin so far, ­according to a council report to be tabled tomorrow night when the trial extension will be considered.

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The report, by Darwin council Innovation Growth and Development Services general manager Josh Sattler, says users have recorded satisfaction rates of more than 75 per cent.

“Average trips per day are in excess of 1200, and average distances are of 1.8km,” Mr Sattler said. He said the council would consider a 12-month extension of the trial.

“Scooter deployment is at the limit of the operating agreement at 350, and expansion will require additional scooters and an amendment to the said agreement,” he said.