In Brisbane, Lime scooters have appeared in the CBD and neighbouring suburbs, but they aren’t a permanent fixture. Transport policymakers face a challenge when new mobility solutions disrupt existing systems. For example, the Queensland government attempted to ban illegal ride-sharing services such as Uber and Ola, but has since legalised them. A scooter-sharing service could have the same transformative effects on how people move around.
In a recent incident, a Lime scooter rider fell from the scooter and went into cardiac arrest. He was found by security staff at South Bank and given CPR until paramedics arrived. Paramedics and the High Acuity Response Unit were able to resuscitate the man, but he did not survive. The accident happened after the rider fell from his scooter down a flight of stairs.
Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in Australia, Lime has had to scale back its operations in the city centre. In the past year, 30 jobs have been cut at Lime’s Brisbane arm. The company still has about 3000 scooters sitting on pallets, but these are not ready to launch.
Lime scooters are electric scooters that can be controlled with a smartphone. The rider does not need a driver and can pay using a digital wallet. Riders are also required to wear a helmet and follow safety guidelines. As with any new technology, it is important to follow the rules and regulations.
Brisbane’s scooter guidance is inconsistent, sometimes contradictory, and often confusing. The city has not constructed much bicycle infrastructure in the last 50 years and hasn’t reduced local street speeds to 30km/h. The lack of safe routes means fixing some safety issues will be difficult. However, the benefits of having non-polluting scooters in the city center cannot be ignored.
Lime scooters have been a big hit in Brisbane since they first opened in 2011. Brisbane residents are also able to rent them. The Brisbane market is crowded with competitors like Neuron and Beam, two of the largest e-mobility schemes in Australia. Lime isn’t a local player and is losing market share to them.
Riders must be at least 18 years old and wear a helmet to avoid getting into trouble. There is also a limit on how many passengers you can have on a scooter. Riders are also prohibited from texting while scooting late at night. Brisbane scooters are safe, but it is also essential to wear a helmet. It could save your life. A scooter rider caught without a helmet can be fined up to $130.
Lime scooters Brisbane can be found at several locations in Brisbane. They are located at Howard Smith Wharves and Adelaide Street. Brisbane’s CBD is easily accessible from these locations. The new tenders for e-mobility providers will kick off on July 22. Beam Mobility is one of the local businesses that will be able to take advantage of these opportunities.