• Beam will bring up to 300 shared e-scooters to the City of Armidale in September

[21 August 2023] Australia’s largest micromobility company Beam will bring its brand of community-first micromobility to Armidale in early September, with 300 e-scooters to be introduced to the city. 

Beam’s operations will bring not only access to shared e-scooters for local residents and visitors, but also the creation of local jobs to manage operations in the local community. 

The app-based service will feature affordable pay-as-you-go rates, ‘virtual docking’ to protect city amenity, and an in-app and in person safety school for rider and community education.

Beam will deploy its Saturn 5 e-scooters, featuring safety-first technology to support both rider safety and that of other road users, including GPS tracking, geofencing and speed limiting technology to ensure safe integration into the city’s transport network. 

The e-scooters will also feature tip-resistant dual kickstands, front suspension, triple brakes, wireless charging phone holders, a bluetooth-locked helmet, and swappable batteries.

High precision geofencing will be in place, ensuring riders remain inside the approved e-scooter operational zones, and swift action as the rider moves between zones with differing restrictions such as ‘slow zones’, where speed is automatically slowed, and ‘no parking zones’.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Armidale Regional Council to deliver the city’s first shared micromobility operations, and to bring our industry leading e-scooters to the region,”

‍said Beam’s General Manager (ANZ) Tom Cooper. 

“Over ten million shared e-scooter and e-bike trips have been taken on Beams all across the country, with data from our other Australian operations showing a shift from cars to a preference for e-scooters for shorter trips under 5 km. 

“As we prepare to commence our operations in Armidale, we are committed to forming partnerships with local community members and organisations, and engaging in discussions around the safe operation of e-scooters to ensure the safety of riders, pedestrians and other road users.

“We know e-scooters are new to the community, and we are committed to working closely with the local community to ensure riders know their responsibilities when on an e-scooter. 

“We are confident that our experience across other Australian markets will ensure operations are a success.” 

Beam’s operational area and pricing information will be released ahead of the trial’s commencement.

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