New research shows that Neuron riders cumulatively spend £14.9 million a year at local businesses across Slough, Newcastle and Sunderland where the micromobility firm operates in the UK.
On average, each rental e-scooter contributes £11,500 to local economies per year.
Newcastle’s economy alone sees an injection of £8.9 million a year from rental e-scooter riders during their trips.
According to Neuron’s rider survey, 70% of e-scooter trips result in a direct purchase with a local business, while 10% of trips would not have happened at all had an e-scooter not been an option, which means these businesses would have missed out on valuable sales.
When asked where riders spend their money during e-scooter trips, 37% said they made purchases at shopping centres, 35% at restaurants or cafes, and 18% at entertainment venues like the gym.
“With over £17 spent on every trip we’re delighted that local businesses and venues are recognising the positive impact our e-scooters are making,” Neuron’s UK Regional Manager Cormac Quinn told Zag Daily.
“Partnering with cities continues to drive us – we are focused on helping them build a more prosperous and sustainable future and we’re heartened that the new report clearly demonstrates we’re on the right track.”
By running e-scooters 24/7, Neuron has also found that they are boosting the night-time economy.
Night-time workers, including those in the hospitality and healthcare sectors, are increasingly using e-scooters to get to and from work instead of relying on their own cars or taxis. In total, 13% of trips occur between 10pm and 6am, with many trips starting and ending at key hospitality hot spots.
The data comes from a newly launched report from the operator titled Shared Rides, Shared Wealth, which outlines the positive impact shared schemes are having on the UK market.
John McCabe, CEO of the North East England Chamber of Commerce, said: “Neuron’s e-scooters have been a fantastic addition to the transport mix in Newcastle. During the transition out of the pandemic, when the city was in need of economic stimulation, Neuron’s e-scooters provided a socially distanced and reliable mode of transport to enable the public to get out and spend in person, as well as offering an alternative for key workers to commute to work.”
