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One of London’s e-scooter operators Tier is rolling out a new pricing model for the upcoming trial in the capital, designed to tackle reckless riding.
The operator will introduce Safety Pricing – meaning it won’t charge riders when vehicles are stationary during trips.
Typically, e-scooter riders are up against the clock when they use an e-scooter because they are charged by the minute, the operator said. Now, by not charging riders for the time they spend in traffic, or waiting at traffic lights, Tier aims to discourage an urgent or reckless approach to riding and prevent behaviour such as mounting a pavement to bypass traffic lights.
The policy will also see Tier give riders a free minute at the beginning of each trip so that they can put on their helmet and plan a safe route at no cost before setting off.
As another safety initiative for London, Tier will tackle illegal e-scooter use by offering private owners in the capital the chance to trade in their vehicles to be recycled or repurposed in exchange for ride credit with the company. The scheme, which will be running in London when the trials commence on 7th June, will give private e-scooter owners the opportunity to enjoy riding e-scooters safely without breaking the law and risking fines or losing their driving licence.
Tier will offer to collect e-scooters from private owners and take them away to be recycled with a local recycling partner or repurposed through a charity or social enterprise in another Tier territory where private use is legal, depending on the condition of the vehicle. In exchange, they will be given Tier e-scooter ride credit equal to their vehicle’s value, up to £150, allowing them to use the company’s rental e-scooters dotted around the city.
Owners will be asked to show proof of purchase when exchanging their vehicle and will need to pass Tier’s AA Ride Safe School, which includes an e-scooter theory test.
Fred Jones, VP and regional manager for Northern Europe at Tier, said: “Tier’s mission is for shared, electric micro-mobility to deliver on its potential to make our towns and cities less polluted and congested. We will not pursue that mission at the cost of making our cities less inclusive or less safe.
“During the London tender process, TfL recognised our commitment to safety and we aim to deliver on this. By introducing our Safety Pricing feature and private e-scooter exchange scheme for the launch in June, we are already enabling far more responsible e-scooter use in London.
“Working with Tier Safety Board members such as London Vision and Transport for All, we will keep listening to the concerns of the public – especially people with sight loss and other disabilities – and develop solutions that benefit everyone in society.”
London’s rental e-scooter trial will begin on 7th June in a core group of boroughs, Canary Wharf and the City of London, with operators Dott, Lime and Tier appointed to take part.
