Beam Apollo Lite addresses micromobility gender gap

Wellington will be the first city in Australia and New Zealand to roll out the red carpet for Beam’s newest Apollo Lite e-bikes.

The Beam e-bike fleet in the capital city will get a complete upgrade from March 15.

The new Apollo Lite retains the safety features and IoT technology of Beam’s e-bikes and e-scooters while introducing new elements for enhanced accessibility. This supports a growing commuter demand for alternative forms of transportation to cars.

The latest research from Beam reveals that 40% of riders across New Zealand use the service to commute to their place of work or study and that 50% of trips in Wellington on the Beam platform are for commuting purposes.

The new Apollo Lite design also aims to close the gender gap in micromobility. Beam’s recent rider survey shows that 38% of e-bike riders in New Zealand identify as female, with many preferring e-scooters because they are easier to manoeuvre.

Hardware upgrades for safety, inclusiveness and durability

The Apollo Lite boasts a range of hardware upgrades, including a broader adjustable seat height (supporting heights from 1.55m) to accommodate a more comprehensive range of rider heights, a more lightweight frame for easier manoeuvring, smaller handlebars, and wider tyres for a smoother ride across uneven surfaces.

Additionally, the e-bike features automatic up-hill detection, providing real-time assistance to riders tackling inclines.

The Apollo Lite’s lighter frame and customisable features aim to attract a more diverse range of riders.

“We’re committed to constantly innovating and bringing the latest technology and hardware to our operations in Wellington,” says Beam New Zealand operations manager Jackson Jebaselvan.

“Wellington has experienced great success with shared micromobility, which has become a preferred means of transportation for many. Over 1.9 million kilometres have been ridden on Beams across Wellington to date.

 “Our aim is for the commuter-friendly Apollo Lite to open up riding across longer distances and shared micromobility to community members who may not have thought an e-bike was for them.

“We’ve also taken into account feedback from riders, who have said they would prefer a lighter e-bike suitable for a greater range of heights, hence opening up cycling as a transportation option for more people.

“Our goal is to bring safe, sustainable and equitable transportation to as many residents as possible.”

These new additions to Wellington’s streets will be available for rent through Beam’s app-based service. They feature the same affordable rates as Beam’s purple e-scooters.

Students and concession card holders can ride for 50% off via Beam’s ‘BeamForAll’ program.

Beam has launched a survey that will run until the end of April to gather valuable community feedback on the Apollo Lite as riders begin taking their first trips.