Tier, one of London’s e-scooter operators, has partnered with inclusive cycling social enterprise Bikeworks to offer free e-scooter safety training sessions across the capital.
The initiative aims to improve public safety and rider confidence, whilst tackling misuse. Sessions, initially rolled out in Ealing, North Kensington and Hammersmith & Fulham, are available to all members of the public and will be led by fully qualified instructors trained by Bikeability, the Department for Transports national cycle training provider.
Participants will be taught how to safely use an e-scooter on roads and cycle lanes, as well as how to use smart features found on Tier e-scooters and in its app, such as indicator lights, swappable batteries and access to the UK’s first ever e-scooter theory test. Those who undergo training will receive free ride credit from Tier once completed.
The two-hour training sessions are being held up to twice a day on Saturdays and Sundays throughout August and September, with plans to increase and extend sessions in the near future to other boroughs participating in London’s e-scooter trial, such as Richmond and Lambeth.
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Users can sign up directly through Bikeworks’ booking page or scan the QR code on one of Tier’s promotional leaflets, which are being distributed at Bikeworks’ headquarters at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and at local Dr Bike events.
Jim Blakemore, CEO of Bikeworks, said: “Our partnership with Tier is a key opportunity to reshape how people travel in cities like London, beyond reducing emissions.
“By developing a national standard for e scooter training, as an extension to our Bikeability adult and school cycle training is an important opportunity, enabling us to provide the skills based training for people to ride e scooters safely on the UK’s roads.”
Tier and Bikeworks are also planning to extend sessions to engage local charities and groups to include more Londoners in trying out an e-scooter in a safe environment.
Paul Tuohy, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, added: “Too many short journeys are made by car, adding to congestion, air pollution and contributing to climate change.
“Along with walking, cycling and public transport, e-scooters offer a viable alternative and are a great way to help people ditch their cars for those short journeys. This scheme will not only ensure people already riding e-scooters do so safely, it will also help give people who are yet to give them a go the confidence to try them out. We hope to see similar schemes in other trial areas soon.”
