- Economist Nick Behrens from Australian Economic Advocacy Solutions (AEAS) independently analysed Neuron’s operations in Melbourne and concluded that Neuron e-scooters contributed $135.74 million in direct, indirect and enabled economic activity during the first 12 months of Melbourne’s e-scooter trial
- The report, which included analysis of data from Neuron’s operations and surveys of e-scooter riders, calculated the average Melbourne rider spends $65.97 per trip and 65% of trips result in a purchase; each e-scooter pumped $70,820 of direct, indirect and enabled spend into Melbourne’s local economy per year
- The report comes as global micromobility management platform Ride Report, publishes the latest data on the trial, with Melbourne ranked the number one city globally when it comes to e-scooter utilisation, surpassing larger and more established cities like Brisbane, Washington DC and Austin Texas
New research from leading economist Nick Behrens of Australian Economic Advocacy Solutions (AEAS) has concluded that Neuron e-scooters contributed a massive $135.74 million in direct, indirect and enabled economic activity in the city during the first 12 months of Melbourne’s e-scooter trial.
The AEAS Report, launched today, analysed operational data and a survey of close to 2000 riders from e-scooter operator Neuron Mobility to calculate the economic and environmental contribution of Neuron’s operations in Melbourne. It found 65% of all trips result in a purchase and the average Melbourne rider spends $65.97 at local businesses per trip.
Asked where they spend their money, 37.9% of riders made a purchase at a hospitality venue, 29.7% made a purchase at a department store, supermarket or other retail store and 16.4% visited a recreational venue like a gym, movie theatre or event. The report determined that Neuron services contribute 11 cents in every $100 worth of economic activity in Melbourne.
Neuron is estimated to have created and supported 800 Melbourne-based jobs during the first 12 months of the trial. AEAS forecast that this number will rise to 1296 jobs by 2026-27.
Neuron’s e-scooters are providing a viable alternative to cars, with the research finding that 44.7% of all trips replaced a car journey. It is estimated that there has been a reduction of 225.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions from cars travelling on Melbourne roads with a saving of 869,135 car journeys. E-scooters, which are not impacted by congestion, have led to significant time-saving benefits resulting in an overall productivity estimate of an additional $3.38 million for Melbourne users.
The City of Melbourne, Yarra and Port Phillip have also benefited from the e-scooter program including an estimated saving of $1.29 million over 12 months in road and maintenance costs, and the Victorian Government has potentially saved up to $7.08 million in road maintenance costs each year.
A full copy of the report can be accessed here.
