Tag Archive: Europe

  1. Europe leads global mobility funding amid market transition

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    Source: Zag Daily

    A recent report by business accelerator Via ID and data provider Dealroom.co reveals that Europe accounted for 40% of all global mobility transactions in 2024, surpassing both Asia (30%) and the United States (21%). This significant share underscores Europe’s prominent role in driving innovation within the mobility sector.

    The “State of the European Mobility Startups 2024” report highlights key trends shaping the industry. Since 2018, Europe has consistently led in mobility deal volume, despite an overall decline in venture capital (VC) funding following the post-COVID boom. In 2024, total funding for the European mobility sector fell by 30% compared to 2023, dropping from $9 billion to $6 billion—a figure reminiscent of 2019 levels. This contraction saw the sector slip from the third to the fifth most-funded industry in Europe, though it has remained a top-five sector for the past decade.

    Pierre Gonnet, Corporate Innovation Manager at Via ID and the report’s principal contributor, emphasised Europe’s enduring strength in global mobility innovation.“Europe continues to demonstrate its importance in global innovation, accounting for 40% of all deals in the mobility sector. Sectors such as EV infrastructure and manufacturing are reaching maturity, turning to debt financing. The market favours B2B, asset-light, and technology-intensive business models.” Gonnet explained.

    The mobility sector experienced a notable dual transition in 2024. Capital-intensive models, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging, saw a threefold increase in debt financing, amounting to $9 billion between 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, equity financing grew significantly for asset-light models like software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, which comprised 38% of total mobility investments in 2024, up from 14% the previous year.

    Gonnet concluded that “the European sustainable mobility ecosystem is well-positioned to grow and shape the future of transportation.” As the sector continues to evolve, the report suggests that Europe’s innovative edge and adaptability will keep it at the forefront of global mobility developments.

  2. Bloomberg Philanthropies provides $100,000 grants for art-focused street redesign projects

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    Source: Zag Daily

    Bloomberg Philanthropies is expanding its Asphalt Art Initiative grants, increasing funding fourfold to support projects focused on traffic safety and public spaces that protect cyclists and pedestrians through asphalt art interventions.

    Asphalt art involves visually striking designs on roadways and pedestrian areas, using vibrant colours to enhance visibility and reduce collisions.

    Originally launched in 2019 for cities across North America and Europe, the initiative offered $25,000 grants. Now, Bloomberg Philanthropies, based in New York City, will provide grants of up to $100,000 to 10 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. for arts-driven street redesign projects.

    “Incorporating art into street safety improvements affirms that city streets are used not only by drivers, but by pedestrians and cyclists too, and should be designed to accommodate all users safely,” said David Andersson, a member of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Arts Team, in an interview with Zag Daily.

    “Based on the success of the initiative’s past projects, we have increased the grant size to $100,000 to invite even larger and more ambitious traffic safety and public space projects with the potential for catalytic impact.

    “We want to support interventions that transform signature streets, create dynamic new pedestrian plazas, or enact other similarly transformative roadway redesigns.”

    To date, Bloomberg Philanthropies has backed 90 projects across North America and Europe, including the pedestrianisation of Times Square during Michael Bloomberg’s tenure as mayor. This project closed sections of Broadway to vehicular traffic, opened them to pedestrians, and transformed 2.5 acres of asphalt with vibrant murals, leading to a 35% drop in pedestrian injuries, a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and Times Square being named a top 10 global retail destination.

    A 2022 Bloomberg Philanthropies Safety Study of 22 asphalt art projects in the U.S. found a 50% reduction in crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists and a 27% increase in drivers yielding to pedestrians. These findings contributed to the inclusion of asphalt art in U.S. street design guidelines for the first time.

    All cities in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. with populations of at least 50,000 are eligible to apply for the grant. Project teams must include a city agency or department as the lead applicant. Selected cities will receive technical support from Bloomberg Associates in collaboration with tactical urbanism firm Street Plans Collaborative and evaluation assistance from transportation firm Sam Schwartz.

    “The selection criteria for applicants includes a project’s potential impact, viability, and quality and visual interest. Projects should be ambitious arts-driven street redesigns that address a meaningful and specific safety challenge, engage community members, and include metrics to measure success.”

  3. European Road Safety Observatory Report: The crucial role of helmets, seatbelts, and child restraint systems

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    Source: European Commission

    A new report from the European Road Safety Observatory underscores the critical role of helmets, seatbelts, and child restraint systems in reducing fatalities and serious injuries on the road. Proper use of motorcycle helmets can decrease the risk of fatal crashes by approximately 40% and severe head injuries by nearly 70%. Likewise, bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of fatal head or brain injuries by an average of 71%. Seatbelts lower the risk of fatal incidents by 60% for front-seat occupants and 44% for rear-seat passengers. Correctly used child restraint systems reduce the likelihood of death or injury by around 60% compared to unrestrained children.

    Compliance and Challenges

    While compliance with seatbelt laws is generally high, some countries still face challenges, particularly regarding rear-seat passengers. Motorcycle helmet use is also largely compliant, with a few exceptions. However, the correct and consistent use of bicycle helmets and child restraint systems is less prevalent, with many instances of incorrect or non-use.

    The Importance of Education and Enforcement

    Educational programs play a vital role in promoting the use of protective equipment, but enforcement of legislation is equally important. In most EU countries, the perceived likelihood of being checked or fined for not using protective gear remains relatively low, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement measures.

    EU Road Safety Goals and Legislative Framework

    The EU has set an ambitious target to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030, as outlined in the EU road safety policy framework for 2021-2030. While the responsibility for traffic rules and enforcement lies primarily with EU Member States, EU laws mandate the use of motorcycle helmets, seatbelts, and child restraint systems. This latest report is part of the European Commission’s ongoing efforts to promote safer mobility across the EU, with the European Road Safety Observatory regularly publishing research on key road safety topics.

  4. Varied regulations impact speed pedelec usage across Europe

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    Source: Fietsberaad

    A recent study conducted by Mobycon on behalf of the German bicycle industry association Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV) sheds light on the diverse regulations governing speed pedelecs in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The findings reveal significant disparities, with Switzerland and Denmark permitting speed pedelecs on almost all cycle paths, while in Germany, they are restricted to roadways.

    Mobycon conducted this research to compare the slow growth of speed pedelec usage in Germany to other countries. More than 22,000 speed pedelecs were sold in Switzerland in 2022, which accounted for approximately 10 percent of the total number of e-bikes sold. Meanwhile, in Germany 11,000 pedelecs were sold, despite it being a country with a population ten times bigger than Switzerland’s. According to the report by ZIV and Mobycon, these differences are related to the quality of the cycling infrastructure and clear enforceable regulations.

    According to Mobycon, based on current accident data, it cannot be objectively determined whether it is safer for speed pedelecs to be used on roads or on cycle paths. However, the report notes that accidents involving speed pedelecs tend to result in more severe consequences than those with regular bicycles.

    In Denmark and Switzerland the speed pedelec is treated as a bicycle, whereas in the Netherlands the speed pedelec is only allowed on cycle paths if mopeds are also permitted there. Notably, the Netherlands is the sole country among the five studied to have an adjusted speed limit for speed pedelecs on cycle paths.

    In Germany, the prohibition of speed pedelecs on cycle paths is thought to be due to limitations in existing cycling infrastructure, with cycle paths often being too narrow to accommodate speed pedelecs or cargo bikes, and may need to be shared with pedestrians. Unlike the Netherlands, Germany lacks a consistent provision of separate cycling infrastructure; in the Netherlands, cycle paths are mandatory on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h.

    The most lenient stance towards speed pedelecs is observed in Switzerland, where authorities are considering widening cycle paths rather than imposing bans. This nuanced approach highlights the complex interplay between regulations, infrastructure, and the adoption of speed pedelecs across European countries.

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