Toowoomba on radar for e-scooter hire companies as council explores CBD trial

One of the world’s most well-known hire e-scooter companies has flagged a move to Toowoomba in the future. But the concept has divided residents, with many expressing concerns around safety.

Lime Scooters could be coming to Toowoomba soon. Picture Kris Krug

Another hire e-scooter operator has expressed interest in expanding to Toowoomba, with the concept dividing residents over whether they would be good for the CBD.

Lime Scooters, which operates in several cities across Queensland, joined competitors Neuron and Beam in confirming it wanted to bring e-scooters to Toowoomba as an expansion area.

“Lime is committed to serving Queensland and as we review our expansion priorities in the region, we are certainly open to potentially providing our shared electric vehicles in Toowoomba some time in the future,” a spokesman said.

It comes just days after the Toowoomba Regional Council revealed it had been approached by operators and was considering a trial of hire electric vehicles.

“A number of e-scooter hire companies have recently approached council with informal expressions of interest to service Toowoomba,” infrastructure portfolio leader Councillor Melissa Taylor said.

“We are exploring how e-scooters could be safely trialled in Toowoomba to evaluate the scheme’s feasibility and to gauge community interest.

“The concept has previously been presented to council for their consideration.”

Lola Burette from Belgium (front) and Jeanne Marteau from France with Neuron Scooters at New Farm Riverwalk. Picture: Richard Walker

While the transport mode has been popular where it’s been rolled out, questions remain over safety for both riders and pedestrians.

More than 600 people had to be hospitalised after falling from hired e-scooters around Brisbane in the 18 months to May last year, according to data collected from three major hospitals.

While 58 per cent of Chronicle readers polled said they supported the concept, some residents expressed concern.

“They are a danger to pedestrians in Brisbane and elsewhere, as well as an eyesore when discarded around the streets,” one reader said.

EARLIER: E-scooters could be coming to Toowoomba’s streets, with a number of companies looking at rolling out hire vehicles in the future.

The Toowoomba Regional Council confirmed it had been approached by operators about to introducing the business model, which is now in most cities as well as regional centres like Townsville and Bundaberg.

“A number of e-scooter hire companies have recently approached council with informal expressions of interest to service Toowoomba,” infrastructure portfolio leader Councill Melissa Taylor said.

“Potential plans to introduce an e-scooter hire scheme are in the very early stages.”

Ms Taylor said the council was exploring how a trial could be safely run in Toowoomba.

Hire company Beam, which operates in Brisbane, Townsville and Magnetic Island, said it would welcome the chance to expand into the Garden City.

“Beam has been rapidly expanding our operations throughout Australia and New Zealand, and would welcome the opportunity to operate in Toowoomba, and work alongside the Toowoomba Regional Council to bring safe, affordable and climate neutral micromobility to more Queenslanders,” a Beam spokeswoman said.

“Any future agreement between TRC and an e-scooter company would follow a process which may include an expression of interest period and negotiation of a contractual agreement in line with Council’s procurement policy and practices,” she said.

Competitor Neuron, which is in three cities across Queensland, also expressed interest in Toowoomba.

“We are in touch with many councils across Australia and believe that e-scooters can provide a great benefit to cities of all sizes,” a spokeswoman said.

Lime was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Toowoomba on radar for e-scooter hire companies as council explores CBD trial