DRUNK CYCLISTS: Copenhagen sees unique partnership offering taxis to potentially drunk cyclists

Image credit: Dantaxi

It is not always the case that the two-wheelers and four-wheelers can come together for a common cause. But the common cause is exactly what TIER Mobility and Denmark's largest taxi company, Dantaxi, have taken the initiative to do. The two companies have entered a unique technology collaboration to reduce the number of people riding electric bikes (e-bikes) under the influence of alcohol.

The unique collaboration between the two transport companies has come about after TIER entered the Copenhagen market for shared bicycles in the month of March. As a result of the agreement, active users of the TIER app will be, between 10pm and 5am, Thursday to Sunday, asked if they have been drinking alcohol - if they reply with "yes" then they will be referred to Dantaxis app and clearly instructed not to return home using a TIER e-bike.

TEIR Regional City Manager in Denmark, Frederik Heesch Hansen, said: “We are very happy about the collaboration with Dantaxi. It is Denmark's largest taxi company that works with sustainability, seriously and systematically. Together, we have developed a solution that not only encourages people to leave the electric bike standing, but also makes it easy to choose a safe and responsible alternative by ordering a taxi directly via the TIER app. It is in everyone's interest to avoid drink driving. We do not want to see anyone get injured on an electric bicycle.”

Commercial Director of Dantaxi, Vibeke Wolfsberg, said: “Every weekend, Dantaxi's drivers transport tens of thousands of people from Copenhagen, to and from the city, but new forms of mobility, such as sharing bicycles and electric scooters, can tempt young people, in particular, to drive under the influence of alcohol, and that is an unfortunate development.

“It is in the taxi industry's DNA that one of our most important tasks is to ensure that young people come home safely from a festive trip in the city. Leaving the car when you have been drinking, and instead taking a taxi, is a well-known slogan that the Danes have fortunately long ago adopted. But driving under the influence of alcohol is no longer limited to car transportation. We would very much like to establish that with this initiative.”

The companies jointly want to expand mobility in the city. Dantaxi sees the collaboration as a natural part of the change the transportation industry is undergoing in recent years.

Vibeke Wolfsberg added: “Transportation in the big city is changing rapidly. The trend is that micro-mobility, car sharing, and other transport solutions are gaining ground at the expense of the traditional privately owned car. The taxi has an important place in that development. The collaboration between Dantaxi and TIER is an example of how different forms of mobility merge and with the help of technology are adapted to the different needs of users at different times.”

From Friday 8 April the integration between the apps of the two companies will be activated. The collaboration is not only limited to Copenhagen but also to other areas in Denmark where TIER offers their services. In addition to Copenhagen, they are providing their services in Odense and Herning.