The roving safety ambassadors engaged with riders and the general public to educate and highlight Neuron’s rules and top safety guidelines for riding e-scooters.
Neuron Mobility regional manager Adam Muirson said an intake of new students meant e-scooters were used by many riders who were less familiar with or less inclined to follow the rules.
It could lead to some users riding with more than one person per e-scooter, and a small number of cases of riding under the influence of alcohol.
"Like all forms of mobility, complacency could lead to accidents at a time when students should be enjoying the first few weeks of term, rather than visiting hospitals."
In conjunction with the start of the tertiary academic year, the ambassadors also offered students discounted weekly and monthly student passes which deliver savings of up to 94%.
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I don't see any helmets in that picture nor are they mentioned in the article. In fact, the company only mentions misuse by the users as safety issues. Would the company like to respond to my charge that the e scooter transport model is inherently unsafe as long as helmet less users are riding vehicles that are capable of reaching high speeds on pavements designed for pedestrians.
A simple 3 second google search or walk outside to look at a Neuron scooter will tell you that they all have helmets fitted as standard. You unlock them when you use the scooter, I think you get a 50c discount or something if you unlock the helmet. The scooter also defaults to a lower speed limiter unless you specifically switch it to a higher speed mode, and is limited to the low speed limiter in certain parts of the city. This plus the event in the article show a serious consideration of safety, not to mention that the wheels are bigger than the competition and the standing platform is wider. There has to be an element of self responsibility regardless of the form of transport and scooters are not the only vehicle that can reach high speeds on pavements. It’s not Neuron’s responsibility to dictate whether or not people are allowed to ride on the pavement, that’s up to the local road controlling authority (DCC). I drive, use public transport, skateboard, jog, cycle and walk - there is room for multiple modes of transport in Dunedin just like anywhere else in the world.
You are quite right, it isn't Neuron's responsibility to dictate what is allowed on footpaths and speed limits. DCC have proved their incompetence in this area and shown a high level of negligence in looking after pedestrians.
@David - Agreed!
I hope they included guidance on keeping pedestrians safe as well. That would be more than DCC does.