The Rise of the Personal Vehicle
Every heard of a Boosted Board? I didn’t until I got hooked on Casey Neistat’s daily vlog. He tears up the streets on NY on an electric, motorized skateboard.
Unless it rains, you’ll see him everyday on this skateboard. What was once an object for a fun hobby or past-time, can now be considered a wholistic personal vehicle.
No parking fees, license, registration, or gas needed. You get where you need without the hassle of lugging around a car and dealing with traffic.
This sparked a thought, “could we see a future of less cars not only because of Uber but because of these personal vehicles-of-one?”
I’m starting to see these everywhere. From electric bike concepts, longboards, small skateboards, and motorized platforms, young tech companies are trying to solve the problem of last mile transport.
In most big cities, there is some infrastructure that can get you within a mile of your final destination. Whether it be a bus or train, public transport has been a staple for decades.
But what do you do when you get off the bus? Walking is often the answer, which can pose its own set of problems. Rain, danger, and slow pace can make a mile walk something to dread.
But now, one of these motorized skateboards can solve your last-mile problem. However, I think we’re seeing a much greater shift than the last mile.
My bet is that these personal vehicles will begin to replace all kinds of transport, short of cross-country excursions.
We’re seeing a much more hybrid approach to transportation. Instead of simply buying a car and using it to get everywhere you go, we’re seeing individuals use Uber, public transport, and personal vehicles in perfect harmony.
Uber for when you’re with a group or dressed nicely. Public transport for work or to the grocery store. A skateboard for everywhere in between.
My hope is to see streets transformed from car-only territory to thoughtfully designed spaces for car, bike, and personal vehicle. As the choice for transportation pivots to hybrid, so will our roads!
— PA
Here are some cool transportation products I’ve seen so far:
