A 37-year-old man has died after losing control of a rental e-scooter in Geraldton, Western Australia, early Wednesday morning. Police reported the incident occurred at 12:10 a.m. on a footpath beside Brand Highway, near the intersection of Glendinning Road in Tarcoola Beach.
The man, who was riding a Beam Mobility scooter, fell from the device and sustained fatal injuries. Police are investigating the crash and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with dash-cam, CCTV, or mobile phone footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
Beam Mobility, which has operated the e-scooter hire service in Geraldton since 2022, expressed condolences and stated it is assisting police with their inquiries. City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune described the incident as tragic and believed it was the first fatal e-scooter accident in the city.
Mayor Clune noted the rapid growth in e-scooter use, both private and rental, in recent years, and highlighted concerns about speed and safety. He expects new regulations following a state government inquiry that made 33 recommendations to improve safety for riders and pedestrians.
The city council had previously decided not to suspend hireable e-scooters after a fatal collision involving a pedestrian and an e-scooter in Perth earlier this year. Additionally, from term one next year, children under 16 will be banned from using and storing e-rideables at all WA public schools.
