The global market for micromobility is expected to cross the 150 billion USD threshold by 2025. Adoption is growing rapidly as more users experience firsthand the benefits and conveniences that micromobility options afford. Primarily comprised of two-wheeled electrified vehicles like e-scooters, micromobility companies like Lyft, Lime, and many other smaller providers are carving out their place in a burgeoning segment.
In urban settings, we’re beginning to see the future of micromobility industry expand, particularly as it relates to smart mobility. Ridership depends on a few key components like convenience, safety, efficiency, enjoyment, and reliability. Here are micromobility trends that companies employ to serve those purposes.
Simplified use for adoption
While a motorcycle is smaller and more convenient to navigate urban developments than a passenger car, they require licensing and certification, and they’re not as safe as one would imagine. Rather than spending countless hours getting licensed and getting experience, micromobility solutions like e-scooters give similar convenience with enhanced safety measures.
In a trend report by Star, “most or all” providers require completion of a short safety course to ensure riders get familiar with the vehicle. And to mitigate inexperienced riders getting into an accident, most employ a “Beginner’s mode” that reduces speeds considerably until the rider is comfortable.
By simplifying transportation and making it simple for new users to get on the platform safely, urban smart mobility providers pave the way for greater adoption.
Fast and convenient reservations
The use of micromobility options is almost exclusively for short-distance commutes or last-mile transportation. Smart cities aiming to transition away from a primary reliance on personal vehicles need these convenient options available to riders consistently. If a train commuter can’t obtain an e-scooter to replace a 15-minute walk from the station to the office every time, then they’re likely to fall back on their vehicle, congesting traffic and taking up a parking spot.
Urban micromobility providers integrate into smart cities by ensuring the right number and type of options are available, and riders can secure them with short-notice in-app reservations.
Subscription for cost-effectiveness
An occasional ride on a e-scooter or e-bike for travelers to sightsee may be one small component for micromobility solutions, but the vast majority of users are seeking a low-cost vehicle replacement or supplement. To keep costs reasonable, subscriptions are available for all the major micromobility options, but it’s more than just about saving money. Subscriptions mean the rider can engage with the service wherever they go – a crucial component for not just commuters but international students and vacationers too.
Geo-fenced boundaries
Geo-location within the city also serves safety purposes as some providers track riders who incorrectly use sidewalks rather than approved lanes for travel. They can offer corrective advice or suspend service for repeat offenders, helping keep pedestrians safe.
Moving toward urban smart transportation
More communities are integrating automotive digital solutions and micromobility options. Focuses might vary from greener transportation or cost-effective options to more efficient commutes that reduce traffic congestion. Developers like the Star automotive consultancy play a pivotal role as micromobility companies identify pain points and seek to find solutions that work for the community as well as the citizens who live there.
