Source: Zag Daily

Global consultancy firm McKinsey has estimated the micromobility market in Europe to have reached $70 billion in 2025, outpacing an earlier forecast that predicted it would reach $60 billion by 2025. McKinsey describes this as a shift from rapid expansion, to long-term maturation.

The figure includes both shared and private micromobility revenues across Europe, with vehicle sales and downstream services both represented.

Speaking ahead of the Micromobility Europe event that took place in Berlin on 2-3 June, Darius Scurtu, Expert within the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility, said, “When we built our first proper market model in 2022, the European micromobility market was worth roughly $50 billion. At the time, we expected it to reach around $60 billion by 2025. In fact, it grew to around $70 billion.”

The pace of growth is starting to normalise following a steep rise in the post-pandemic period, though Scurtu says that, “You are talking about growth rates of six, seven or eight percent per year, which is still strong growth.”

Growth factors

The strong performance is partly attributed to a faster recovery of travel patterns following pandemic-related restrictions, and to long-lasting policy changes which were introduced during the pandemic.

“Many cities that implemented pop-up bicycle lanes kept these measures in place. That was an important factor behind the faster development of the market.” Scurtu adds.

The data presented by McKinsey reveals some significant examples of cities that have seen large micromobility usage increases in the last five years, with 14 of the 20 largest cities in the EU seeing big uptake. Between 2020 and 2025, Barcelona added 18 million trips on its Bicing system, and between 2020 and 2024 both Paris and Madrid saw large increases in their shared mobility systems, with 12 million and 10 million trips respectively.

There is a noticeable shift from occasional leisure use to everyday transport. A McKinsey consumer survey reported commuting as one of the most common shared micromobility uses, as well as shopping and other routine errands. Operators’ data also supports this, with LEVA-EU member Lime saying that over half of London trips in key months take place during the peak commuter hours, and Dott finding that 65% of trips are for commuting purposes.

Infrastructure and financial constraints

McKinsey’s consumer research also indicates that many riders view existing infrastructure as inadequate, representing a barrier to greater adoption. 49% of owners of e-bikes and bikes said that improved cycling infrastructure would encourage them to ride more frequently, and 32% feel unsafe riding in current infrastructure conditions.

Scurtu says, “We are entering a phase where it is less about whether micromobility will scale and more about how to make it a better mode of transport. People need an alternative that is flexible, available and affordable. Pushing people away from private cars alone is not enough.”

Affordability is another concern; of shared micromobility users who only ride occasionally, 27% said that high prices are a key reason for not using services more often, with safety concerns close behind at 24%.

McKinsey outline five key ares set to design the next phase of the micromobility sector’s development:

• Affordability
• Reliability and quality
• Safety
• Integration with public services
• Improved suitability for everyday use