Background
Council has released the iGO Intelligent Transport Systems Strategy which outlines the strategic approach to the deployment of technology to the road network.
As part of the iGO Intelligent Transport Systems Strategy Council has identified ride-ables such as electric scooters (e-scooters) as an area of investigation for short trips to help connect the community to public transport and nearby local areas.
From October 2020 to May 2021 council engaged with the community, industry, government and non-government agencies on the inclusion of e-scooters as a potential transport option in Ipswich.
- 65% of the community that responded to the survey are in favour of e-scooters and an e-scooter trial
- 63.66% of the community were in support of having a trial in Springfield Central. The sentiment was that the current infrastructure would accommodate a trial and connect residents to key destinations.
E-scooter trial in Springfield Central, Springfield Lakes and Spring Mountain from July 2023
The trial will help inform if e-scooters could be beneficial to residents and visitors of Ipswich on an ongoing basis.
A company called 'Beam' will provide the e-scooters for the allocated trial area and manage the trial. An evaluation of the trial will be completed to help inform the decision on e-scooter use as a form of transport in Ipswich.
Beam will have up to 125 e-scooters operating in Springfield Central, Springfield Lakes and Spring Mountain for the duration of the trial.
Residents were invited to participate at the Beam Safe Academy e-scooter event to officially launch the e-scooter trial on Saturday 8 July. The event was held at the Robelle Domain carpark next to the Orion Lagoon from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm. For further details visit Beam Safe Academy.
The trial journey so far
What you have shared:
Some of the main concerns based on community feedback has been regarding e-scooter parking placement or their usage near a business or residence.
We are continuously working with Beam to improve the operations of the e-scooter trial within Springfield Central.
Some items that we are discussing include:
- Minor modifications to restricted areas in the Beam App such as:
- Additional slow zones for businesses such as the University of Southern Queensland (e-scooter speed restricted to a maximum of 12km/h)
- No parking zones to prevent parking near the entrance to a business or residents property
- No parking zones to encourage located areas for parking
- Targeted parking educational campaigns within the Beam App
- Beam staff allocated to particular areas of need
E-scooter trial operating area
- Purple highlighted
area = e-scooter trial area
- Red highlighted area = no
parking zone
- Black highlighted area = no ride zone
Beam e-scooters is a trial that will be held in Springfield Central, Springfield Lakes and Spring Mountain. The Beam e-scooters will improve connectivity and provide an accessible and sustainable transport option for visitors and residents to explore more of Springfield Central, improving links between significant precincts and key destinations across the area.
Beam e-scooters will connect key services for local residents, including the Springfield Central Railway Station, Orion Springfield Central Shopping Centre, Mater Private Hospital, UniSQ and the Tafe Campus.
Beam’s e-scooters are equipped with state-of-the-art systems and geofencing technology, which ensures that they remain in the designated operating area. The e-scooters are speed restricted and prevented from riding and parking in particular areas.
The Beam e-scooters cannot be ridden between 10pm and 5am.
The map below shows the operating area highlighted in purple. The black areas are No Go Zones, where you can not ride the e-scooters.
A more detailed map, showing all zones, parking areas and no parking areas can be found within the Beam App.
As the operating areas and zones can change, it is recommended to use the map on the Beam app for full and up-to-date details about the operating area.
E-scooters are governed by state legislation.
This covers where you can ride, speed, age limits, and other legal requirements.
We highly recommend you read more about the rules in Queensland here as non-compliance can result in prosecution by the police.
Beam’s e-scooters can be accessed via the Beam app.
The Beam app can be downloaded from Apple and Google Play stores.
Instructions on how to get started are included in the app.
For information regarding price, please:
- download the Beam App (Apple or Google Play stores); or
- look online at Beam’s website (FAQs); or
- contact Beam directly via their website, email or call 1300 507 676.
Generally, Beam e-scooters cost $1 to unlock and from $0.51 per minute to hire. However, there may be changes to the pricing model (including subscriptions and other discounts).
Price may vary depending on demand to enable Beam to better meet rider needs.
Beam provides personal accident insurance and third party insurance for registered riders, provided the rider adheres to the relevant legislation governing e-scooters.
If you have been in an accident, please contact emergency services if required and Beam Customer Support on 1300 507 676 as soon as possible.
E-Scooters are allowed to be left in a safe location that is:
- Leaving a clear pathway for pedestrians and vehicle access;
- not in a No Parking Zone or No Ride Zone;
- in alignment with street furniture; and
- is upright.
If e-scooters are left in areas designated within the app as ‘no parking’ or ‘no riding’ zones, riders will continue to be charged until the e-scooter is moved out of the area.
The rider will then be warned or banned if the offense is serious enough.
Parking Spots can be found within the Beam App.
For general enquiries, you can contact Beam’s support team through the app or their website.
For enquiries regarding specific trips please do the following.
1. Enter "Riding History" in the main app menu.
2. Select the ride you have a question regarding.
3. Click on "Get Help”.
If you need to speak to someone in person, please call Beam’s 24/7 helpline: Toll-Free Number: 1300 507 676
You can also visit the Website: https://www.ridebeam.com/help or alternatively email: teamsupportau@ridebeam.com
If a Beam e-scooter is parked badly or causing an obstruction please advise Beam via their website, the Beam app or calling 1300 507 676.
Beam will deploy a marshal to move the e-scooter.
For concerns about personal e-scooters, please contact Policelink online or by calling 131 444.
If you have a concern or complaint about a rider on a Beam e-scooter, immediately register your complaint with Beam’s Customer Service on their website or by calling Beam's helpline on 1300 507 676.
Please provide the vehicle registration number (if possible) and as much detail as possible on the behaviour (ie, location, time, regularity).
If the rider is breaking the law, please also refer the matter to the police.
If the complaint is about a rider on a privately owned e-scooter, then please refer the matter to the police.
For all other private e-scooter concerns please contact Policelink online or by calling 131 444.
Rules
E-Scooter Rules
For everyone’s safety, riders must ride in a safe and respectful manner, especially around pedestrians.
It is important that anyone riding an e-scooter understands and knows the current rules. These can be found on the State Government website.
Some basic guidelines for riders in Queensland are below.
Personal e-scooters
In Queensland, e-scooters are categorised as rideables and riders are required to abide by rules and regulations for personal mobility devices.
Personal mobility device riders (ie: e-scooter riders) who break the road rules will be given the same fines as motorists.
For further information visit the Queensland State Government website.
Feedback
What you said about e-scooters
