![]() But it is only in the last few years that these modes have emerged as a true potential solution for urban mobility, enabled by advances in GPS tracking, connectivity, mobile payments, battery cost and longevity, and the growing ubiquity of smartphones.Įlectric scooter services, in particular, have stormed from city to city since their commercial launches less than two years ago. ![]() Micromobility vehicles have a long history, going back at least two centuries from the invention of the bicycle through to the Razor kick scooter of the 1990s and, more recently, a variety of personally owned vehicles powered by small electric motors, ranging from hoverboards to scooters to skateboards, all with between one and four wheels. That said, our conversations with industry leaders have made it clear that we are only scratching the surface with what is possible in terms of vehicle shape, size, and capability we expect to see a variety of new designs emerging in the near future that stretch the definition of what might be considered micromobility. Practically, in most markets today, micromobility means shared scooters and bikes (both human-powered and those with electric motors, docked and dockless). (Predictably, some have used micromobility modes in both of these spaces, resulting in conflicts with other users.) In short, micromobility leverages bike space in ways that were not originally intended, and it is within this slice of public infrastructure that we expect much of the innovation in the industry to occur. And it is unsuitable for vehicle-occupied roads dominated by cars and trucks capable of highway speeds. It is unsuitable for sidewalks, which are the domain of pedestrians and certain very-low-speed vehicles. Conversely, consider what micromobility isn’t. ![]() That can mean dedicated bike lanes, along with roadside areas that are the de facto or de jure areas where bicyclists travel. Possibly the most fruitful way to think about what micromobility is and can be is in relation to existing infrastructure: Micromobility constitutes forms of transport that can occupy space alongside bicycles. Multiple criteria can be applied to define micromobility: weight (less than 500 kg), 4 passenger or payload capacity, powertrain (human-powered or electric), maximum speeds or ranges, and others. Micromobility: Where it’s come from and where it’s going And we suggest practices for micromobility providers and government agencies eager to find a productive path forward. 3 In this article, we explore the evolution of the micromobility market and offer a glimpse into where it may be going. Yet like any new entrants into a well-established system, many of these services have faced resistance, backlash, and growing pains, as seen most visibly in the sometimes-rocky relationship between city governments and e-scooter providers. They have the potential to better connect people with public transit, reduce reliance on private cars, and make the most of existing space by “right-sizing” the vehicle, all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions (although the picture is somewhat clouded by the need to use conventional vans or trucks to collect, charge, and reallocate e-scooters and e-bikes should be accounted for). Electric scooters, docked and dockless shared bikes, and other vehicle types are shrinking the physical footprint needed to move people over relatively short distances.Ĭollectively dubbed micromobility, these services have clearly resonated with consumers, as evinced by their rapid adoption over just the last several months. Explore the Future of mobility collectionįour and a half decades later, a fast-growing set of services are challenging “gigantism” in transportation-in the form of personal, often single-occupant cars-and championing the virtues of smallness.
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