Neuron Mobility continues efforts to raise helmet safety awareness

Credit: Neuron Mobility

E-scooter operator, Neuron Mobility, has kicked off its third-annual Helmet Safety Awareness Week, beginning on 18 September 2023. The company is partnering with leading national road safety organisations: Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF); Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) in Canada; Brake New Zealand; and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in the UK. The initiative will build on Neuron’s continued commitment to highlight the importance of wearing a helmet while riding an e-scooter and e-bike. 

Safety is a cornerstone of Neuron’s business and, with international research showing that 28% of e-scooter injuries occur to the head or neck, Neuron and their partners are calling for all riders to remember to put on a helmet. Over the course of the week, there will be extra education initiatives and incentives that can help to increase helmet awareness and use.

To mark Helmet Safety Awareness Week, leading not-for-profit organisation ARSF shares their top five compelling reasons to wear a helmet:

1. Enhancing personal safety: wearing a helmet significantly reduces the risk of sustaining a severe injury by an impressive 70%. It acts as a reliable safeguard, offering crucial protection in the event of an unforeseen accident
2. Legal compliance and financial savings: embracing helmets isn’t just a personal choice; in many cities around the world, it’s also a legal requirement. By wearing a helmet, riders not only follow the law but also avoid heavy fines, ensuring that journeys remain safe, legal and also budget-friendly
3. Increased visibility for all: beyond personal safety, helmets serve as a means of increasing visibility on the road. Bright helmets ensure that riders are noticed by fellow commuters, contributing to safer shared spaces
4. Protection from the weather: helmets are not just for impact protection; they also shield riders from the elements. Whether it’s rain, wind or harsh sunlight, a helmet acts as a reliable barrier, making rides comfortable regardless of the weather
5. Leading by example: as a responsible road user, riders hold the power to set a positive precedent for others. By donning a helmet, riders inspire a culture of safety-conscious behaviour, making streets safer for everyone.

Russell White, CEO of Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF), said: “We are delighted to continue our work with Neuron, especially partnering with them for the third annual Helmet Safety Awareness Week. Our top five reasons to wear a helmet are not just about the individual rider, but the community as a whole. Each time you put on your helmet, you’re not just safeguarding yourself, but also contributing to a safer, and socially conscious, community on the road. So, this Helmet Safety Awareness Week, remember to wear a helmet!” 

David Walker, Head of Road and Leisure Safety at RoSPA, said: “We’re pleased to support Neuron this Helmet Awareness Week, which offers the ideal time for riders to be reminded of the importance of wearing a helmet. Although helmets don’t prevent collisions from happening, they do provide a crucial line of defence that cannot be underestimated. We strongly recommend all riders wear helmets, so if they are in an incident, their head is as protected as possible.”

A Neuron study – which included over 7,100 respondents across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK – examined the perceptions of e-scooter safety and what would increase helmet usage. In New Zealand, the UK and some cities in Canada where helmet use is not mandatory, introduction of regulations to wear them (67%) emerged on top, while police enforcements and fines (63%) is the leading recommendation for Australia and elsewhere in Canada where helmets are a legal requirement. Respondents also suggested that e-scooter operators should provide helmets (56%) and that more education to riders (55%) would increase helmet use.

In 2020, Neuron launched the world’s first app-controlled Helmet Lock, which integrates a helmet to every e-scooter and e-bike. In order to protect riders, the system electronically releases a helmet for use before each trip.

Richard Hannah, Head of Global Operations at Neuron Mobility, said: “We are delighted to be working with our national safety partners on this year’s Helmet Safety Awareness Week. Collectively, we are highlighting the importance of wearing a helmet, and we want to encourage everyone to continue to wear one long after the campaign ends. Helmets are the single most important way for riders to protect themselves, and safety never goes out of style when it comes to riding an e-scooter or e-bike.” 

Throughout Helmet Safety Awareness Week, Neuron will be further encouraging riders to use their incentivised in-app ‘Helmet Selfie’ feature. They are also directing riders to their online ScootSafe Academy to participate in interactive quizzes, videos and games and receive credits towards their ride. 

Neuron will also be holding a series of ScootSafe events in partnership with their national safety partners across many of the cities that they operate in globally. Members of the public will also have the opportunity to complete a safety briefing by Neuron’s Safety Ambassadors to equip themselves with the confidence to ride and park safely and responsibly.