New e-scooter hire business coming to Hervey Bay

Fraser Coast residents and visitors will be able to continue to rent e-scooters for short trips around Hervey Bay with Council set to provide Beam Mobility with a 12-month commercial permit.

Cr Daniel Sanderson said e-scooters had proven to be a popular mode of transport during an initial trial in Hervey Bay, particularly for 18 to 24 year old residents travelling to and from work.

“E-scooters offer a low cost, environmentally friendly transport alternative and also lead to a reduction in traffic,” he said.

“In July 2021, Council approved an application from international share-ride company Bird for a trial of a commercial e-scooter service in Hervey Bay.

“The trial saw more than 50,000 rides taken in the first six months and provided a boost to the local economy, with many residents and visitors trying and enjoying using the scooters.

“Council recently called for interested companies to submit an expression of interest for an e-scooter hire commercial permit on the Fraser Coast, taking into account feedback we received during the trial on issues such as rider behaviour, parking and the use of helmets.

“To ensure acceptable public health and safety standards are met, Council decided to allow one commercial permit for shared e-scooters for up to 250 devices in Hervey Bay.

“The tender evaluation panel has recommended Beam Mobility as the preferred operator as they were assessed as the most capable of addressing community concerns. The commercial permit will be valid for 12 months, with the potential for two one-year extensions upon review.”

The e-scooters are managed through computer programming and are “geofenced”, which ensures the devices are speed limited and cannot be taken outside of the designated areas.

Commercial e-scooters for hire will be limited to Hervey Bay at this stage, with the Bird trial to cease and Beam Mobility to start operating instead within weeks. Council will work with Beam to consider a potential trial in Maryborough in the future.

Beam Mobility currently operates commercial e-scooters throughout the Asia-Pacific region, with locations in Queensland including Brisbane, Port Douglas, Townsville, Magnetic Island and Mackay.

New Queensland Government laws around e-scooter use took effect on 1 November, which provide for lower speeds on footpaths, increased fines for dangerous offences and mandated bells in addition to helmets and lights. More details are available at www.qld.gov.au/streetsmarts