Welcome to Bendigo, Beam!
Beam Mobility has launched a 12-month e-scooter trial in urban Bendigo.
The e-scooters will be available for hire between 5am and 11pm, seven days a week, and accessible by downloading the Beam app and scanning the QR code on the e-scooters.
E-scooter trial in urban Bendigo for 12 months
The City has welcomed the launch of Beam Mobility’s 12-month e-scooter trial in urban Bendigo.
In 2023, the Victorian Government extended the e-scooter hire programs across the state, enabling all councils to directly engage with operators to set up a trial.
There is no cost to the City for participating in this trial.
Beam is responsible for operating the trial until May 2025, which has been developed in consultation with the City.
The aim is to assess the success of hire e-scooters as an alternative mode of transport and to see how the trial can benefit residents and visitors.
The trial provide links between significant precincts and key destinations across the city, assist in better connections to public transport such as buses and trains, and encourage a shift away from cars for shorter trips.
Trials in other similar sized cities have shown that e-scooters can help to stimulate business and tourism opportunities.
Trial area
Beam has launched a small trial area in urban Bendigo and is responsible for the operation of its Saturn-5 e-scooters.
E-scooters are available for hire between 5am and 11pm, 7 days a week and accessible by downloading the Beam app and scanning the QR code on the e-scooters.
The maximum speed limit is set at 20km/h and e-scooters can only ride on roads, bicycle lanes, and shared cycle paths in line with Victorian road rules.
It is illegal to ride e-scooters on footpaths and significant penalties apply. Fines are enforced by the Victorian Police.
Riding zones and parking
Beam’s e-scooters are equipped with state-of-the-art systems and geofencing technology, which ensures that the e-scooters remain in the operating area and can be speed limited and prevented from riding and parking in particular areas.
Slow Zones are in effect within the city centre include Bendigo Train Station, Pall Mall, View Street and Rosalind Park, where the e-scooters will automatically reduce speed in those areas to 15km/h.
Riders in the city centre will only be able to park in designated ‘virtual docking stations' via the Beam app and must take a photo to ensure responsible parking.
Outside of the city centre, riders are guided on appropriate parking through the Beam app.
Laws and Road Rules
As with all road rules, Victoria Police is enforcing the safe use of e-scooters and will not tolerate irresponsible behaviour on our roads.
- Not allowed to ride on footpaths
- Not permitted to use a hand-held mobile phone while riding
- Not ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Not permitted to carry passengers or animals
- Cannot lead an animal, including by tethering the animal to the e-scooter
- Cannot ride in tandem or two abreast
- Not allowed to ride on roads that have a speed limit over 60km/h (Beam restricts this)
- Be aged 16 years and over
- Not exceed 20 km/h
- Ride only on roads that have a speed limit of 60km/h or less and on bike or shared paths
- Always wear a helmet
- Always have proper control and ride responsibly
- Use a warning (e.g., bell, horn, or verbal) to avert danger
- Follow traffic rules
- Give way to pedestrians where appropriate
- Have front and rear lights if riding at night
More information
Beam is a global leader in micromobility and operates in more than 60 cities with a strong safety track record in the sector. Beam has experience in a diverse range of cities and regions across Australia and New Zealand from state capital cities like Brisbane, Auckland, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart to smaller regional areas like Bunbury, Whangārei and Esperance.
Beam has a local team in Bendigo to help the trial run smoothly. They know where all of the e-scooters are at all times, so they clean them, swap new batteries, and assist riders with queries. The Saturn-5 purple scooters feature mobile phone holders, auditory alerts, a warning bell, indicators, a double kickstand for anti-tipping, triple brakes, and a Bluetooth-locked helmet.
Outside of the city centre, the north boundary is defined by Lake Weeroona, the Long Gully Trail and Prouses Rd. The east boundary is from Nolan St (from Lake Weeroona).
Lloyd St, Murphy St then Lowndes St in Kennington, Crook St/Marnie Rd to cover Kennington Village and Edwards Rd to Nunn St/Race St to cover La Trobe University.
The south boundary is defined by Wirth St, Drechsler St, Houston St, Russell Street to Myrtle St in Golden Square. The west boundary covers Myrtle St to Calder Hwy, Eaglehawk Rd and Harrison St to Fenton St (to close the loop with Prouses Rd).
Yes, valid student and concession card holders can apply for concession pricing via Beam's Beam For All program.
If you have a concern or complaint about a rider on a Beam e-scooter, immediately register your complaint with Beam’s Customer Service team. Please provide the vehicle registration number (if possible) and as much detail as possible on the behaviour (i.e. location, time, regularity). If the rider is breaking the law, please also refer the matter to the police.
Every e-scooter has its own QR code, which means they can be tracked and monitored 24/7, with Beam knowing who the registered rider is at any moment. This assists Beam and the police with tracking down riders not doing the right thing. If the complaint is about a rider on a privately owned e-scooter, then please refer the matter to the police.
With safety as a top priority, the Beam Safe Academy provides comprehensive in-app and online rider education, and technology to act against improper riding. Beam has a three strikes policy to ensure those doing the wrong thing are barred.
Incidents of vandalism or bad behaviour are rare, but in the event that these occur, Beam will investigate every single report made through their 24/7 customer service channels to ensure the actions of some do not ruin a good experience for others.