Micromobility
Micromobility is the use of small vehicles(less than 500kg), that travel 15mph(25km/h), to transport individuals over short distances. And, these are powered by electric means or by human(human-powered). Small electric cars, electric kick scooters, scooters, electric bikes, electric skateboards, bicycles, and electric pedal assisted (pedelec) bicycles are common vehicles that meet the profile for micromobility. "Micromobility can use privately owned vehicles or those available as rental vehicles, often in the form of dockless sharing."[1]
When you consider that that the majority of public transit trips are short: usually four miles by bus, two miles by streetcards, and five miles by rail; it is these modes of transportation that can be replaced most easily with micromobility. As well, car travel around cities is often a short distance as well, so many of these trips could also be substituted with a form of micromobility.
Cities For Micromobility
Judging from the success of electric kick scooter and electric bike rental service programs in the large cities, the Micromobility revolution is off to a great start, at least from the ridership perspective. While providers and municipalities continue to tweak the challenges presented with this new micro mode of travel, it is attracting citizens from all walks of life from small to large city spaces, and all age groups.
Affordable and Zero Emissions
Electric vehicles are simply ideal for the environment. With zero emissions, they far exceed any other form of travel(except by foot), in modern day.
If you can't afford to buy an electric kick scooter or electric bike, the two most popular forms of micro travel for an individual; then you can simply rent one at a reasonable cost. And, not everyone wants to bother with ownership, so renting is ideal for those who like the idea of riding and not having to worry about caring for a ekick scooter or ebike. And, apparently, million of citizens like the idea of renting. Lime and Bird, two of the largest rental service providers in the USA(and globally), both had exceptional first years when they started their rental services a few years ago. Millions of miles were logged at both services from electric kick scooters and ebike rentals.
City Bylaws
As more and more city dwellers take on micromobility, city governments are faced with the challenge of implementing laws that allow for ridership of these vehicles, while at the same time keeping everyone safe, including pedestrians. Although ekick scooters and ebike riding bylaws can vary city to city, some commonalities amongst them are: for ekick scooters - -allowed max speed of the ekick scooter,- max engine size permitted, -headlight required, -brakes required, -2 tires required, and, for safety, riders must wear a helmet.
Ride lanes are a challenge, as most cities do not have infastructure in place for electric kick scooters and ebikes. Sidewalks are meant for pedestrians and slow moving bikes and mobility scooters, so most cities are not allowing ekick scooters to ride on sidewalks. Some do allow it if the adjacent road speed is greater than 30 miles per hour, however, the ekick scooter must travel at a slow speed while navigating the sidewalk. And, many cites are opting for riding in the designated bike lanes, that accompany the car lanes. Most cities have selected bike lanes, if any, so many more need to be added to accommodate ekick scooter travel.
Rental Providers Share Data
In addition to adding bylaws for ekick scooter owners, many cities are also introducing rental service programs to allow citizens to rent ekick scooters. Many are implementing the popular 'pilot program', based on the information they have obtained from other larger cities who have already invested in the rental service programs. Since these cities have more insight into what works, it makes sense to make use of their available shared escooter data.
Challenges - Future
Governments have agreed, regulating the ekick scooter market is on ongoing process, and with most following the 'pilot program'. This model works best because they can change what doesn't work and tweak what does as time goes by. Using existing bike lanes and building new ones, is the best approach, for now. Also, for rental users of ekick scooter and ebikes; in many cities, rules have been added to encourage riders to be more responsible with their ride and end of ride protocols. And, for rental providers; building better and more efficient ekick scooters is also a challenge. VIO of Sweden, have done this quite successfully.
EKick Scooter Accidents - Insurance
Another consideration for the small micromobility vehicle is the concern of accidents on ekick scooters, and whether new insurance types should be implemented to provide coverage for such an occurence. Current work regulations, and private insurance policies do not provide any coverage for accidents from a micromobilty vehicle such as electric kick scooter if the scooter rider is themselves injured. Some homeowners policies cover for third party damage or injury, but the concern is for the rider also, because if they are injured they could miss time from work. With the expected growth rate of the micromobilty landscape this could mean a lot of people being affected, so for this reason, the insurance aspect is being discussed.
Reducing Emissions - Plan For The Future
By 2050, urban living population numbers will increase globally, and city congestion will become a problem that city planners must address. They will have to move more people and do it effectively, while at the same time reducing emissions.
Micromobility is the vehicle that will allow them to do so. First and last mile mobility challenges can be met with a plan to define the areas most vulnerable and then add an affordable rental service(escooters, ebikes) that can be used by all income levels. Some cities in Asia, have used this model with much success.
Micromobility Stats - Facts
Rental eScooters
Although, ekick scooter rentals have been around for a while, they really didn't get consumer attention until GPS tracking was made available and added to the rental fleets which made renting a scooter easier. Consumers could track a rental from their smartphone, with the rental service's app, and pay online as well. Returning or ending a scooter ride was simplified also. Geofence areas are used for rental fleets and users can simply leave their rental anywhere within that riding area. Most important, riders can use the rental scooter for one way trips around town. This new technology and ease of use made for a improved market share in the escooter rental sector. And now, in additional to renting an escooter by the hour or time frame of day, many escooter rental providers(and ebike share) are offering monthly subscriptions.
"According to the Boston Consulting Group, subscription-based vehicle services are the fastest-growing option for micromobility usage, with the compound annual growth rate predicted to go up to 30% by 2030."[3]
Growth Rate Globally
The global escooter market is currently valued at about 68 billion USD, with a projected 5.9%(CAGR) growth rate to the year 2030.
Success of Ekick Scooter Starts
"Shared electric kick scooters are considered to have one of the most rapid adoption rates in transport, nearly 4% in one year. Comparatively, it took bikeshare eight years to reach 13% adoption, and carshare 18 years to reach 16% in major United States cities."[2]
Competitive Manufacturing
The cost of lithium-ion, the most used lithium type in manufacturing ekick scooter batteries, has become much cheaper to buy over the last decade. In 2010, it cost $1200 per kilowatt, in the year 2020, $130, per kilowatt. This is beneficial to manufacturers as it allows them to be more competitive and invest in R&D; to build more efficient batteries, and improve the lifespan of ekick scooter components. And, this appeals to investors, who look for profitable ventures, with strong growth rates like those in the micromobility industry.
Meeting Demand
The demand for sustainable transportation is driving the need for micro type initiatives, and with both consumer and business segments requiring such, electric scooters that are battery powered are becoming a popular alternative to traditional transit means, as well as providing support for the underserved short distance segment, pravalent in large city centers.
Electric ekick scooters are lightweight, battery powered, and easy to learn to operate. With their mechanical efficiency, low noise level, low cost of ownership, they are an ideal choice for consumers wanting to downsize from their current way of travel in and around cities. The small carbon footprint of these micro vehicles also contributes to their likeability.
They are good way to supplement the first and last mile travel issues like getting to and from local transit stations and vehicle ride share hubs. And, for short commutes for shopping and recreational.
Also, rental escooter companies will become important as they provide affordable forms of mobility, especially in large cities where a greater demand is needed for segmented areas of the population.
Fleets For Business
Other areas that are looking to implement micromobility fleets are businesses, and industries with selected enclosed compounds like military bases, and large corporations. Business can benefit from ekick scooters. With cheaper costs to operate and maintain, they can provide more efficiency with some aspects of the business model like deliveries. Not to mention they can easily maneuver in traffic because of their small size. Batteries can easily be swapped out to keep downtime to a minimum during peak delivery hours, or business operational hours.
Global Warming - Greenhouse Gases
As greenhouse gases, carbon emissions, and pollutants continue to expand globally, the micromobility landscape is a good way for citizens and business to incorporate a greener future into their lives, and cities.
Quotes
1. Wikipedia.org - Search Micromobility, quoted from article.
2. Wikipedia.org - Search Micromobility, quoted from article.
3. Wikipedia.org- Search Micromobility, quoted from article.
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