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Neuron Mobility is set to roll out in Slough as part of the ongoing UK e-scooter trials.
The 12-month trial, due to commence in mid-October, will see 250 rides deployed across the town.
According to a joint statement from Neuron and Slough Borough Council, the operator was selected due to its “strong track record” of partnering with councils and also because of “their leadership when it comes to safety and innovation”.
As part of Neuron’s investment into the town, the company will create around 25 skilled jobs which will be recruited locally. Slough riders have access to Neuron’s latest N3 e-scooters, which have been purpose-built for renting.
The N3 offers; geofencing technology to control where e-scooters are ridden and parked, and how fast they can travel in certain areas; an app-controlled helmet lock that secures a safety helmet to the e-scooters between trips to benefit safety-conscious riders; a topple detection feature that can detect if an e-scooter has been left on its side which then alerts an operations team to reposition it safely; a 999 emergency button which can tell if someone has had a fall and helps the rider call the emergency services; voice guidance to educate and warn riders of how to ride safely; and, a “Follow my Ride” feature that allows the rider’s friends and family to track an e-scooter trip in real time for added safety and peace of mind.
Zachary Wang, CEO of Neuron Mobility, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the permit to operate in Slough and look forward to partnering with the Council to deliver a safe and convenient service to help people move around the town post-pandemic.
“Safety is our top priority, it dictates our e-scooter design and also the way we operate them. This is an important milestone in Neuron’s expansion into the UK but it’s only the beginning.”
Cllr Rob Anderson, Slough Borough Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Environmental Services, said: “This is an exciting first for Slough. We are leading the way in the use of alternative electric vehicles and the potential benefits of their use in the future.
“The town’s bus lanes, including the current experimental lanes on the A4, will be able to be used by the rental scooters leading to them being an attractive and sustainable way to travel in the borough.”
Neuron and the Council will be using geofencing technology to create ‘slow zones’, ‘no parking zones’ and ‘no-go zones’ in specific areas across the town to improve safety. Each e-scooter is also fitted with a unique license plate number for easy identification and to promote responsible use.
