Shared e-bikes have hit Hobart’s streets for the first time, just as the Dark Mofo crowds descend on the city.
Beam has introduced 100 of its Apollo Lite micro e-bikes to Hobart’s streets for a 3-month trial.
The company has had its contract to supply e-scooters to Hobart extended while the City of Hobart runs a tender for the next contract period.
Speaking on ABC Local Radio last Friday, Hobart City Council’s transport spokesperson Ryan Posselt said the tender had received submissions from multiple providers.
“We'll get to have a little three-month period with these micro e-bikes on our streets, see how they go, and then when we make the decision in three months' time for the next operator or to continue Beam, we'll be able to decide whether or not they were a good idea.
“What we think is going to happen is that people are going to choose bikes rather than scooters for taking longer trips and for taking trips that involve more hills because you can put that extra bit of power in with the pedals, so if you are going up to the top of West Hobart or Mt Stuart there’s something that really has the power to go up those hills,” he said.
Beam says the e-bikes have “automatic uphill detection” which helps riders on inclines although the bikes don't have gears so this can still feel very slow-going if you are used to normal e-bikes.
The bikes are smaller than a standard e-bike with a step-through frame and small wheels, so they take up a similar space to the e-scooters when parked.
“Our aim is for the ‘Apollo Lite’ e-bikes to facilitate riding across longer distances, and to open up micromobility options to tourists or community members who may not have thought an e-scooter was for them,” a Beam spokesperson said.
“In particular, we believe we’ll see a big uptake of the new e-bikes as part of first mile and last mile transport, providing enhanced connections between buses and ferries across the city.”
To use the e-bikes you need to download the Beam app on a smart phone and enter a credit card for payment.
The cost is $1 to unlock, although this is free during peak hours 7–9am and 5–7pm, and then 51c per minute once you start riding. Students, pensioners and Centrelink card holders can also apply for a 50% discount on fares by setting up a Beam for All account.
The map on the app shows where e-bikes can be found and where the preferred parking zones are.
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