City of Greater Geraldton to vote on future of Beam e-scooter hire service following end of 15-month trial

Greater Geraldton councillors will next week vote to extend the city’s e-scooter trial by two years after the majority of the community surveyed backed the hire service. A 15-month trial by e-scooter operator Beam ends this month and the City of Greater Geraldton will decide its future at the December council meeting next Tuesday. Executive staff have recommended councillors give the green light to Beam for a two-year extension until January 1, 2026. The purple e-scooters have become a common sight across the city and suburbs since the Beam trial started in September last year. A recent survey was conducted, which had received almost 2000 responses. Of those, 67 per cent agreed the council should allow hire of e-scooters in Geraldton. In his report to council, CEO Ross McKim said the e-rideable hire business generated economic activity and local employment opportunities. “They also add to the vibrancy of the city,” he said. “The use of an eRideable rather than a car does represent a carbon reduction. “Beam estimated that 66,170kg of Co2 emissions have been saved during the trial period, through the 378,114km travelled on eRideables in the last 12 months.” The council reported they only received on average about one call a week about the e-scooters, while the visitor centre have not received any complaints and there had been minimal impact on ranger duties. A Beam spokesperson in late November said 180,000 trips had been taken on the e-scooters, with more than 430,000km travelled. Under Beam’s three-strike policy, 139 people have been issued with permanent bans. “The vast majority of riders are doing the right thing, and as the community have gotten used to e-scooters we’ve definitely seen a reduction in bad riding behaviour, which we see happening when riders understand the enforcement capabilities we have,” the spokesperson said. They said about 40 per cent of trips were for commuting purposes, while 30 per cent of users are aged 25-34, 20 per cent aged 35-44 and 23 per cent aged 45 and over. Geraldton became the first place to use Beam’s seated e-scooters when 50 of those devices were introduced to the existing 300-strong fleet in August. That has resulted in a 30 per cent increase in trip distances on average on a seated e-scooter, according to Beam. The possible extension of Beam’s hire service will be discussed at an agenda forum on Tuesday, before councillors vote on December 19. E-SCOOTER SURVEY REASONS SUPPORTIVE OF ERIDEABLES Great for tourism 88 per cent Adds to local vibrancy 74 per cent Ride to work option 66 per cent Reduces carbon emissions 57 per cent Reduces traffic congestion 54 per cent Ride to school option 51 per cent REASONS NOT SUPPORTIVE OF ERIDEABLES Block pathways 82 per cent Rider lack of courtesy 81 per cent Injury risk to pedestrians 75 per cent Look untidy 71 per cent Injury risk to riders 59 per cent Source: City of Greater Geraldton