Beam e-scooters to deploy around Cairns, Cairns North, Edge Hill and Parramatta Park
A multinational electric scooter company has ridden straight over the top of council and will introduce e-scooters into Cairns, despite previous objection from the Cairns mayor.
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A multinational electric scooter company has bypassed council and will introduce around 150 e-scooters into Cairns despite previous objection from the Cairns mayor.
Beam scooters will deploy 150 purple e-scooters around Cairns, Cairns North, Edge Hill and Parramatta Park from November 30.
The scooters will be available at Shangri-La The Marina, Sunshine Tower Hotel and Reef Palms Apartments. Beam was able to avoid going to Cairns Regional Council for approval because the charge ports are located on private property.
“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,” Beam ANZ general manager Tom Cooper said.
“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.”
Cairns councillor Amy Eden said she did not know much detail about the plans.
“I think it will be received with mixed emotions and at this stage, not knowing the detail, it’s hard to comment further,” Cr Eden said.
Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning told the Cairns Post in July scooters were not right for the city.
“Council’s position has been and remains at the moment that there will be no scootering,” he said in July.
“We’ve got to think about the safety of tourists and kids.”
When Cr Manning was asked about Beam scooters coming to Cairns he said it should be fine if the company follows the rules and if it requires intervention council will get involved.
The council previously knocked back Lime’s proposal to operate in the CBD in 2019.
Beam e-scooters debuted in Port Douglas back in August 2021, and while the idea has been floated in Cairns, it was quickly pushed back. This new model would mean the e-scooters would need to be returned to the dock on the properties.
Despite previous objection from council, tourism officials have been quick to jump on board.
“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,” Tourism and Transport Forum Australia chief executive Margy Osmond said.
Shangri-La The Marina Cairns communications manager Sarah Nicholson said sustainability was significant to the hotel and the green option was a bonus.
“We suspect the Beam scooters will be particularly popular on steamy wet-season days when a scoot will save our guests walking,” she said.
Beam will hold Beam Safe Academy safety school on Thursday, December 1 at McKenzie Street Parkland to teach riders the rules.
Cr Manning has been contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Beam e-scooters to deploy around Cairns, Cairns North, Edge Hill and Parramatta Park
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