Have your say on e-scooters

After a six-month trial of e-scooters in Hervey Bay, the Fraser Coast Regional Council wants to know residents’ reactions.

E-scooters have become popular as an affordable and environmentally friendly mode of transport and commercial operations are now in place in Bundaberg, Brisbane and Townsville.

“Council approved an application from international share-ride company Bird for a six-month trial of a commercial e-scooter service in Hervey Bay,” Cr Daniel Sanderson said.

“Hervey Bay was the company’s first site in Australia.

“The trial provided a boost to the local economy as Bird leased a building and employed local staff to maintain their fleet of 300 to 400 e-scooters.”

The e-scooters were managed through computer programming and were “geofenced”, to ensure the devices were speed limited and could not be taken outside of the designated trial areas.

They were limited to 25 kmph in most areas and 10 kmph in highly populated places such as around the Urangan Pier, the Esplanade at Torquay and Scarness, the All Abilities Playground and WetSide.

“Council wants to hear residents’ thoughts of the e-scooters during the trial,” Cr Sanderson said.

“The feedback will be very important when Council comes to discuss the future of commercial e-scooter ride sharing businesses across the region.”

To have your say CLICK HERE to complete the online survey.

Community consultation is open now and closes on Sunday, May 15.