When shared e-scooters first hit the streets, they brought a level of freedom and flexibility that many cities lacked. For years now, these services have offered a simple and familiar way for riders to pay — by time — where the longer they rode in minutes, the more they paid. But for less confident riders who prefer to take things at a slower pace, that per-minute model can feel stressful, unpredictable and less freeing.
Beam’s Innovation
Beam Mobility understands that every rider has their own unique needs. That’s why they have started introducing a distance-based pricing option alongside their existing time-based model. With this choice, riders only pay for the actual distance they travel on each trip.
Each scooter tracks its wheel rotations — just like an odometer in a car. To support users who want to take their time, there is even a generous time buffer so that they can ride without feeling pressure to ride at a faster pace.
The Benefit Extends to the Community
Beam believes distance-based pricing not only gives riders more choice but also helps improve the overall impact of shared micromobility, especially for those who don’t use the service but are still affected by it, like pedestrians and drivers. When pricing is tied to distance, riders are less likely to push past their comfort zone, making the streets safer and more predictable for everyone.
Also, by removing the pressure of a ticking clock, riders may naturally take more time to park, especially in designated parking spots. “By removing the pressure of per-minute charges, we’re supporting riders to take the time they need to park thoughtfully and safely.” said Deb Gangopadhyay, Beam Mobility Co-Founder and President.
The Potential for a Pivotal Change in the Industry
Distance-based pricing unlocks the potential for something even more pivotal, destination-based pricing. Much like with Uber, a micromobility rider could input a destination and receive both a recommended route and an upfront price.
Traditionally, the industry has leaned on operations teams to manually shift vehicles from low-demand zones to busier areas. It’s a necessary task, but also resource-heavy. Destination-based pricing introduces a smarter, more scalable approach that encourages riders to help rebalance fleets through targeted incentives, ultimately improving access and service across the community.
For example, riders could receive a discounted price for riding into an area with high demand or greater need due to less transportation access. “Distance-based pricing — and eventually destination-based pricing — are potentially pivotal changes to the industry because they meaningfully solve key problems for riders, citizens, and operators,” added Gangopadhyay.
Beam’s distance-based pricing model continues to expand what operators can do while enabling safer, more accessible experiences for both riders and pedestrians. Learn more about how Beam Mobility is expanding and shaping the future of micromobility — city by city, rider by rider.