Key locations across the Noosa region have seen a pop of purple introduced thanks to a new partnership with an e-scoter company.
Beam has launched 200 e-scooters available for hire within Tewantin, Noosaville, Sunshine Beach, Peregian Beach and Noosa Heads.
The partnership will contribute to the region’s transport options and will offer multi-day hire, plus a locals’ pass featuring discounted rates for Noosa residents.
As an app-based service, the purple e-scooters are be available from partner locations including Noosa Lakes Resort, Noosa Marina, Noosa Sun Motel and Bounce Noosa.
The e-scooters can then be parked at any partner location following a trip.
Already operating in Port Douglas, Mackay and Cairns, Beam general manager Tom Cooper said he was confident operations would contribute positively to Noosa’s economy.
He said six out of every 10 Beam trips in Australia involved a purchase at a local business.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with members of the local tourism industry to bring a new mode of transport to residents and visitors of Noosa,” Mr Cooper said.
“With our other tourism-focused operations in other Queensland cities … we know that riders see more of the city when on an e-scooter, and businesses see increased expenditure as a result of this.”
Noosa Marina general manager Warren Smith said he was pleased to be part of the scooter launch with a convenient pick-up and drop-off hub at the popular Tewantin location.
“This will be a great transport alternative when it’s too hot to walk, utilising the bike path infrastructure already in place,” he said.
Each scooter features a tip-resistant dual kickstand, a Bluetooth-locked helmet and swappable batteries.
Mr Cooper said safety was a top priority.
“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,” he said.
Its Beam Safe Academy educates riders on local riding rules and safe handling of e-scooters. This includes a pre-trip in-app safety briefing and quiz.
Beam safety ambassadors will also patrol high-traffic areas.
Geofencing technology will ensure riders remain inside the approved e-scooter operational zones, while speed will be adjusted automatically when moving into designated slow zones.
High pedestrian areas such as Hastings Street will be designated no-ride zones.
Noosa Council has developed a voluntary code of conduct to provide a set of operating guidelines for commercial operators and outlets of personal mobility devices (PMD), including e-scooters.
Acting infrastructure services director Shaun Walsh said the primary objective of the code was to prioritise public safety and ensure effective operations across the shire, while preserving the “unique charm and character of Noosa”.
The code covers no-go zones, go-slow zones and operating hours, and outlines requirements for where the scooters should be parked.
Mr Walsh said PMD hirers were not permitted to leave scooters on council land.
“These e-scooter schemes are certainly a convenient, flexible and sustainable mode of transport in urban areas, however we want to ensure the smooth integration of PMDs into Noosa Shire,” he said.
“We will continue to monitor operations and encourage hirers to adhere to state government rules and regulations for PMD use.”
Mr Walsh said the code of conduct had been developed in consultation with the Hastings Street Association and local laws officers.
Beam offers pay-as-you-go rates from $1 to unlock an e-scooter and 55 cents per minute, all via its app.
There are single and multi-day (three- to 10-day) subscription passes and a Local Resident Pass featuring discounted rates.
The Beam app is available to download from the App Store and Google Play.
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