Geraldton’s e-scooter popularity continues while Beam keeps hard stance on offenders

Geraldton’s e-scooter craze continues to grow, while the company behind the trial is following through on its warning to reprimand riders who do the wrong thing. The 300 purple e-scooters, which are part of Beam’s 15-month trial in Geraldton, have been ridden 46,000km since the trial’s launch two weeks ago, an average of 153km per e-scooter. “The community have really embraced the use of e-scooters, and they are offering thousands of Geraldton residents an alternate mode of transport for their short trips,” said Beam head of brand and communications Michelle Leong. Beam said it had handed out eight strikes and two permanent bans for those not riding and parking in accordance with its rules. Under Beam’s three-strikes system, repeat offenders are given harsher financial penalties and suspensions until they are permanently banned. “We want riders to know that riding and parking safely is their responsibility, and that we will be enforcing the rules,” Ms Leong said. An investigation is ongoing into one e-scooter that was reported missing last week. It is believed to have been stolen after it was taken from Fifth Street, Wonthella, without being hired, and tracked to a location in Moresby. To date, the missing e-scooter has not been recovered. Beam said it was working closely with Geraldton police to identify anti-social behaviour, providing them with access to Beam’s 24-hour GPS trackers.