Can Mopeds Finally Fix Personal Mobility?

Mopeds as a service occupy a unique space within the broader category of “micromobility” and come with their own sets of pros and cons.When compared with Seqway-like offerings hogging the sidewalks of many US cities, it is easy to see the attraction of an alternative that can be operated (and perhaps more importantly, regulated) as if it were any other car on the road. Mopeds offer an answer to personal mobility that may be more sustainable and safer than many of the solutions that have been offered so far.

It will take more time to see if mopeds can live up to the hype. With early programs being offered in Brooklyn and D.C., there will soon be a wealth of data available to assess the usability, affordability, and safety of this transportation solution. If they do prove to be a sustainable answer to this unique problem, it is easy to see how offerings could be scaled up in much the same way bike rentals have become ubiquitous in many US cities.

Mopeds as a service may prove to answer the question of personal mobility for many citizens through the combination of a familiar, well regulated, and approachable vehicle and affordable, easy to use apps.

References:

Small, A. (2019, September 5). How to Survive Your First Electric Motor Scooter Ride. Retrieved from https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2019/09/revel-electric-scooter-rental-review-moped-safety-tips-app/597367/