Tier brings "streetwise" e-scooter to UK trials

(28 Sep 2020) LEAD IN:
European micro mobility firm Tier is bringing its "streetwise" e-scooters to the UK, as part of trials across the country.
The Berlin-based firm recently announced plans to begin a year-long trial in the English city of York. Its e-scooters feature an innovative foldable, integrated helmet to keep riders safe.
STORY-LINE:
As several firms compete to stage lucrative e-scooter trials across the UK, Berlin-based Tier hopes its "streetwise" vehicle will sway authorities and potential passengers.
The green-coloured, two-wheeled vehicles come with an innovative foldable, integrated helmet that pops out of a box attached to e-scooter.
"It's really easy to use, you just open it up, click it in shut. Put it on and you're ready to go," explains UK general manager Fred Jones.
The e-scooter also comes with a large front wheel to keep riders steady on uneven surfaces, a wireless phone charger and indicator lights on the handles and rear.
"You can't just think about the benefits of scooters without understanding the concerns and how you can integrate this mode of transport safely in our cities," says Jones.
"So, that's where indicators, a crash helmet, a proper, decent-sized front wheel with suspension, these are really important features to ensure that as the UK adopts and tries this new technology, we do it safely and responsibly."
In June, UK authorities gave the green light to trials of electric scooter rental programs, as they look for ways to help people get moving, while maintaining distance and easing pressure on public transit.
Dozens of British cities are interested in hosting a trial program, run by private companies. They were initially scheduled for next year and have been fast-tracked due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tier, which operates in over 70 cities across Europe, was selected to be sole operator of a year-long trial in the English city of York.
Up to 100 e-scooters are set to be deployed initially, first appearing at the city's university in the coming weeks.
The firm is also rolling out swappable batteries across its fleet, removing the need to transport the vehicles to a warehouse for charging.
"We need to get our cities and economies and communities moving again and scooters provide a socially distant, safe way of doing that," says Jones.
"Longer term, we want to build back greener. And so, scooters are proven to offer a real sustainable alternative to private car use in our cities, so we can tackle air pollution, congestion and just make our cities more liveable."
Rental e-scooters have already become a common sight in European cities like Paris and Brussels, often strewn across pavements.
Last June, authorities in Paris began cracking down on e-scooters after a chaotic year in which startups flooded the city's streets with their vehicles.
UK authorities are being careful to avoid similar challenges.
"We certainly don't want the sort of anarchy that Paris had at the outset and had to clamp down on," says Tom Bogdanowicz, from charity London Cycling Campaign, in a July interview.
Tier was eventually one of three firms granted a permit to operate in Paris. It is now operating 5,000 e-scooters in the French capital.
The Berlin-based company hopes to eventually establish a similar footprint in the UK.
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[@lunas999]

Is your camera from 1982? Haha nice video 👍good job

[@KRUXT]

in background,, I get Scammed XD ,,

[@KarlOsuchowski]

4:50 when u just tryna condemn urban “anarchy” on tv while being bombed by an anarchist jaywalker hopping a barrier❤️