Micromobility

RELATED TOPICS: E-bikes, Bike Share, Equity, Connected Multimodal Networks

E-scooters, e-bikes, and station-based and dockless bike share systems (collectively known as "micromobility") offer a convenient complement to existing transportation options. These emerging modes present opportunities to enhance travel choices and improve connectivity within communities. As with any new technology, there is much to learn about safe implementation, user compliance, and infrastructure planning and design to support their growth.

Micromobility provides additional travel options that can complement other modes of transportation. Since 2017, a variety of companies have introduced electric kick-scooters for shared use across the U.S., resulting in millions of trips each year. Many communities view micromobility as a way to support transit by offering connections for short trips to and from transit hubs. Shared micromobility devices, such as e-scooters and e-bikes, provide flexible travel options, but they also present considerations for safety, regulation, and planning. Best practices and policies are continually evolving and may vary by location.

In 2020, shared micromobility in the U.S. experienced significant changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many cities temporarily pausing their programs and operators adjusting their services. During this time, micromobility played a role in providing essential travel options and recreational opportunities. The pandemic introduced many first-time users to e-scooters and bike share, and several cities implemented new infrastructure projects to accommodate increased demand for biking and walking. While the future of shared micromobility remains uncertain, recent experiences have demonstrated its potential and identified areas for further improvement and adaptation.

Resources

E-Scooter Safety: Issues and Solutions identifies safety risks emerging from the growing use of e-scooters and offers a Toolbox to help state and local agencies implement practices to improve safety and use data tools and methods for safety evaluation.

USDOT Micromobility Activities outlines micromobility efforts and activities from Federal agencies and include research, coordination, and funding opportunities.

FHWA Federal Policy, Research, and Funding Opportunities for Shared Micromobility Projects summarizes a presentation on challenges and opportunities for micromobility related to policy and funding.

Shared Micromobility Playbook explores core components of a comprehensive shared micromobility policy for local governments to consider.

Micromobility Regulations and Permitting Equity Synthesis provides a synthesis of regulations and permitting related to shared micromobility systems.

Safer Micromobility summarizes an analysis of the latest trends and risks in micromobility safety.

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Examples

Bikeshare and E-scooter Systems in the U.S. documents the rapid growth of bikeshare and e-scooter systems across the country from 2015 to present.

Measuring Access to New Mobility provides overview of dockless system in Washington, District of Columbia.

Shared E-Scooter Operations in 3 Cities Adapt describes how three cities adapted to the shutdown of Superpedestrian’s micromobility services.

Bicycle Friendly Community Ideabook provides case studies, resources, and projects to support biking in communities.

Micromobility Injury Coding Poster categorizes injuries related to emerging micromobility devices for improved injury surveillance and for patients in a healthcare setting.

Sharing Spaces with Robots: The Basics of Personal Delivery Devices clarifies terms and definitions for personal delivery devices, describes their physical and operational characteristics, and provides an overview of key policy and research areas affecting their deployment with an emphasis on pedestrians and bicyclists.

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