Darwin Council has awarded a two-year contract to Beam to provide electric scooters and bikes for hire, taking the place of Neuron Mobility which brought scooters to city streets in a trial in 2020.

Darwin Council chief executive officer Simone Saunders said Beam had won a two year contract following a competitive tender process and an appraisal by an assessment panel which considered safety, diversity of vehicle options, innovation, operational capability and sustainability.

“The operation [of scooters] has been a game-changer in our city, offering convenience, sustainability and an eco-friendly mode of transportation that our residents and visitors have used since its introduction,” she said.

Neuron Mobility Australia and New Zealand general manager Jayden Bryant said it was important the business be both financially viable and sustainable for the long-term, so the company chose “not to overinvest, or over promise, in order to renew the contract with the city”.

Beam Australia and New Zealand general manager Tom Cooper said the company would have 500 electric scooters, 100 electric, seated scooters and 150 electric bikes, operating in Darwin from December 1.

“We see Darwin as an optimal city for us to be introducing new technology and new vehicle types, with an increased focus on accelerating modal shift away from cars safely and affordably,” he said.

Mr Cooper said the scooters would have technology that allowed them to identify whether the vehicle was on a footpath, street or bike lane, enabling Beam to restriction them – in an explained way – and educate riders on safe riding by providing in-trip and post-trip feedback.

Beam said there would also have drink riding deterrence technology.on its scooters.

“That includes a cognitive test, which is our drink-riding deterrence,” he said.

“This will be turned on at certain times of the week and in certain locations where users will need to pass the test to start their Beam trip.”

Electric scooter hire began in February 20200, with Singapore-based Neuron Mobility given a contract to conduct a trial by Darwin Council to run 250 scooters.