The first shared e-scooter trial in the Sydney metropolitan area has successfully reached a one-month milestone.
So says the Georges River Council which launched the trial on January 10 with 60 Beam e-scooters in Kogarah’s town centre for users 16 years and above.
The council’s e-scooter trial Local Working Group, including Transport for NSW, Beam, NSW Police, NSW Health, St George Business Chamber, bus operators and council staff, discussed the trial results captured after one-month of operation.
The initial stage has proved popular with residents and visitors, with 2023 rides in the first month, averaging more than a kilometre per ride.
Results also showed high parking compliance.
Beam has received two requests to relocate e-scooters that were not returned to the correct designated parking areas, showing high rider compliance with the riding rules.
The results also show no accidents and most users parking the e-scooters correctly.
The Kogarah trial has seen 1071 unique e-scooter users, of which 137 were new visitors from outside the local council area.
According to Beam data, popular routes include Jubilee Avenue, Bellevue Street, Kensington Street and Belgrave Street.
Data shows strong support of first and last mile travel in Kogarah, with about 20% of trips taken starting at a train station, and some15% ending at a train station.
Businesses are also embracing the new transport technology, requesting parking stations outside their shops as an added convenience for customers.
Beam is employing its ‘Pedestrian Shield’ technology on the Kogarah e-scooter fleet for greater rider enforcement.
The new surface detection technology will show when e-scooters are used on footpaths and slow the e-scooter down to a stop.
Georges River Council mayor Sam Elmir is delighted with the trial results and management.
“It is fantastic to see our local community and visitors positively embracing micromobility in this Kogarah trial,” he says.
“I have spoken with community members and they have applauded this trial commenting it’s a fun, efficient and more cost-effective way to get around than using a car or ride-share companies.
““While it’s been a positive experience so far, we want to remind riders it is illegal to ride an e-scooter on footpaths and without a helmet.
The council’s ‘Your Say’ community consultation has received 30 responses from shared e-scooter users and non-users.
