Introduction to TIERs online safety school
E-scooters have become an enormously popular mode of transportation in Norwegian cities. Still, we who use them must become better at taking care of ourselves and those around us. The vast majority of accidents are avoidable, with a little more knowledge and awareness.
TIER’s safety course offers an overview of national regulations and laws. We share information, advice and TIER’s best practices for riding better and safer.
The course also includes a safety test where you can test your knowledge. Users will be rewarded with free rides after passing the safety test.
The course consists of four key subjects:
Part 1: Traffic rules and regulations
On 15th of June 2022, new traffic rules for the use of e-scooters were introduced. In the overview below, you will find updated information about which rules apply at any given time.
- When riding an e-scooter, you need to follow the same traffic rules as other cyclists. You can be fined if you break them.
- The maximum speed limit is 20 km/h. All of TIERs e-scooters have a built-in speed limit, but remember that you are responsible for adjusting the speed as required.
- You can ride on roads and cycle paths, but you have to follow the direction of travel and traffic signs. And you are obligated to stop for red lights.
- Pedestrians, wheelchair users and strollers always have first priority. You can ONLY ride on the pavement as long as you are not obstructing pedestrians.
- You need to show consideration and adjust the speed when riding on the pavement. The speed limit is 6 km / h when passing pedestrians on the pavement.
- DUI is not allowed. Don’t drink and drive. The alcohol limit of 0.2 also applies to e-scooters.
Click to expand.
- Tandem riding is not allowed. The fine is 3000 NOK.
- The age limit for using e-scooters is 12 years and all children under the age of 15 must wear a helmet. We stil recommend all our users to use the helmet that’s placed in the helmet box on all TIER’s e-scooters.
- You have a duty to yield the right-of-way to cars and cyclists from the right.
- You have to get off the scooter and walk over pedestrian crossings.
- It’s not allowed to park in a manner which obstructs others from using roads and sidewalks.
- Give clear signs in the traffic.TIER scooters have turn signals. Use them!
- Show respect for heavy vehicles. Remember that blind zones make it difficult for drivers to see you.
- Always wear a helmet. On TIER’s e-scooters, you will find a helmet box with an easily accessible helmet which is free to use.
Part 2: Ride safe and smart
Simple guidelines make your ride safer and smarter. Below you will find a summary of tips, tricks and best practices from TIER’s experts.
- The first thing to remember is that an e-scooter is not a normal bike.
- E-scooters have smaller wheels, the balance is different and the e-scooter turns differently. If you take that into account, you will already be riding safer.
- The Norwegian Institute of Transport Economics has studied the most common reasons for injuries due to e-scooters.The four most common reasons for injuries are: Loss of balance, curbs, potholes and tram rails.
- These reasons accounted for half of the injuries registered at the emergency rooms, according to the report.
A large proportion of accidents involving both bicycles and electric scooters occur while driving under influence. DUI is not allowed. Don’t drink and drive.
Click to expand.
- Start the trip carefully and correctly
- Pay attention, think ahead and signal what you are doing
- Use your head and always wear a helmet
Always start carefully
You can almost completely eliminate the risk of the most common accidents if you ride a little slower until you find the balance. Also, keep in mind that the wheels are small and that the e-scooter is long. You have to be careful when riding up and down on edges. Holes and bumps in the road require even more attention than on a normal bike.
It is important that you find the balance on the e-scooter at the beginning of your trip. Place one foot on the scooter, while kicking off a couple of times with the other foot. Only place both feet on the e-scooter when you have enough steering speed.
Accelerate slowly. Controlled acceleration creates better traction. Be aware there may be some differences in how the e-scooter behaves, even if they are maintained continuously and carefully.
Adjust the speed when riding downhill. By doing so, you will avoid wobbling and more serious injuries if you crash. An e-scooter is not made for the same speed as many other vehicles are. TIER’s e-scooters have a speed limiter of 20 km/t, but it is often necessary to ride slower than that.
Always keep both hands on the steering wheel and avoid using a mobile phone while driving. Again, it is simple to avoid the most common accidents.
Show respect and demonstrate your intentions in the traffic
Keep in mind that you are responsible for not obstructing pedestrians. They have the main priority.
Use turn signals. All of TIER’s e-scooters are equipped with turn signals. You ride much safer when you show your intentions to your fellow road users.
Otherwise, always be aware of uneven surfaces. Slipping accidents on both wet and dry surfaces accounted for several dozen of the injuries in the study of The Norwegian Institute of Transport Economics. Slow down when riding on poor asphalt, cobble stones, gravel or tram trails. A good tip for reducing the vibrations from the surface is to move your weight slightly from your heels.
Be smart and wear a helmet
If you are to be involved in an accident, it is absolutely crucial that you wear a helmet. All of TIER’s e-scooters are equipped with helmet boxes, which make it easy to protect your head on all your trips. Also, they are completely free to use.
Finally, remember to show consideration when parking the e-scooter. Park in a way that does not hinder others. Use marked parking spaces and racks as far as possible. The overview of places to park can be easily found in the app.
Wear a helmet, keep in mind what you are riding on, show respect and stay sober – and you will ride safely!
Part 3: Winter Safety
In cooperation with the Norwegian company reTyre, TIER has developed a studded tire specially adapted to e-scooters for use during the winter. The first tires are already to be found on TIER’s e-scooters in Oslo and will be a part of all our e-scooters in 2022. Our tests show that reTyre’s tires significantly reduce the risk of accidents on icy roads.
Riding safely in the winter still requires some extra considerations and measures:
Click to expand.
- Pay more attention when you ride in winter conditions. Remember to be considerate of other road users and pedestrians.
- Show extra care when parking in the winter. It often gets extra cramped for space when the snow and ice settle.
- Make sure that the e-scooter is equipped with studded tires. If one or both of the tires are missing studs, the app will show you alternative options.
- Adapt the speed to the conditions, even though you ride with studded tires. The braking distance can be much longer than you imagine.
- Take extra caution when you ride on pavements. Overtaking should preferably be avoided here.
- Make sure you wear enough clothes and cold-resistant outerwear. Gloves are necessary.
- Always make sure to wear shoes with grip.
- Use the safety reflector. It is important and an additional safety feature, even though all the e-scooters from TIER are equipped with lights.
- Be observant of gravel, ice and other objects in the roadway.
- Be smart and use the helmet all of our e-scooters are equipped with.
The safety of our users is the most important, also in the winter. Therefore, TIER’s e-scooters are unavailable for use and cannot be unlocked during days with a lot of ice, snow and sleet. In this way, we avoid dangerous situations that can appear in challenging conditions. During days with heavy snowfall, we collect all our e-scooters from the streets.
Part 4: Parking and checklist
Parking
Riding safely also involves paying respect and attention to the city you ride in and to other users. Parking is an important part of it. Improper parking can create frustration and potentially dangerous situations. Show consideration and park properly.
- Park in marked parking spaces and racks whenever possible. An overview of these can be located in the app.
- Park in a manner that doesn’t block the pedestrian area. You can park next to houses and walls.
- Use the kickstand. Make sure that the e-scooter stands upright when you leave it.
- Do not block entrances and exits to parking garages, bus stops, shops, metro stations and so on.
- If you ride a TIER, take a photo of the parked e-scooter after the ride, to make sure your parking is approved.
Click to expand.
Checklist before the ride
Whether you own or rent an e-scooter, you should take a quick check before you ride. TIER’s e-scooters are always recently inspected and maintained, but we recommend being precautious.
- Give the brakes a quick test – make sure they feel right.
- Test the throttle to make sure it automatically returns to the neutral position after being let go.
- If you see any damages or something not working, like a low-air tire, the app will show you other options nearby.
- If there are any problems with the e-scooter, please report it in the app and we will pick it up quickly.
Test your knowledge here.
The reward for everyone who passes the safety test is 5 free unlocks and 30 minutes driving time.
Physical safety course
Do you want to enroll in a physical safety course? Click the button below to register.