'Rider Check': A Cognitive Test for Enhanced Safety

In our ongoing commitment to rider safety and responsible micromobility, Beam's ‘Rider Check ', an innovative in-app cognitive test designed to deter drink-riding, is available to cities across Australia and New Zealand in a blend of rider education and enforcement.

Understanding Rider Check:

'Rider Check' is a proactive measure aimed at discouraging riders from operating e-scooters under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This cognitive test is strategically deployed during peak travel hours on Friday and Saturday nights, targeting various high-traffic hotspots and nightlife areas.

Importantly, 'Rider Check' gives cities the ability to prevent riders from starting a trip for a number of hours if they fail the test, directing riders to other forms of transportation like rideshares or taxis.

How It Works:

Scientific Foundation:

The technology behind 'Rider Check' draws inspiration from the well-known Heart and Flowers test, a validated measure of cognitive behaviour impairment. This test has been extensively utilised in clinical studies, including those led by Assistant Professor Sang Won (Grace) Bae of Stevens Institute of Technology. Professor Bae's prior work in developing machine learning technology for detecting substance intoxication has greatly influenced the development of 'Rider Check.'

Assistant Professor Sang Won (Grace) Bae shared her insights, stating, "As confirmed in our study, the delayed reaction time of cognitive tests (e.g., Heart and Flowers) strongly correlates with substance intoxication. Our preliminary results highlight its potential for use in real-world situations."

Beam's Perspective:

Whilst the majority of riders do the right thing, the small number of riders who don't contribute negatively to the perception of micromobility in cities. 'Rider Check' has become a significant part of our safety framework, adding another layer of safety to our service that doesn’t exist for privately-owned e-scooters, which generally do not have anything to prevent usage under the influence.

Through our geo-fencing technology, Rider Check can be strategically deployed in specific areas around a city, working closely with local councils and local police in identifying risky areas. This specificity is important, as there are reasons why a rider may not pass a cognitive-based test that aren’t due to riding under the influence.

Our approach is hence to limit the use of Rider Check to specific nightlife areas and specific times of the night only, to deter those under the influence from riding on our platform, but at the same time also ensuring a reliable transportation option for everyone else. Data shows deploying Rider Check outside of nightlife areas such as pubs/clubs has prevented up to 40% of riders from commencing a trip in these areas.

As Beam continues to pioneer advancements in micromobility, features like 'Rider Check' are a result of our unwavering commitment to rider safety, responsibility, and the promotion of secure urban mobility experiences.

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