The Brisbane Council has decided to put a ban on the e-scooter operator, Beam Mobility. Source: Michael Coghlan via Flickr
The Brisbane Council has decided to put a ban on the e-scooter operator Beam Mobility due to alleged breaches of its operational capacity.
The Brisbane Council found that Beam exceeded its capacity by placing approximately 500 extra e-scooters on Brisbane streets.
The company now allegedly owes $330,000 in unpaid fees to the local government.
Ryan Murphy, the Transport Chair Councillor said, “Beam devices will progressively be removed, and council will now seek to replace Beam with a new e-mobility operator as soon as practical.”
Beam has denied “assertions” made by the council, and a Beam spokesperson said the cancellation of the contract was “highly premature”.
E-scooters, known for their eco-friendly capabilities, were introduced to Brisbane because of their capability to revolutionise transportation.
E-scooters have acted as a potential partial solution for Australia’s high levels of greenhouse gas emissions that are produced by cars.
Despite their benefits, the incorrect use of e-scooters has caused various problems.
Since the introduction of e-scooters, Queensland’s emergency department has experienced an increase of patients that come into care due to e-scooter related incidents.
Riders have experienced facial and wrist fractures, brain injuries, and even fatality due to misuse.
The incorrect use of e-scooters and reported community disruption have driven the Sunshine Coast Council to remove approximately 400 e-scooters in August, ultimately ending its e-scooter hire scheme.
A survey showed that 60 per cent of Sunshine Coast residents wanted e-scooters to end.
“Based on the overall review, council agreed to end the trial on September 30, 2024, and reassess the Sunshine Coast’s readiness for e-transport hire offering in 2026,” said Ms Shanagh Jacobs, a group executive for customer and planning services.
Sunshine Coast’s decision came after Melbourne’s decision to cancel contracts with Lime and Neuron — two leading e-scooter companies in Australia.
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said, “I am fed up with the bad behaviour that has been putting our community at risk.”
From 24 September 2024, shared e-scooters will no longer operate in Melbourne’s urban areas.
Lime will continue to operate in Brisbane, while the council ended its contract with Neuron earlier this year.
Personal e-scooters are illegal in Sydney while the Shared E-scooter Trial application is still being processed by Sydney’s council; however, shared e-scooters are permitted in several locations in Western Sydney.
“The trial is restricted to shared scheme e-scooters, so we can guarantee the safety parameters of each device,” said the Minister for Active Transport.
Perth is still overseeing a two-year trial with Neuron and Beam which started in March 2023.
