ARIO rides into town

There’s a new scooter on the block, with Townsville City Council securing an Australian-first partnership with ARIO, introducing 200 futuristic, three-wheeled electric scooters across Townsville and Magnetic Island.

The trial, which begins on Monday, positions ARIO as a second e-scooter provider for the city, with a focus on cutting-edge safety features and a new standard of rider experience.

Acting Mayor Paul Jacob said he was eagerly awaiting the trial and ARIO’s potential to reshape Townsville’s e-mobility landscape.

“Townsville was recently left with a void when it came to a variety of e-mobility providers, so it is terrific to work with ARIO to bring a completely different product to Townsville on a trial basis,” Cr Jacob said.

“E-scooters are a valuable mode of transport, but safety remains paramount. With ARIO's unique three-wheel, self-balancing design, these scooters provide a safer means of transport for our community."

ARIO’s General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Adam Rossetto said he was excited for ARIO to transform urban mobility.

“The launch of ARIO in Townsville marks a major leap forward in urban mobility for Australian communities," Mr Rossetto said.

“Our e-scooters are designed with cutting-edge technology to prioritise safety, convenience, and sustainability.

“Our e-scooters are a step-change for the industry, addressing key challenges like poor parking, reckless riding, and helmet non-compliance with features such as three-wheeled designs, onboard cameras, and pedestrian detection.

“Backed by a team of industry experts, we’ve built a safety-first solution that prioritises sustainability and seamlessly integrates into Townsville, setting a new standard for how e-scooters can benefit both riders and the community."

ARIO’s scooters will be available for use in suburbs including North Ward, Rowes Bay, Belgian Gardens, West End, Currajong, Pimlico, Hyde Park, Hermit Park, Mysterton, South Townsville and Railway Estate and suburbs of Magnetic Island including Nelly Bay and Arcadia.

Councillor Brodie Phillips emphasised the importance of safe riding practices.

“Queensland Police Service’s recent e-scooter campaign is a critical reminder that helmets must be worn and safety rules followed while riding,” Cr Phillips said.

“These include adhering to traffic laws, maintaining safe distances from pedestrians, and avoiding riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs. While speed restrictions are in place, it is ultimately up to riders to stay safe and follow the rules.”

To reinforce its commitment to safety, ARIO will host a free safety session at The Strand on Saturday, 14 December, to educate the community about responsible e-scooter use.

ARIO’s e-scooters are designed to be the safest on the market, incorporating innovative features such as:

• Active Pedestrian Detection Technology (APDT): Advanced sensors detect pedestrians, triggering automatic speed reductions or acoustic alerts to prevent collisions.
• Real Time Footpath Detection: Using its four cameras, scooters detect in real time if it enters onto a footpath, shared path or cycle path, and reduces its speed automatically according to local regulations.
• Helmet Compliance: Integrated smart helmets use RFID technology to ensure riders return helmets; non-compliance incurs a fine, boosting helmet availability and reducing street litter.
• Tandem Detection: Cameras detect tandem riders, enforcing rules through education, warnings, and suspensions or bans for repeat offences.

E-scooters have been part of Townsville since 2020 through the establishment of a commercial permit system. This trial with ARIO represents the next step in evaluating the city’s future e-mobility options.

ARIO will officially launch its scooters in Townsville on Monday 9 December 2024.

For more information about e-scooters in Townsville, visit our e-scooters web page.