What you need to know before you use an e-scooter

Neuron and Beam have each launched 750 scooters which can be used in certain parts of the city.

ACT Policing Detective Inspector Marcus Boorman said individuals needed to take responsibility and use common sense for scooter safety.

They are treated the same as a bicycle or other vehicle which means users must wear a helmet, can't jump on after a few drinks and can't take passengers.

"This being new to the ACT we all need to adjust, we all need to educate ourselves, including the police," he said.

"We will obviously be paying attention to the activities of people on e-scooters and educating them appropriately.

"If anyone thinks they can get on these things and undertake risky behaviour and just be an idiot basically, well then there will be consequences and there's a number of fines we can give out, although we haven't to date."

Here's what you need to know before you get rolling.

To use either a Beam or Neuron scooter you'll need to download their respective apps and scan the QR code on the scooter to unlock it and start your ride.

All scooters have a helmet attached which you can unlock from the app when you start your ride.

The scooters are capped at a speed limit of 15km/h on footpaths and can go up to 25km/h on roads. They will automatically slow down in designated high traffic zones around Braddon and Civic.

There are also designated parking areas - Beam and Neuron's apps will alert you to where you can and can't leave it for the next person.

Detective Inspector Boorman said users should avoid roads where possible and slow down around pedestrians.

"The only time they can be ridden on the road is when there isn't a footpath next to the road or it's impractical," he said.

"If there's a lot of people on the footpath you are obliged to stay to the left and slow down when you're passing people."

Geofencing limits where you can travel on an e-scooter across the city.

Neuron and Beam apps outline where scooters can and can't be used and parked.

If you take the scooter beyond these boundaries it will slow down and lock.

If you have crossed the boundary accidentally you can unlock it temporarily and return to the geofenced area, but you won't be able to go anywhere quickly until you are back in the approved zone.

The scooters may also clock up additional charges if left in the incorrect spot.

The current boundaries are the inner-north and inner-south, and parts of Belconnen.

E-scooters can now be used in Parliamentary Triangle but they cannot be parked there.

The riding-zone in the north includes Turner, O'Conner, parts of Lyneham, Ainslie and Dickson and towards the city centre through Reid, Braddon and Civic. You can also take the scooters to Campbell and Russell.

In the south the scooters can ride around Deakin, Forrest, Narrabundah and some parts of Fyshwick.

Both Neuron and Beam scooters can also be used in Belconnen near Lake Ginninderra and extending as far as parts of Macquarie.

Beam scooters do not currently have an unlock cost and are 45c per minute.

Neuron scooters cost $1 to unlock and 38c per minute. 3-day, weekly and monthly passes are also available for regular users.

Yes, users are required by law to use a helmet.

Both Beam and Neuron scooters have helmets attached to them which unlock when you go for a ride.

Just like any other mode of transport you shouldn't be at the helm under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

It is also illegal to use your phone while riding a scooter.

"It's not a good idea, and in fact you're committing an offence if you are riding an e-scooter under the influence of alcohol or drugs," Detective Inspector Boorman said.

"So those people that are out in the city having a great time, pick another mode of transport to get home - just don't jump on an e-scooter and put yourself at risk."

Detective Inspector Marcus Boorman said children younger than 12 must be supervised by an adult to ride.

However, Neuron says its scooters can only be used by adults aged 18 and over.

Both Beam and Neuron provide personal accident insurance.

Neuron insurance covers for "certain personal injuries" but the organisation says not all incidents may be covered.

They say riders should contact their customer support team for more details.

Beam also offers insurance for riders under the age of 70. Riders should contact them in the event of an accident if they require assistance with insurance.

In an emergency or serious accident you should call Triple Zero first.

No. Both Neuron and Beam scooters are designed for one person with a load limit up to 100kg.

Two people should not use one scooter at the same time.

The geofencing technology used by Beam and Neuron limits where the scooters can be left and users are incentivised to park them in the right spot so they aren't charged more.

It is up to the providers to ensure scooters don't end up scattered across Canberra, and companies have teams which will be sent to pick up rogue vehicles.

Stephen Alegria from Transport Canberra and City Services said there was a "robust" plan in place to keep them in the right spot.

"[The providers] know at any particular time where there devices are and there is also a pretty clear set of rules around where users can park them so they're not presenting a problem to the movement of pedestrians," he said.

If you find a scooter left where it shouldn't be you can contact Beam or Neuron and provide the ID number so they can collect it.