Green City Day was October 1st and it was a day to celebrate and highlight the progress and innovations cities are making to become more sustainable.
A common way cities around the world are contributing to sustainability is through micromobility. In this article we’ll discuss what micromobility is and the measures some cities are taking to go green.
What is micromobility?
Micromobility refers to a range of small, lightweight devices operating at speeds typically below 25km/h (15 mph) and is ideal for trips up to 10km (6.2 miles). These vehicles are sustainable and do not rely on internal combustion engines. Instead, many are powered by electric motors.
The majority of micromobility devices are privately owned, but are often shared-use vehicles that are maintained by a private entity or municipal government. Micromobility devices are particularly appealing to residents in densely packed urban areas, as they provide quick and convenient transportation options.
Top micromobility cities in the United States
These cities have already experienced significant micromobility market growth or have performed important pilot projects.
- Chicago, Illinois
- Los Angeles, California
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Here are important facts to know:
- Chicago established a bikeshare program back in the summer of 2013, and in 2019, the city launched a pilot program for e-scooters. (UIC, 2022)
- The state of Illinois has a $226 million spending package being directed over the next four years to “support carbon-reducing projects. (Bird Cities Blog, 2022)
- In the spring of 2019, Los Angeles began the largest dockless mobility pilot program in the country, permitting some 37,000 dockless vehicles to operate on the city streets. (LADOT, 2020)
- In 2019, the City of Minneapolis launched a mobility hub pilot program to allow easy access to low or no carbon transportation options, including scooters, Nice Ride bicycles, and transit. (Minneapolis City of Lakes, 2022)
What is the future of micromobility?
So, what will it take to successfully implement micromobility in every city?
To start, more cooperation is needed amongst cities, government officials, and public transit agencies. Getting complete buy in from leaders will then prompt those they govern over to follow suit.
Another important aspect to consider is ensuring riders feel safe on the road. It’s safe to say that micromobility travel lanes for e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-mopeds will increase over the coming years.
How Edenred can help
Schedule a meeting today to see how Edenred can help you educate your employees about micromobility to lead to a more sustainable lifestyle.
