On the evening of October 1, in Riga, near the Imanta railway station, a regulated railway crossing became fatal for two 13-year-old girls.
While riding a shared two-wheeled vehicle "Ride", the female driver ignored the red prohibitory signal at the crossing and did not notice the train approaching from Riga. As a result of the collision, the lives of two children were lost.
The next evening, the Consumer Rights Protection Center announced its decision to ban the use of "Ride" vehicles, but by the next day at noon, the Bez Tabu program confirmed that the red two-wheelers were still available.
Although, according to the data from the Road Traffic Safety Directorate, "Ride" vehicles are classified as bicycles and minors can ride them, the company's app contains a specific clause where it is necessary to confirm that the self-propelled bicycle will be operated by an adult. The girls who died in Imanta were only 13 years old.
"On the 'Ride' platform, we are gradually implementing additional verification mechanisms that will allow for stricter control of the age requirement. However, in practice, there are situations where minors use the data of parents or other individuals. We are actively seeking technical and legal solutions to minimize such cases, including the possibility of linking documents or payment cards to the account," stated Ride Mobility CEO Edgars Jakobsons.
As part of an experiment, Bez Tabu journalists entered a birth date corresponding to a 10-year-old child in the "Ride" app. In the next field, where it is necessary to confirm adulthood by entering the word yes, the app ignores the previously entered data and still allows the use of the electric two-wheeled vehicle.
Consumer rights protection specialists believe the company's current efforts are insufficient to overturn the ban on the service. The firm is currently ignoring this decision, risking facing new sanctions.
