Micro mobility is an evolving urban transportation segment that involves the use of lighter vehicles for short-distance commutation. Micro mobility vehicles have evolved over the years to include skateboards, e-scooters, bicycles, shuttles, and electric cars.
Urban transportation has seen an increase in the use of micro-mobility vehicles over the last years due to rapid technology evolution.
Smartphone usage explosion, advancements in GPS tracking, improved connectivity, wide adoption of mobile payments, and enhancements to battery life and cost have made micro-mobility more accessible to consumers.
Why is Micromobility Popular?
Micromobility vehicles such as e-scooters have witnessed massive adoption rates shortly after their launch. California, for example, witnessed 10 million scooter rides within a short period of 12 months of being on the roads.
The use of micro-mobility vehicles such as pedal-based and electric bikes, e-scooters, and cars (via sharing) also witnessed a huge adoption (34 million trips US-wide) within a short period of introduction.
· Micro mobility vehicles are convenient. Users do not have to worry about parking spots, tickets, or fines. They serve as convenient first/ last-mile transportation, enabling users to reach mass transit easily.
· Affordability over existing transport systems (cost of shared e-scooter rides is lesser than mass transit options)
· Micro mobility is increasingly being seen as a smart city and smart energy solution. These vehicles reduce traffic congestion and automobile pollution.
· Micro mobility presents a safer mode of transportation. Though these vehicles are only as safe as existing transport, the risks of deaths and serious injuries are lesser.
Micro-mobility Growth
Experts believe that the current use seen in micro-mobility is only the tip of the iceberg. A wide range of micro-mobility aspects, from vehicle design to capability and use is set to witness a massive transformation in the years ahead.
Other key reasons paving way for micro-mobility demand include:
· Urban Population Growth – The rise of micro-mobility is connected to the rising urban population, which demands easy access to mass transit. More than half of the global population lives in urban regions. This statistic is set to increase by two-thirds by 2050, which will increase the demand for micro-mobility.
