FAQs

Why is Georges River Council participating in the trial?

• Georges River Council is participating in the shared e-scooter trial to see if this transport option is a good fit for local use.
• The trial will also assist with identifying active transport routes within the Kogarah Precinct. The data will be utilised by Council to determine potential new shared paths and cycleways to be implemented in the future.

Where can e-scooters be ridden in Georges River Council?

• Beam e-scooters can only be used on selected roads within Kogarah, and will also allow riders to travel along Railway Parade between Allawah and Carlton Station.
• A map of the operating area can be viewed on Council's website Georges River Council YourSay and on Beam App.

How many e-scooters are in the trial area?

• There will be 60 Beam e-scooters placed throughout the trial area on launch with potential to increase or decrease based on their usage.

How long will the trial run for?

• The trial will run for a minimum of 12 months.

What are the trial conditions?

The shared e-scooter trial will be constantly reviewed by Council and Beam to identify and address all safety risks.

• Beam e-scooters can only be used on selected roads in the trial area.
• It is illegal to ride e-scooters on footpaths.
• Privately owned e-scooters are not allowed in public areas, including NSW roads or road-related areas (including in trial areas).
• The minimum age for use is 16 years old.
• You do not need a driver licence to ride an e-scooter.
• The shared e-scooters will be limited to 20km/h on roads which have a speed limit up to 50km/h. 
• Riders must wear an approved bicycle helmet at all times when riding an e-scooter.
• Riders must use the e-scooter lights when riding in darkness or hazardous weather conditions.
• A BAC limit of 0.05 applies when riding an e-scooter. If you are drinking, don’t ride an e-scooter.
• E-scooter riders are also subject to the same drug driving offences as motor vehicle drivers. You cannot have illicit drugs present in your system or ride while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Can multiple riders utilise one e-scooter?

• No, only one person is allowed to ride a shared e-scooter at any one time.
• No tandem riding is allowed, and this includes with children.

What times can I use e-scooters in the trial area?

• In most areas, e-scooters can be used from 5am until 12am (midnight). This is in line with Transport for NSW guidelines.
• In some locations, such as areas with poor lighting, there may be additional time restrictions. These areas will work in a similar way to no-ride areas. The e-scooter will automatically slow down and notify you in these areas.

Are all riders insured?

• In the event of an incident involving injury or damage, riders can submit a claim under Beams insurance.  The claim will be reviewed under the terms and conditions of the relevant policy.
• If you need to report an incident, or a badly parked e-scooter, please refer to their website https://www.ridebeam.com/au .

Where can e-scooters park?

• E-scooters can be parked anywhere within the trial for a short period of time. Beam will relocate the e-scooter to a dedicated parking bay should a e-scooter be badly parked or left unattended for an extended period of time.
• Beam has chosen designated parking areas to incentivise good parking etiquette within the trial area.
• All e-scooter riders are required to submit an ‘End of Trip’ photo trip to ensure e-scooters are not parked badly.

How will speed be managed?

• Within the trial area, Beam e-scooters has been programmed to travel at a maximum speed of 20km/h.
• When entering a slow zone, the e-scooters will automatically be reduced to 15km/h.
• Beam e-scooter voice guidance technology will notify users when approaching a slow zones, no-go zones and end of the trial zone.

How much does it cost to use the e-scooters?

• For the most up to date pricing, please refer to the Beam app or website.

How is the trial monitored?

• Georges River Council has organised a monthly Working Group to manage and resolve issues that may emerge from this trial and moreover, to provide updates to TfNSW.

The Group has been convened to bring together local authorities including TfNSW, NSW Health, St George Police, St George Business Chamber, Bus Services, Beam e-scooter shared scheme provider and Council representatives to manage the trial at the local level, provide regular updates to Transport, resolve matters where possible and escalate significant issues, especially safety concerns raised. 

The NSW Government has taken the time to consider the safest possible trial submissions, that balances the risks and benefits of shared e-scooters.

As part of this trial, Beam’s shared e-scooters will only be allowed on roads which have a speed limit of 50 km/h or less. It is illegal to ride e-scooters on footpaths.  

Riders are required to be 16 years old and over, wear an approved bike helmet, and will only be able to travel at a maximum speed of 20 km/h on a road.

Riders are also subject to the same drink and drug driving laws as motor vehicle drivers, and if they are caught drink or drug riding, serious penalties apply.  

The trial area has also undergone a Road Safety Audit which has helped Council identify and address any safety risks.

Any safety incident involving a shared e-scooter will be reported to Transport for NSW.

In the event of serious or critical safety incident (such as crash), NSW Police will be involved.

Beam has appropriate insurance cover for their devices, includes cover for riders, personal accident insurance, third-party insurance and public liability insurance. Insurance outcomes are always dependent on the specific incident.

Stringent measures are set up by the provider, Beam, to ensure the safe and responsible operation of e-scooters.

Beam e-scooters are able to be easily located through the Beam App, ensuring they can be found if they are left abandoned or in an inappropriate area.  

To ensure locals can utilise the e-scooters from their residence, e-scooters can also be parked in any local streets for a short period of time should the e-scooter be parked correctly. Beam will relocate the e-scooter if parked badly within a short time frame. 

Beam has targeted No Parking Zones and on the ground marshal coverage 7 days a week.

Riders and non-riders are encouraged to report any concerns or badly parked e-scooters via the Beam mobile app or website via  https://www.ridebeam.com/help. On-ground marshals will organise the e-scooters to be relocated to a designated parking area within a short time frame.

Georges River Council has set up a Local Working Group to manage and address potential or emerging issues.

Privately owned e-scooters are not allowed in public areas, including NSW roads or road-related areas to ensure the trial can be carefully controlled and monitored.