Beam scooters stir council debate in lead-up to Geraldton trial extension call

The CBD, Beresford, Mahomets and Bluff Point are the most popular areas of use in Geraldton’s e-scooter trial, which draws to a close this month. Next week, City of Greater Geraldton councillors will decide whether or not to implement a two-year extension to the trial. At Tuesday’s agenda forum meeting, staff from hire service operator Beam presented a compelling argument to extend the e-scooters presence in the city. Beam’s engagement manager, Mia Onorato-Sartari presented data gathered by the company over the course of the 15-month Geraldton trial. More than 443,000km have been travelled by the e-scooters, and the most popular user suburbs have been the CBD, Beresford, Mahomets and Bluff Point. Beam WA operations manager Stuart O’Callaghan said studies in other regional locations had shown Beam users spent 30 per cent more in local businesses as it made retail districts more accessible. The e-scooters have become a common sight across the city and suburbs since the Beam trial started in September last year. A recent community survey was conducted, which had received almost 2000 responses, and 67 per cent of those respondents agree the council should allow the hire of e-scooters in Geraldton. In a council report, it is noted Beam estimates that 66,170kg of Co2 emissions have been saved during the trial period. Mr O’Callaghan confirmed employment with the company was seasonal, but during the busiest period there were 15 employees. The safety of the scooters has been a source of angst for some residents, pointing fingers at the speed, use of helmets, and sharing pathways with pedestrians. Councillor Simon Keemink asked if there was a fine for riders not wearing helmets? , which was answered by Mr O’Callaghan. “There currently isn’t a fine but you do receive a strike,”Mr Callaghan said. “”We have rangers and marshals around the city swapping batteries and they can see all rides live on a map, so if they see you without a helmet - you receive a strike.” If a rider receives three strikes, they are banned from the app whether this is a temporary one month ban, or a permanent ban. Beam have issued 140 permanent bans. A $10 fine is issued to a rider if they do not return the helmet, and under a new rule introduced in November, riders who park their scooter inappropriately will receive an $8 parking infringement. “We have seen a significant change in the way people are parking their scooters,” Mr O’Callaghan said. Councillor Aaron Horsman asked if it was possible to find out the number of scooter injuries from the hospital, but CEO Ross McKim said the hospital did not have scooters listed as a category for injuries and the data was unavailable. Cr Horsman went on to ask if there was a possibility for scooter hubs to be established, rather than having them scattered across the city. CEO Ross McKim said any locations where Beam scooters were becoming troublesome should be reported to the City, who will then report it to Beam. “Beam have been very responsive and receptive to comments and questions from the City,” Mr McKim said. The potential extension of Beam’s presence in Geraldton will be voted on by councillors at its ordinary meeting on December 19.