Canberra's e-scooters helpful on Liam Neeson movie set

Transport and City Services Minister Chris Steel has outdone himself by describing the humble local scooters being used on the movie set as "scoot and shoot technology", also confirming the filming would generate $1.5 million for the Canberra economy.

"The use of Canberra's new e-scooters have helped our local crews travel short distances between shoots quickly and efficiently," Mr Steel said.

"It's a positive demonstration of how people are employing this new form of mobility to get around our city for very a diverse range of journeys."

While Neeson himself is not in Canberra - a stunt double is being used - the heart of the national capital has been abuzz this week as it filled in for the streets of Washington DC for the action flick.

And while movie sets are usually about trailers, and who has the biggest one, the vehicle du jour for the set in Canberra has become the humble e-scooter, allowing crew to move efficiently from point to point.

The Canberra Times photographer Karleen Minney snapped a crew member riding one of the distinctive orange scooters on Thursday, but without "the approved safety helmet". Tut tut.

A chase between a garbage truck and cars was filmed for the movie on Thursday, the truck careering from London Ciruit into Akuna Street, smashing into a flower seller's display (seen in tact behind the crew member on the scooter). While thrilling movie fans, it also gave Canberrans pining for Summernats a little high-octane action they'd been missing this January.

The ACT has 1500 e-scooters for general use in central Canberra and Belconnen town centre, the devices enthusiastically embraced by locals since they were introduced to the city late last year.

Now, Hollywood has cottoned on, giving the scooters, perhaps, the ultimate imprimatur from one capital of cool, to another.

Mr Steel said the simple car chase would generate $1.5 million for the Canberra economy.

"It's great to see how our community has been getting involved by watching the car scenes after the filming for Blacklight commenced yesterday," he said.

"This film has been a major economic drawcard for our city during a relatively quiet period, supporting 60 local crew members and bringing in over $1.5 million to our local economy.

"We also appreciate the community's understanding whilst traffic disruptions have been occurring in the city."

Parts of Civic will continue to be blocked off as filming for the movie continues on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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