Gold Coast electric scooter hire company to launch at sites across the city

A Singapore-based rideshare company is looking to launch a new electric scooter service on the Gold Coast — with promises residents won’t find them abandoned on the street.

A SINGAPORE-based rideshare company wants to launch a new electric scooter service on the Gold Coast.

Hi-tech “mobility sharing” firm Neuron has partnered with Gold Coast businessman John Daley to launch an electric scooter hire system next year.

But Mr Daley said that unlike the Mobikes and Lime scooters, his scheme would have docking stations, meaning the scooters would not be left all over the city when riders were finished with them.

A mock up of the Neuron Mobility sharing system at Gold Coast light rail.

The State Government this month imposed regulations on the use of scooters — including them being allowed on footpaths at speeds up to 25km/h.

OTHER NEWS:

Notorious island party company owes charity $8k

Aquaman hangs out in Burleigh before premiere

Alleged baby killer ‘son of god’ says mum

Since the controversial regulatory changes were introduced, a number of companies have been looking at setting up on the Gold Coast.

“I have seen what has happened to the bike ridesharing on the Gold Coast and scooters in Brisbane and I don’t want to add to that problem,” said Mr Daley of controversy surrounding abandoned Mobikes and Lime scooters.

GOLD COAST WOMEN OF THE YEAR — NOMINATE SOMEONE NOW

Gold Coast businessman John Daley wants to introduce a docked scooter system to the Gold Coast as an improvement on the ride share bicycle system that has caused problems for residents. Pic Tim Marsden

“The idea is to have more docks than scooters so they aren't left everywhere.

“I believe that would be a more acceptable system for locals than a system that might dump them.”

Neuron Scooters, which also operates in Thailand and Malaysia, allows users to locate stations through an app and to pay a per-kilometre fee.

Fee charging does not stop until the scooter is returned to a dock.

Once docked, scooters are powered up via a solar panel.

CRITICISED MOBIKE SMASHING WORLD RECORDS ON COAST

The Neuron electric scooter docks are proposed to be placed at all light rail stops.

He said a vending machine would have helmets for purchase.

“Ideally, we would like to set up a dock at each light rail station,” Mr Daley said.

“I support this system because it would be a benefit, not a negative for the community.”

Mr Daley said he had approached the council about Neuron Scooters.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN FOR JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

Gold Coast City Council confirmed it had been contacted by a small number of companies, but nothing had been confirmed.

Lawyers warned people using an electric scooter service could be liable for personal or property damage if an accident occurred.

Creevey Russell principal Dan Creevey said there were a number of legal risks consumers should be aware of before hiring scooters.

Mr Creevey said 400 public insurance claims had been made since another scooter service was launched in New Zealand in October.

“In the event of an accident, a person may have very little protection against claims for personal injuries or property damage caused to a third party,” Mr Creevey said.

“In addition, people caught deliberately or accidentally damaging the scooters may face civil and/or criminal sanctions, in some cases.

“We advise anyone thinking of using these scooters to do their appropriate research and pay attention to the terms and conditions.’’