Use of e-scooters and e-bikes around the region remains steady as the program continues into its second year.
According to Neuron Mobility, the company that brought the mode of transportation to the streets of Waterloo region, riders have surpassed 550,000 kilometres travelled since they were launched in 2023.
"It shows the demand is there," Isaac Ransom, head of corporate affairs for Neuron Mobility Canada, said.
"What we see now is riders are consistently using the service and we're also seeing trends as the riding area expands in other parts of the region."
So far in 2024, riders have gone over 153,000 kilometres with an average trip time of 12.5 minutes and 1.9 kilometres.
The longest trip recorded in the region was nine kilometres, Ransom said.
Residents in the 16 to 24 age category make up 58 per cent of all riders, with those aged 25 to 34 making 25 per cent of the trips.
Their use is also showing economic and environmental benefits.
Data collected by Neuron shows 64 per cent of all e-scooter rides resulted in an average purchase of $46 at a local business, which equated to $8.2 million funnelled into the Waterloo region economy last year.
From an emissions perspective, 32 per cent of trips replaced a car ride.
As for what's next for the company, there's no immediate plans to expand but Ransom said information is continually being collected and analyzed to determine next steps.
For now, Ransom and his team are focused on making sure the program is sustainable and serving the needs of the community.
"We hear a lot of feedback from the riders and where they’d like to see them," he said.
"We see where trips are starting and ending. We make recommendations on areas where the program might expand to and work hand-in-hand with each of our municipal partners for where they want to see it operate."
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