Ballarat CBD now has a fleet of 250 Neuron E-Scooters ready to ride.

Ballarat is undergoing a 12-month trial with Neuron Mobility to determine the viability of e-scooters as a transport alternative for short trips around the CBD.

Why Ballarat?

Ballarat has just been named 'the Australian city with the worst traffic jam'.

Chasing Cars used TravelTime API technology which calculated an 8.3km difference between how far Ballarat drivers can travel in 30 minutes of peak hour traffic vs non-peak hour driving.

City of Ballarat Mayor Daniel Moloney says this is a 'really good positive alternative' for short trips around the CBD.

Now that we've got them, how do we use them?

It all happens through the Neuron Mobility App.

If there's a scooter right in front of you, scan the QR code in the Neuron App and unlock the scooter.

Once you've unlocked the e-scooter and put the helmet on (riders must wear a helmet), do a standard safety check of the vehicle - test the breaks, lights, horn and throttle, then place both hands on the handle bars, put up the kick-stand, place one foot on the deck, push down the acceleration paddle, and then push off with your grounded foot.

If you're just planning a trip, the Neuron Mobility App shows where are scooters near by. You can reserve an e-scooter for 15 minutes, if you don't start your ride within the 15 minutes anyone will be able to unlock the scooter again.

Who can ride?

Anyone over 18 can ride - no licence is required.

Blood alcohol and drug driving restrictions will apply and anyone in breach of these alcohol and drug restrictions will face heavy fines or risk losing their licence.

For Neuron e-scooters, it is recommended that riders are in good-health especially for insurance purposes. There is a recommended age limit of 75 and a weight limit of 140kgs.

Only one person can be on board the e-scooter.

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What is the cost?

All payments for the e-scooters are through the Neuron App.

Unlocking a scooter is an automatic $1 fee, and the ride costs 45 cents per minute.

There are daily, weekly and monthly passes available in the app, which can reduce costs for regular riders.

Are they sustainable?

The e-scooters are carbon neutral with batteries powered by 100% renewable energy.

Where can you ride?

To ensure safety of pedestrians, e-scooters will not be ridden on footpaths during the trial.

E-scooters will be only permitted in bicycle lanes, on shared paths, and on lower speed roads up to 50km/h within the 25 square kilometre riding area.

Geofencing technology will implement the speed cap of 20km/h on all scooters and automatically slows down the scooter in slow-speed and no-riding zones.

When do they operate?

They are available for 24-hours a day and have a battery life of 45-hours - check how many hours of battery life are left before you start your journey.

How safe are they?

While there were over 600 rented e-scooter related injuries acquired over 18 months in Brisbane, Neuron ANZ Richard Hannah says the N-3 E-Scooter is built to prioritise safety.

It has a wide base deck, topple detection, voice guidance and silicone all-terrain tyres.

Are you insured?

Yes, there is Ride Insurance with Neuron.

Neuron Mobility is in partnership with Agile Underwriting Service Pty Ltd who are an approved Australian Lloyd's Coverholder in Australia and New Zealand.

If you're in an accident, the scooter features a 000 call button.

Where do you park?

The E-scooters are part of a free-floating model which means you can park it wherever is convenient but it's important to be considerate and leave them in a safe spot.

There are 50 incentivised parking stations across the city that are marked on the map within the Neuron Mobility app - if you leave an e-scooter in one of these spots, you can get a 50 cent refund.

There are ScootSafe events this weekend.

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