Hundreds of safety warnings issued for Beam e-scooter riders during first three months of trial

In the first three months of the Beam electric hire scooter trial in Broome the company has handed out just two permanent bans despite issuing hundreds of safety warnings. According to Beam, since the start of the trial they have issued 314 warnings against Broome scooter users for offences such as tandem riding, parking incorrectly and riding irresponsibly, but have only had to issue two permanent bans for the same offences. Beam WA operations lead Stuart O’Callaghan said the company was pleased with how Broome users had taken to the scooter trial, with most following the guidelines. “The vast majority of riders are doing the right thing, and we’re pleased to see riders engaging with our Beam Safe Academy and following the rules,” he said. “However, our three-strikes policy is in place and riders face suspension and permanent bans for bad riding and parking offences. “We want riders to know that riding and parking safely is their responsibility, and that our team is out there enforcing the rules.” Despite the small number of bans, Mr O’Callaghan said he was over the moon with how popular the scooters had been in Broome so far. “We’re really pleased with the first three months of shared micro-mobility being available in Broome with over 110,000km ridden since launch,” he said. “That shows the huge potential for shared micro-mobility to provide transport connections to residents and visitors in Broome, and replace trips that would otherwise be taken in a car.” WA Police, the WA Country Health Service and the Shire of Broome were contacted to provide statistics but were unable to do so.