E-scooters set to hit Albany streets as Beam Mobility announces launch date for 12-month trial

E-scooters will hit Albany streets on Friday with Beam Mobility announcing the launch of a 12-month trial and revealing the costs of hiring its purple e-scooters.

Beam Mobility is one of two companies, along with Bird Rides, which was given the green light last month by City of Albany council to run competing 12-month trials of hireable e-scooters.

The trials would allow each company to deploy up to 200 of the e-scooters at a time.

Last week, the companies held a co-design workshop at Retravision Stadium to teach people how to ride the e-scooters safely and gather feedback about any community concerns.

The workshop, run in conjunction with the City of Albany, was a condition of approval for the 12-month trials.

The feedback gathered at the workshop was set to contribute to a final “e-scooter program” — an operating plan to guide aspects of the trials, including preferred parking areas, slow zones, no-ride zones and operating areas.

On Thursday, Beam Mobility revealed in a statement that its Albany trial would start on Friday, with up 200 of its purple e-scooters to be rolled out in the coming weeks.

The company will host a free safety event near the Albany Entertainment Centre from 11am to 2pm on Friday.

“Beam’s industry-leading e-scooters will be available for use 24-hours a day, seven days a week, featuring affordable pay-as-you-go rates, with a $1 unlock fee and $0.49 per minute,” Beam said.

“Riders will be able to see the full riding area within the app, which includes the city centre, suburbs such as Yakamia, Mira Mar and Spencer Park, Middleton Beach, Bayonet Head and Emu Point.

“‘Virtual’ parking docks will be seen within the app, with riders directed to appropriate parking spots through in-app guidance and incentives.

“Parking spots will be created across the City including at key local attractions like Middleton Beach, the CBD, the Albany Entertainment Centre, the Albany waterfront and Emu Point.”

The e-scooters will be available for hire via the Beam app, available for download from Apple and Google Play stores.

According to Beam Mobility, riders will be subject to a “three-strikes policy”, with suspensions for bad riding or parking offences.

Those caught riding dangerously or breaking the law face permanent bans.

“Safety for both riders and pedestrians is our biggest priority, and our industry-leading e-scooters feature tip-resistant dual kickstands, a helmet with every ride, and an in-app safety quiz to educate riders on how to ride safely,” Beam Mobility’s Tom Cooper said.

“Our industry-leading e-scooters are built for sharing, and feature automatic speed and geofencing controls, ensuring riders are riding in accordance with the riding rules.

“We believe that micromobility is a transport solution that can work for cities of all sizes and demographics, aiding in easing car congestion and ensuring affordable, safe and sustainable transportation for all residents.

“(We) thank the City of Albany for trusting us to deliver this new transport mode to the local community in Albany.”

Beam Mobility — which already has e-scooters in operation in Geraldton, Bunbury, Esperance and Rockingham — expects its Albany trial to create 15 local jobs.