Bolt has become the first micromobility operator to launch a “reckless rider” score feature to help tackle unsafe e-scooter habits.
The new scoring system evaluates each rider based on inputs collected from their scooter. This includes the detection of tandem riding, frequent abrupt braking and skidding, collisions and illegal parking.
These behaviours are ranked at the end of each ride and the user’s riding habits are evaluated after every five rides.
If a rider scores within the top 2% of reckless riders in a city, Bolt will implement a three-step process to promote safer riding habits.
The rider will first receive educational materials on how to use a scooter safely. If their score does not improve over the next five rides, their scooter speed will then be limited to 15 kilometres per hour hour for the next five rides.
Finally, if these these two measures are unsuccessful, the user will be suspended from using Bolt e-scooters for one week.
This feature is currently being tested in Germany and Portugal as part of Bolt’s Scooter Safety Pledge, which was developed in partnership with Steer. It will then be rolled out to other markets over the next few months.
Within the pledge, Bolt committed to several measures to enhance the safety of micromobility. This includes collaborating with cities to set up safe micromobility infrastructure, tackling intoxicated riding and delivering effective rider education.
Matthew Clark, Head of New Mobility at Steer said:Shared micromobility has significant potential to reduce car trips in our cities. To unlock this potential, a strong focus on the safety of shared micromobility is vital. This approach can maximise user confidence in e-scooters as a new mode of transport and give cities confidence to facilitate provision of long-term partnerships with operators. Steer is pleased to support the research behind this report which demonstrates Bolt’s commitment to placing the safety of e-scooter users and non-users at the core of their shared e-scooters operations.
