The City of Greater Bendigo is inviting public feedback on the share hire e-scooter trial which began last May in partnership with operator Beam Mobility.
Beam is responsible for funding and operating the small trial area in urban Bendigo until May 2025.
The current scheme provides around 200 Saturn-5 e-scooters available for hire between 5am and 11pm, seven days a week.
Beam developed the trial area in consultation with the City and an external stakeholder group that includes Victoria Police and Bendigo Health, and there has been no cost to the City for participating in this trial.
From May 2024 to January 2025, there have been 8,994 users and 39,883 trips covering more than 67km, according to Beam data. The average trip distance is 1.6km. Complaints received by the City peaked at the start of the trial last May with 32 complaints lodged. It is now around five complaints per month.
Since the trial began in urban Bendigo, the Victorian Government has permanently legalised the use of share hire e-scooters to operate across Victoria and introduced new e-scooter rules. These include tougher penalties for misuse, and mandated new technology to improve e-scooter safety.
Manager Strategic Planning Anthony Petherbridge said the trial in urban Bendigo was an opportunity to assess the success of share hire e-scooters as an alternative mode of transport for residents and visitors.
“The City is committed to fostering sustainable transport options that benefit the community and visitors to move around more easily,” Mr Petherbridge said.
“This trial puts to the test how a micro-transport economy can play in creating a more connected and sustainable network, particularly at transport hubs.
“We want to know the impact of the trial and if residents and visitors have benefited from having access to share hire e-scooters.
“I encourage you to complete a brief survey on our online engagement platform Let’s Talk. We would like to hear from Beam riders, businesses, and the broader community.
“As the trial is earmarked to finish at the end of May, the data from the trial and public feedback will be presented to Council to determine the next steps.”
The survey closes on Monday March 17 at 5pm.
To provide feedback, visit: