Shared e-scooter operators Voi and Neuron have launched comprehensive strategies to educate riders and promote road safety.
Through safety courses and events, the operators aim to equip riders with the necessary knowledge and skills to ride e-scooters responsibly, whilst fostering positive relationships with local communities.
In the UK, Voi has announced a series of safety events in Northampton and Southampton, which have some of the largest fleets in the country.
With free in-person safety events, participants can learn more about e-scooters and ask questions in a safe, traffic-free environment.
The operator is also offering webinars through to December covering all aspects of riding a Voi e-scooter. These include wearing a helmet to the correct position and how to park without causing an obstruction for pedestrians.
The initiative is run in partnership with road safety education and training provider TTC.
“When developing new programmes, we’re able to draw on over 28 years of experience, educating more than 500,000 road users every year,” Louise Elstone, Vulnerable Road User Training Programme Manager at TTC, told Zag.
“As the volume of new Voi e-scooter riders continues to grow in the UK, we’re delighted to be working closely with Voi to evolve the e-scooter safe riding skills programme that we deliver on their behalf.”
The events will take place at the University of Northampton Waterside campus and Southampton Football Club’s St Mary’s stadium.
Attendees will receive a £10 day pass to ride for free during the session, as well as an additional 15 minutes for practising riding safely. They will also receive a free helmet, valued at £35.
UN Road Safety Week
In a parallel effort, Neuron Mobility is allocating up to £100,000 in incentives globally to enhance rider education and raise awareness about responsible riding and parking.
The initiative celebrates UN Road Safety Week (15-21 May) by renewing its dedication to promoting the campaign ‘Safer Streets for All’.
In the UK, Neuron is hosting in-person ScootSafe briefings in Newcastle. Safety Ambassadors, in partnership with charities, will provide guidance on safe riding practices and responsible parking.
Attendees will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the impact of misparked e-scooters on the visually impaired by trying on specialised glasses.
“This year we will be briefing our riders on our new parking guidelines and Augmented Reality parking assistant technology which helps riders park safely and ensures safer streets for all road users,” Neuron’s General Manager UK and Ireland Cormac Quinn told Zag.
Neuron will also promote educational materials developed alongside charities on social media. They aim to foster considerate behaviour towards pedestrians, particularly those with visual impairments, wheelchair users and the elderly.
Additionally, through Neuron’s online riding school, ScootSafe Academy, the operator offers interactive quizzes, videos and games to educate riders on local riding rules and address specific violations.
