Leading e-scooter operator Neuron Mobility, has announced that its distinctive orange e-scooters will be available to ride across more areas in Ballarat. The expansion will cover a further 15 square kilometres of riding area and will be supported by an additional 150 e-scooters bringing the total number of e-scooters in the city to 400. The additional e-scooters will be rolled out gradually over spring, in line with demand.

The expanded service zone will support longer commutes from Ballarat Central to Lucas, as well as more residential areas in the existing suburbs of Delacombe, Ballarat North and Brown Hill.

Richard Hannah, Head of ANZ of Neuron Mobility said, “As we expand, safety remains our top priority. We encourage new and existing riders to try our new digital education platform, ScootSafe Academy to learn how to use our e-scooters in a safe and responsible way.”

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said: “The City of Ballarat is happy to support the extension of the e-scooter programme. Neuron e-scooters provide riders with an environmentally friendly and inexpensive way to travel. The expansion of the riding is perfectly timed for spring and summer in Ballarat, and the new area means that more people can visit and support local businesses in the region.”

Neuron’s e-scooters have been embraced by residents, who have travelled over 300,000 kilometres since launching in December 2021. According to a recent survey conducted by Neuron, 86% of users believe Neuron has created a positive impact for the city and an impressive 63% of all trips replaced car rides, eliminating an estimated 32 tonnes of CO2.

The expanded riding area is set to be welcomed by businesses located within the new zone, with the survey also finding that e-scooters are providing a boost to the local economy -69% of rides resulted in a purchase at a business, and 16% of trips wouldn’t have happened at all if the e-scooters weren’t available. Orchard Cafe, located on the edge of the new zone will be one of the many businesses to benefit from the expansion.

Leroy Hand, Owner of Orchard Cafe in Lucas said: "I am so pleased to see Neuron will be expanding its e-scooter operations to include Lucas. I've seen the positive impact these e-scooters have had on businesses in the Ballarat CBD and am excited to see some new friendly faces make their way to the Orchard on the e-scooters."

Charlie King, a Ballarat local living in Alfredton and working at the Art Gallery of Ballarat said: “I am really looking forward to the riding area expanding so I can scoot to work. I currently live outside of the riding area and I don’t have a car so I rely on my family for a lift or often catch an Uber. Now that I can use e-scooters in my area, I will get the monthly Neuron Pass, which will save me around $40 per week on work travel alone.”

To promote safe and responsible riding, riders are encouraged to visit Neuron's new education platform ScootSafe Academy through the Neuron App or via the company’s website. They will be able to view local riding rules and receive incentives to watch educational videos, and for participating in quizzes and games. Those that complete the tasks will receive free credits towards future rides.

Riders can unlock and use the e-scooters through Neuron’s user-friendly app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play and set up in a matter of minutes.

If you have questions you can contact Neuron by calling (03) 9034 9666 or emailing ballaratsupport@neuron.sg or for more information please visitwww.rideneuron.com.

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