The evidence shows that micromobility has big role to play in reducing traffic in our cities
There’s been a lot of criticism about urban micromobility solutions, but as more and more cities extend the use of electric scooters and bikes, the evidence shows that this flexible approach to transportation is helping reduce car use and thus make life better for residents and visitors alike.
Micromobility has a short history, but one that has seen intense change. The introduction of scooters and bikes was chaotic, as numerous providers using dockless models that saw vehicles abandoned, often posing a danger to pedestrians as well as being an eyesore.
But over the last year or so, we’ve seen how in many cities, the number of providers has been reduced, and who have encourage more respectful use by controlling where their vehicles are left, typically in specific locations created by eliminating parking spaces for cars. Working closely with city authorities, providers have also incorporated speed or access restriction systems through geofencing, which is helping to reduce unsafe use while providing municipalities with real-time information on usage dynamics, increasing their understanding of urban mobility needs. The vehicles themselves have also been evolving, becoming more robust, safer, while rechargeable allow for on-the-spot charging.
