Beam Brings Share Scooters to Three WA Cities
Bunbury, WA
Global micromobility company Beam will bring shared e-mobility operations to WA this summer, with operations in three cities after law changes allowed the use of e-scooters in that State.
The app-based service will be available in Esperance and Rockingham for the first time, as shared e-mobility trials, and will be returning to Bunbury.
Beam previously launched e-scooter services in Bunbury last year but operations were suspended because of COVID-19.
The services in all three cities will offer pay-as-you-go rates.
“The e-scooters provided a great buzz around Bunbury for both residents and visitors when they were initially launched last year,” City of Bunbury Mayor Jaysen Miguel said.
“The e-scooters provide a convenient, affordable, fun and environmentally-friendly way for our community and visitors to move around the city and visit our amazing attractions, shops and restaurants.”
The Shire of Esperance President, Councillor Ian Mickel, said the introduction of e-scooter shared services “ticks so many boxes for us in terms of sustainability, tourism and economic development”.
Beam’s Australia/New Zealand General Manager Tom Cooper said the company looked forward to working collaboratively with local businesses and councils to bring Beam e-scooters to residents and visitors.
“As we look forward to expanding our footprint across Western Australia, with the introduction of new e-rideables legislation, we are also committed to developing collaborative partnerships with local community members and organisations, and engage in discussions around the safe operation of e-scooters to ensure the safety of both riders, pedestrians and other road users.”
The Beam services will include:
- Beam’s Saturn e-scooter fleet: Featuring tip-resistant kickstands, electric and mechanical brakes, a bluetooth-locked helmet, and swappable batteries
- Beam Booster for retail support, utilising a blend of GPS-technology, in-app notifications and partner incentives to help stimulate economic activity at the local community level. Participation is free and applications are open for Esperance, Bunbury and Rockingham businesses
- Virtual docking, using technology and GPS to direct riders to appropriate parking spots through a combination of guidance, incentives and disincentives.
Beam you are going to be sued very shortly, I have now encountered twice within a week in Bunbury people getting on your ebikes, no helmets and driving on the road around our huge round about in front of cars, both times the cars have had to slam their brakes on. Today it was 3 young girls on one at same time , no helmets, complete disregard for traffic rules, if one gets killed, just think about the poor driver of the car, the parents will come after you big time, oh talking about time it was only 4.30;pm, the large round a bout is in front of Coles centre point and old station tourist bereau , I know you have to lock out them getting into parts of the city, well I suggest you lock that area out, oh the second one was a drunk at 8.30 Saturday night, the car had to really slam on their brakes
Hi Barry, Thanks for your feedback. We’ve forwarded your message to Beam representatives to make sure they see your comments. Safety is certainly a key issue for share programs and companies are doing a lot to address this issue.
Hi Barry,
Thanks for your comments. Safety is certainly our topmost priority – the safety of our riders but also of the broader community. We are committed to continuing and increasing rider education and also enforcing safe riding and parking on our platform. Should you witness further anti-social or illegal behaviour, I do encourage you to report it in to us via ridebeam.com/help with details on when and where, as we are able to pinpoint offending riders. We then go through a ‘three-strikes’ re-education and/or suspension process depending on the violation.
Once again, we appreciate your feedback.
Kind regards,
Michelle