E-scooter use in Kelowna and Vernon skyrocketed in 2023
E-scooter usage in Vernon and Kelowna skyrocketed in the past year showcasing the benefits of the new mode of transportation.
Lime, the e-scooter provider in Kelowna, said ridership nearly tripled in Kelowna in 2023, according to a media release from the company.
There was an increase of 67% in riders, meaning 78,000 people used Lime’s e-scooters which accounted for the 555,000 trips made in 2023 in Kelowna.
“Lime is proud and grateful to everyone in Kelowna who sent ridership soaring this year and we hope to continue building on that success in the years to come," Sonia Kandola with Lime said in the release.
In Vernon, Neuron Mobility operates and provides the orange e-scooters in the city. According to a media release, 219,000 kilometres were travelled between March and December of 2023.
Neuron found the average e-scooter trip was 2.1 km and took just under ten minutes, and that 40% of the rides replaced travel by car.
“We are delighted by the continued strong uptake of rental e-scooters and e-bikes in Vernon. They have become an important part of the local transport network and are making a positive impact on a diverse demographic of users,” Ankush Karwal with Neuron Mobility said in the release.
The Bridging the E-scooter Gender Gap: Enhancing Adoption and Safety report revealed 47% of the riders in Vernon identified as female, seven points more than the national average of 40% making e-scooters a mainstream transport option for all regardless of gender.
Neuron’s e-scooters also appeal to people with disabilities and mobility impairments, Neuron said, providing a new, easier option for transportation.
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