A 12-month e-scooter trial is currently being undertaken in Kogarah by Georges River Council in partnership with e-scooter provider, Beam.
This is the first council-led e-scooter trial in Metro Sydney and the sixth trial underway as part of the New South Wales shared e-scooter scheme.
Residents and visitors 16 and over can hire one of 60 purple Beam e-scooters and helmets and scoot to existing bus and train stations, St George Hospital, St George TAFE, Jubilee Stadium, community services and cafes in Kogarah Town Square.
For the Kogarah trial, Beam introduced the industry-leading Saturn 5 e-scooter, with features like wireless phone charging and auditory alerts, as well as improved geo-fencing capabilities to ensure safe operation of micromobility alongside other modes of transport.
The geofencing technology controls where e-scooters are ridden and how fast they can travel, as well as ensuring they are parked appropriately.
The shared e-scooters will be limited to 20km/h on roads within the trial area which have a speed limit of 50km/h or less. E-scooters are not permitted on footpaths.
Currently, only e-scooters provided through a shared scheme are permitted for use in approved trial areas, and privately owned e-scooters cannot be used in public areas in New South Wales.
Council has established a shared e-scooter Local Working Group with authorities, including Transport for NSW, NSW Health, St George Police, St George Local Business Chamber, local bus services and Council representatives to manage the trial.
Georges River Council Mayor, Sam Elmir, said that it is very exciting to have a shared e-scooter trial in Kogarah.
“It was encouraging to see the level of interest from residents and visitors at the two free Beam Safe Academy e-scooter sessions at Kogarah Town Square recently,” Mayor Elmir said.
“We are eager to see results of usage and riders’ feedback captured from Beam, and also feedback from residents and visitors through Council’s Your Say community consultation which is now open.
“Public feedback will give us an understanding of the future viability of e-scooters in the Georges River area, and help inform the future of micro mobility in New South Wales.
“I’d like to remind people to ride safely and responsibly, to wear a helmet and abide by the rules.”
Image credit: AbdulRazakLatif/shutterstock.com
