York Expands E-Scooter Trial With Launch Of E-Bikes From TIER

York is expanding its successful e-scooter trial with the roll-out of 50 e-bikes from Europe’s largest micro-mobility operator, TIER, to boost sustainable transport options for residents and visitors in the city.

Riders can pick up the e-bikes from various locations in the city, including both of York’s university campuses and York Hospital, and ride them along a number of dedicated routes. Renting an e-bike will cost the same as an e-scooter, with riders charged £1 to unlock the vehicle and 15p per minute travelled. Residents or visitors could also benefit from TIER’s day pass or monthly subscription package, which will allow them to save money on unlocks or use an e-bike for the day at a fixed price.

Along with the launch of the e-bike fleet, TIER is also replacing its fleet of 250 e-scooters with new and upgraded models, which come with several new features to promote responsible riding. This includes a smaller foot pad to help combat tandem-riding, and new e-scooter IDs to make it easier for people to report irresponsible use of the vehicles. The new e-scooters will also have TIER’s integrated helmet, double kickstand and dual drum brakes for stable riding on uneven surfaces.

The Department for Transport (DfT)-approved trial began in October 2020 and, to date, TIER e-scooters in York have been used by over 6,500 people as the scheme has expanded across the City Centre and into key neighbourhood locations. To promote responsible parking, TIER now has almost 40 parking bays across York, clearly marked on the road and in the TIER app, reducing the risk of e-vehicles being abandoned or misparked.

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Transport, said: “From e-scooters to improving EV charging, York’s electric vehicle landscape is developing quickly ,and we are pleased to see that the variety of transport modes available is widening choice for residents to get around sustainably.

“This trial is a great opportunity to explore how e-bikes can add to the mix of sustainable transport options in York, whilst helping to improve air quality and expand our electric vehicle offer. We are working closely with TIER to ensure that this new mode of sustainable travel fits the needs of our residents and visitors as we work together to create a greener, cleaner city. Availability of e-bikes for hire and the new scooter design will help to make this service even more accessible for a wider range of users.”

Georgia Yexley, Head of Cities UK & Ireland, said: “We are very excited that we can now offer York residents and visitors the option of our e-bikes as a green, active mode of getting around the city, as well as the safest e-scooter in the market.

“We are passionate about reducing congestion and pollution in cities across Europe and believe our growing e-vehicle fleets can become a valuable ingredient in the city’s transport mix.”

TIER, founded in 2018, was the first micro-mobility provider in the world to go climate-neutral and in June 2020 reached profitability, shortly before securing a $250 million Series C fundraising. The company operates in more than 95 cities including Paris, Berlin and Dubai.

The Department for Transport (DfT) are currently carrying out a city-wide survey for users of the TIER Mobility app to gather insight on user experience as York participates in the DfT-approved trial. Sign up to the app to share your views as part of the DfT evaluation.

Residents are reminded that the use of private electric scooters on public land (including roads, paths and pavements) remains illegal in the UK. If you are caught whilst riding a private e-scooter you can be fined, given points on your licence and the vehicle could be seized. TIER e-scooters and e-bikes are legal on roads and cycle paths in York but not pedestrian-only footways.

To find out more about the current service operating across York and to download the TIER app visit https://www.itravelyork.info/e-scooter-trial.