Central Alberta communities impacted by Lime e-mobility takeover of Neuron

The pilot began with multiple companies providing scooters, but a couple years later, when the pilot project tag was removed, Neuron was the last company standing.

In a statement today, Lime says the transaction with Neuron is designed to ensure a seamless transition for cities and riders alike.

Lime notes it is working with Neuron and city partners to provide uninterrupted micromobility service to ensure riders can continue to rely on micromobility for their daily needs.

Lime will assume operations from Neuron on a city-by-city basis throughout the coming months and will ultimately operate its own vehicles under the Lime brand.

“Through our existing service in Canadian cities, we’ve seen strong potential for the role micromobility can play across the country,” said Wayne Ting, CEO of Lime.

“That’s why we’re excited to bring Lime’s global operational expertise to even more Canadian riders. This new operating agreement allows us to deepen our roots in the country to ensure that shared micromobility remains a reliable, permanent fixture of the urban transportation mix.”

Areas of emphasis for the company include latest-generation hardware, laser-focus on reliability, and seamless global access.

The City of Red Deer notes it is reviewing next steps and will share further updates when available.

In September 2022, near the end of the second year of the city’s pilot project, Neuron issued the results of a national survey highlighting the economic impacts of e-scooters.

It noted that in Red Deer specifically, 81 per cent of riders in Red Deer used an e-scooter to visit a restaurant, cafe or explore the city.

Almost 60 per cent confirmed they made purchases during their most recent trip.

The company added at the time that another nearly 10 per cent of trips to those locations would not have happened at all if the e-scooters were not available, which was gathered through feedback from riders.

A report from earlier that year, put together by the City of Red Deer, found more than 109,000 rides were taken in the summer of 2022, with 3.56 km the average distance ridden.

Other compliments noted the e-scooters brought additional people down and that they are fun to use. Complaints included parking issues related to a lack of designated areas, rider etiquette, underage riders, and low speeds.

There were also 13 injuries that year.

With the sale, Neuron is also planning expansion to Vaughan, Ontario, and Edmonton, Alberta.

The municipalities of Sylvan Lake, Lacombe, and Blackfalds have not yet commented.

by Josh Hall

Central Alberta communities impacted by Lime e-mobility takeover of Neuron

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