Tier launches e-scooter safety board

Tier has launched a UK & Ireland Safety Board to raise the bar for safety standards across the entire e-scooter sector.

The Board comprises senior independent experts in road safety, Covid risk, accessibility and visual impairment, with figures representing Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety, UCL Centre for Transport Studies, Transport For All, and London and national sight loss charities. 

The Board will meet quarterly to scrutinise Tier’s approach to safety and responsible operations, stress-test the business’ planned policies and features, explore best safety practice from other sectors, and advocate for new, industry-wide safety measures to mitigate the risks that e-scooters can pose to cities. 

Sitting on the board will be:

• David Davies, Executive Director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety (PACTS)
• Dr Lena Ciric, Associate Professor, UCL, and expert on COVID-19
• Kirsty Hoyle, CEO of leading accessibility body Transport For All
• Mike Bell, Senior Manager at Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) and Deputy Leader at North Somerset Council
• Bhavini Makwana, Engagement Manager at London Vision, Ambassador for Retina UK & Co-Chair for sight loss BAME Committee

An additional Board member based in Ireland will be appointed subject to e-scooters being legalised in the country.

The Board positions are unpaid and the quarterly sessions will be chaired by Tier UK & Ireland general manager Fred Jones.

Jones said: “For the e-scooter sector to reach its potential, it needs to take safety very seriously.

“Paying lip service isn’t enough. If we want to create the safest possible environment for e-scooter riders and pedestrians, we must listen to the concerns and advice of experts and vulnerable groups, and use this to shape policy and design. 

“No operator has all the answers and so Tier is inviting scrutiny from those who really get it. 

“We believe that the new Safety Board of independent advisors can make a positive and long-lasting difference to the e-scooter sector in the UK, and hopefully Ireland before long, and we are excited to get started on this work.”

Tier currently operates an e-scooter trial in York and recently announced a partnership with the AA to create the TIER Ride Safe School, launching the first e-scooter theory test.