Scooters And One Wheels
E-scooter firm Beam might help Esperance bridge the general public transport void
E-scooter rental is touted as an environmentally friendly transport solution for regional cities, many of which do without public buses, trains and ridesharing companies.
Important points:
- E-scooter rental company Beam says it can help residents reduce their carbon footprint by driving a scooter around town instead of a car
- Esperance Shire Council believes the footpaths in the area are good quality and safe for e-scooters
- Beam has partnered with local companies to send special offers to drivers parking nearby
This week the Esperance Shire Council agreed to trial the e-scooter rental company Beam in the south coast town, starting in a couple of weeks.
Around 200 scooters are rented and the drivers pay for them using a mobile app.
You will be charged $ 1 to unlock the scooter and 45 cents for every minute you use it.
Esperance Shire President Ian Mickel said the scooters would provide a much-needed means of transportation.
“We don’t have any public services in town other than taxis, so we thought we’d give it a try,” said Cr Mickel.
While some have warned that many regional locations do not have the public infrastructure necessary to drive e-scooters safely, Cr Mickel said Esperance invested in quality bike and footpaths and didn’t think it was a problem.
“I think we have excellent dual-use trails in the city,” he said.
Beam’s general manager Tom Cooper said there would be designated digital parking spaces across town for the scooters, believing that people would have to walk no more than 3-4 minutes to find a scooter and parking space.
Another benefit is that residents can leave their car at home and take an e-scooter to reduce their carbon footprint.
New WA laws to regulate the use of e-scooters will come into force next month. (Delivered: Beam)
Mr Cooper said the company hopes to boost the local economy by sending special offers to drivers via the mobile app that they can redeem in local stores when they park their scooters nearby.
New “eRideable Laws” in WA
Interstate, e-scooters have been the subject of safety concerns.
Beam is due to be installed in Esperance shortly after the new WA laws come into force, which will set speed limits, right of way rules, age limits and safety requirements for the use of this type of vehicle.
The driving speed is limited to 25 km / h on cycle paths and roads and 10 km / h on footpaths.
They must also give right of way to pedestrians, be at least 16 years old, wear a helmet and abide by the same cell phone and alcohol and drug driving rules as other motorists.
Mr Cooper said the scooters had GPS and helmets attached and said there would be “slow zones” and “no-drive zones” in places with lots of pedestrians.
“Through technology, we will control how these devices are used,” he said.
The company said every trip would be covered by its private accident insurance.
The Esperance Shire Council approved the Beam’s operating license by the end of next year.
Shane Burge, Shire CEO, said the process will be monitored throughout to ensure there is no negative impact on the community.
