E-scooters an early, resounding success in Lethbridge
It’s only been a few days since Neuron Mobility introduced e-scooters and e-bikes to Lethbridge, but they’ve already been a big success.
E-scooters have often been seen as a great way to get around, and it’s no different in Lethbridge.
With the service spanning 47 kilometres across south and west Lethbridge, many people are already seeing the potential for growth.
“People are able to catch their scooter from wherever in town. Bring it on downtown, it’s very easy to do your shopping, leave it outside a store for 10 minutes, get back on it and continue on your way,” said downtown Lethbridge community director Sarah Amies.
“I think we’re going to find Neuron gains a great deal of traction.”
Downtown business owners are already seeing positive results from the scooters. In a car, you have to find parking and pay for it, which can be a hassle.
But e-scooters offer a convenient alternative to shoppers, allowing them to zip around and enter any store they like on a whim.
“We’ve definitely seen them up and down the sidewalks for sure. We’ve had a few people use them and come in,” said Analog Books owner Penny Warris. “I think as soon as the weather cooperates, we’ll see a huge uptake on them.”
Neuron scooters only cost $1.15 for single-use rides with a charge of $0.35 a minute, which can make them an even better option than driving in some situations.
“I think it’s a great and convenient way to be more environmentally friendly right now, especially with the gas prices so high,” said Chamber of Commerce manager Dominika Wojcik.
While e-scooters have many practical benefits, some people enjoy them just because they’re fun.
“You see people with them out there and people are having fun with it. It seems to be a good program,” said King of Trades owner Hunter Heggie.
To use the scooters, you need to download the Neuron app from the app store or google play, and be 18 or older to ride.
There are 250 e-scooters and 50 e-bikes in Lethbridge but if demand is steady that could be increased to 500 e-scooters and 100 e-bikes.
With files from Jayden Wasney
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States, injuring at least three people.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.