Australia

Beam partners with tourism operators to launch e-scooter operations in Cairns

Beam partners with tourism operators to launch e-scooter operations in Cairns

[24 November 2022] Global micromobility company Beam has partnered with over 15 tourism operators in Cairns to bring shared micromobility to the city.  

150 purple e-scooters will be deployed at partner locations and available for hire from 30 November within Cairns Central, Cairns North, Edge Hill and Parramatta Park, with the full riding area viewable in the app.

Locations include Shangri-La The Marina, Sunshine Tower Hotel and Reef Palms Apartments, where riders will find Beam’s e-scooters available for hire. The e-scooters can then be parked at any partner location following a trip.

The app-based service will feature affordable pay-as-you-go rates ($1 to unlock, 65 cents per minute) and multi-day subscription passes, ‘virtual docking’ (fixed parking) at Beam’s partner locations, and an in-app and in person safety school for rider and community education.

A free in-person ‘Beam Safe Academy’ safety school will be held on Thursday 1 December at McKenzie Street Parkland to teach riders the riding rules, and how to ride safely.

Beam’s operations will bring not only access to shared e-scooters for local residents and visitors to the city, but also stimulate the local economy, with 6 out of every 10 Beam trips in Australia involving a purchase at a local business.

Beam will deploy its ‘Saturn’ e-scooter, featuring high precision geofencing, 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.

With rider and community safety at the forefront, Beam’s three-strikes policy will be in place, ensuring those not adhering to the riding rules are suspended from the platform.

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

“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 Cairns.
“With our other tourism-focussed operations in cities such as Port Douglas and Mackay, we know that riders see more of the city when on an e-scooter, and businesses see increased expenditure as a result of this. We are confident that operations will contribute positively to Cairns’ local economy.
“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.”

Tourism and Transport Forum Australia CEO Margy Osmond said:

“This is a fantastic new initiative to boost tourism in North Queensland, improving the experience of visitors from across Australia and overseas.
“Using Beam e-scooters, visitors will be able to see more local attractions and are more likely to spend money on shopping and dining out, benefiting the local economy.
“With travellers increasingly concerned about sustainability, Beam’s electric scooters offer an affordable, efficient mode of transport without any carbon or noise pollution.”

Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O'Neill congratulated Beam on its expansion into the Cairns market:  

"As we continue our focus on becoming a smart green economy, having a more environmentally friendly mode of transport is a welcomed addition to our transport offering."

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns’s Communications Manager Sarah Nicholson, said:

“We are excited to see Beam bringing e-scooters to Tropical North Queensland.
“This innovative mode of transport will support tourism and the region’s economy by making it easier for visitors to get around the city and see more of this dynamic destination.
“We suspect the Beam scooters will be particularly popular on steamy wet-season days when a scoot will save our guests walking.
Sustainability is significant to Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns, so the fact the electric self-drive scooters promise a green option is a bonus.”

The Beam offering will include:

  • Beam’s Saturn 5 e-scooter fleet: Featuring tip-resistant dual kickstands, front suspension, triple brakes, a bluetooth-locked helmet, and swappable batteries
  • Beam Safety Academy: Beam’s flagship rider education and enforcement program will include in-person training courses, in-app rider education, a low acceleration option for novice riders, and Safety Coaches patrolling the streets to enforce safe riding.
  • Virtual Docking: Fixed parking docks will be created virtually, using technology and GPS to direct riders to appropriate parking spots at Beam’s partner locations around Cairns.

Beam is the largest shared micromobility provider in Queensland, with operations in Brisbane, Townsville, Port Douglas, Magnetic Island and Mackay.

Local businesses interested in partnering with Beam to have e-scooters on their property can lodge an expression of interest at bit.ly/BeamMobility

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