Shared electric scooter and bike provider Tier is helping to clamp down on drink-riding with a new in-app test.

Users who fail the tail will be directed to take a taxi or alternative form of transport 

The test will be active on the busiest days for Christmas parties in December and has been developed following research conducted by the behaviour and insights experts at Innovationbubble to spot behavioural changes after alcohol has been consumed. On days that the test is active, it will be compulsory and users who fail will be directed to take a taxi or alternative form of transport.

Concerns over drink-riding are rising this season as more people turn to e-scooters – they’re covered by the same drinking and driving rules as road vehicles and riding e-scooters whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law.

E-scooter riders have already been caught this year for being over the limit – including in York where police warned that drink-riding “creates a huge risk to the safety of pedestrians and other road users, and the legal consequences can be extremely severe”.

Jess Hall, Tier’s UK head of cities, said: “As many Londoners get ready for the work Christmas party, the first in a few years for some people, we want to ensure our users are as safe as possible. Drink-riding puts the rider and other members of the public in increased danger and can lead to riders incurring points on their driving licence. As an extra layer of protection beyond our existing night-time messaging, we are introducing our in-house developed in-app accuracy test to ensure people are fit to ride.

“We would advise Londoners to plan ahead if they want to use micro-mobility and avoid drinking, or to book a taxi in advance through our partner Free Now.”

Tier’s campaign is supported by Drivetech, the AA’s driver training specialist, which has developed digital rider training modules in use by Tier.

Colin Paterson, head of marketing at Drivetech, commented: “We were really pleased to support Teir with some initial digital rider training modules when they first launched in the UK, and are delighted to see this continuing safety message as we head into the festive period. Drivetech, and the rest of the AA, place motorist and road user safety high on their agenda. Encouraging Tier riders not to drink and ride is an admirable and responsible move – sharing the road safely is key, especially when spirits are high.”