Tag Archive: Micromobility

  1. Micro-mobility study 2023: High number of users in the countryside and among the elderly. Over 50% reduce trips by car

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    Cologne, May 25, 2023. BEM (Bundesverband eMobilität e.V.) presented its eMobility Micromobility Study 2023 at the polisMOBILITY trade fair in Cologne, together with the member companies, the market research company UScale, and the information portal for sustainable mobility, voylt. It examines the attitudes of owners, interested parties and non-owners of light electric vehicles towards micromobility in Germany and provides insight into the social behavior of the buyer groups.

    Light electric vehicles (LEVs) are considered the new vehicle alternative to the car and are technical vehicles in the drive for revolution. What the average consumer often associates solely with offers such as e-scooters and pedelecs, and which the regulator divides into several sub-groups, has meanwhile become a growing field of diverse vehicle innovations in micro-mobility. In addition to the vehicles of the Small Electric Vehicles Ordinance (eKFV) up to 20 km/h, they also include two-wheel, three-wheel or four-wheel motor vehicles from 25 km/h, which are intended for driving on public roads and which include both passenger and logistics vehicles. In order to cover the entire spectrum, micro electric vehicles without handlebars that are not registered in Germany were also included in the study.

    The main results of the study are:

    1. Micromobility is not a big city phenomenon. In rural areas, LEVs are used even more frequently than in the city.
    2. All age groups drive light vehicles equally. Older people in particular are discovering these vehicles for themselves in order to remain mobile, for example because of health restrictions.
    3. LEVs are currently used by people who tend to be higher earners.
    4. The majority of those who have property are well connected to public transport. So LEVs do not compete with local public transport.
    5. 53% of owners state that they use the car less, 6% even reported that they have given up their own car.

    In the representative survey of 1,110 people in Germany, the attitude of the respondents to micromobility or LEVs was surveyed. In addition, around 800 other owners and interested parties were interviewed for more in-depth analysis of their experiences in the purchasing process and use. The total sample of the study conducted in April 2023 was 1,890 participants.

    Since light electric vehicles are significantly smaller and lighter than an average car, they make an important contribution to climate protection and resource conservation. Due to their size advantage, they take up less space in stationary and moving traffic, reduce noise, and consume less CO2 and primary energy over their life cycle.

    Further evaluation of the data revealed:

    1. Buyers have a great need for information on technical and regulatory issues. They do most of their research online. However, the majority buys from specialist dealers (46%).
    2. 20% of owners have had prior experience of sharing LEVs. Half of them state that these experiences encouraged them to buy an LEV.
    3. In addition to the price, the range and the technical equipment are the most important factors in the purchase decision.
    4. 31% of non-owners are generally interested in a purchase, another 10% at least certify that LEVs have a great future and for another 36% LEVs occasionally make sense. Only 5% of non-haves are opposed to LEVs in principle.
    5. The uninterested recognize that LEVs are more than just a fad. However, they would like stricter regulation to make it safer for LEVs to participate in traffic.

    Dr. Axel Sprenger, Founder and Managing Director of UScale said (translated from release in German):

    “We don’t see a culture war between the vehicles among those surveyed, but rather a search for the optimal, personal use. Since the market is very young and there is a lack of information in many places, people are groping their way forward. We, as market analysts, are finally getting closer to this area, which is so important for the mobility transition, and we are glad that we can now present a major study on this important topic for the first time.”

    Johannes Haas, Founder and Managing Director of voylt commented (translated from release in German):

    “For us, the results show that the tiresome discussion about shared e-scooters in poorly regulated cities is obscuring the opportunities for micromobility. In reality, the increase in personal comfort through electric light vehicles is confirmed in highly individualized mobility: employees who commute 20 km to their place of work in the neighboring town every day with an e-moped; retirees using an electric tricycle for shopping trips; entrepreneurs who are increasingly using electric vans, or singles who can fit into any parking space in the big city with an electric MicroCar – there are great and convenient ways today to protect the environment in everyday life and still be mobile.”

    Christian Heep, Vice-President BEM | Bundesverband eMobilität e.V. shared (translated from release in German):

    “Anyone who wants to rethink mobility cannot avoid individualization through the use of micromobility and light electric vehicles. The fact that this area in Germany – in contrast to many of our European neighbors – is not subsidized by the state makes it clear how many options for reducing CO2 emissions are still unused.”

    In the Bundesverband eMobilität e.V., the BEM working group 1 deals with this market segment.
    The Bundesverband eMobilität (BEM) is an association of companies, institutions, scientists and users from the field of electromobility who are committed to converting mobility in Germany to electromobility based on renewable energies. The tasks of the BEM include the active networking of economic actors for the development of sustainable and intermodal mobility solutions, the improvement of the legal framework for the expansion of e-mobility, and the enforcement of more equal opportunities when converting to low-emission drive concepts. The association was founded in 2009. It organizes 450 member companies with an annual turnover of over 100 billion euros who employ over one million people worldwide. More than 2,000 registered participants work in 19 working groups on the entire range of e-mobility.

    UScale advises car manufacturers, utilities and service providers on the customer-oriented design of offers and the development of KPI systems for customer perception. UScale’s work is based on customer insight studies on all aspects of e-mobility and an evaluation process for the acceptance of digital services from the customer’s point of view. UScale is the only provider of a panel specializing in e-mobility, with over 7000 panelists in German-speaking countries.

    voylt is a European portal for sustainable e-mobility, which offers interested parties a wide range of information and intuitive purchase advice. The name is a combination of voyage and volt – it stands for an exciting journey into the electric future.

  2. THOR AVAS to take part in the international exhibition of Micromobility

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    Micromobility Europe is returning to Amsterdam on June 8-9 for a two-day overview of the micro electric transport market and presenting solutions to revolutionize future cities.

    THOR AVAS will harmoniously join this electric vibe with the participation of the world’s leading manufacturers, people involved in innovation, and leaders in the field of micromobility. THOR will present its AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System) project for LEVs with an electric scooter as a sample.

    This sound branding & safety solution for EVs is based on the patented principle of sound transmission – both recorded from real engines of cool supercars, and artificially created by our team of acoustic and sound designers. Silent scooters often lead to accidents, and a harmonious sound will help all road users to notice the approach of a high-speed e-vehicle in advance.

    Guests will be able to come to booth #610 near the registration desk and talk with company representatives, listen to the Thor AVAS sound on an e-scooter, and also ride it at the test track.

    The capital of narrow streets and canals, bicycles, fields of tulips and cheese factories, creative freedom and opportunities will host more than 100 speakers from all over the world, 500+ brands, and more than 1500 guests under one roof of the large De Kromhouthal exhibition center. An unforgettable atmosphere and constant movement are the core values that attract visitors to Micromobility Europe, the world’s fastest-growing mobile conference, which will be held in the capital of the Netherlands. The participants will enjoy a rich program of speakers and fruitful networking, communication with industry founders, journalists, investors, observers, technologists, politicians, and startups from more than 500 cities.

    During the exhibition, all exhibitors and guests will have a unique opportunity to ride the most innovative electric scooters, bicycles, boards and buggies.

    Webinars will cover the key issues that are redefining urban mobility: the energy crisis, profitability of scooters, post-coronavirus street space, e-bike boom, last-mile delivery, WFH trends, MaaS systems, supply chain disruptions, 15-minute cities, fast trading, road safety, urban sustainability and more.

    Venue: Kromhouthal, Gedempt Hamerkanaal 231, 1021 KP Amsterdam, Netherlands

    About THOR (Car Systems LLC):

    The THOR manufacturing company was founded in 2017 and the first successful project was a revolutionary electronic exhaust system for petrol and diesel vehicles. The THOR team of engineers and acoustics is engaged in the development of software and hardware, the design of acoustic elements, and has patents for technologies in the field of recording and reproducing the sounds of real supercar engines. THOR sound engineers have created the largest library of sounds that is transmitted through an electronic module to the speaker, controlled through the application, synchronizing with every cycle of movement of any type of vehicle. Since 2020, the Thor AVAS project has been launched – encompassing the sound accompaniment of electric vehicles, based on the patented principle of reproducing sound samples and operating within the framework of the established UNECE regulation on noise and sound No. 138.

    https://thor-avas.com/ | E-mail: info@thor-avas.com

  3. Bike lanes need adaptation to include micromobility, study finds

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    Source: Zag Daily, Y. Pinheiro

    The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) has called for a redesign of urban bike lanes to accommodate a range of micromobility alternatives.

    NACTO’s new study titled “Designing for Small Things With Wheels” provides strategies to adjust bike infrastructure to accommodate variations in sizes and speeds of vehicles such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and cargo bikes. The paper suggests that current infrastructure designs have traditionally favoured confident riders (typically adult men), leaving other potential users (including children, seniors, women, people with disabilities, and those transporting goods) out of the equation. The study states that bike lanes are the safest and most comfortable place for people using a wide array of, often electrified, small things with wheels, as they are vulnerable to car traffic.

    The adaptation of bike infrastructure would require extra width to accommodate larger vehicles and allow comfortable passing, as well as the creation of dedicated space at intersections. According to the paper, wider-protected bike lanes are especially important to protect children and caregivers, side-by-side riders, people using adaptive devices, and people moving goods from close passing.

    The study also suggests that providing smooth surfaces for devices with small wheels and using obvious signs and markings are helpful to clarify that newly popular device types – like e-bikes and e-scooters – are welcome.

    “When bikeways are designed for all ages, abilities, and micromobility options, people on bikes and scooters will prefer to ride in the well-designed bikeways instead of competing for space on a sidewalk,” the paper states.

    The study provides suggestions that would make bike lanes more inclusive of all potential riders and suggests that this, in turn, will allow cities to reduce congestion and improve air quality while increasing access to jobs, services, and opportunities.

  4. Take part in the micromobility and LEV survey by Voylt and UScale

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    Short online survey to collect data on Light Electric Vehicles with results expected in May

    voylt is a European portal for sustainable e-mobility that offers interested parties a wide range of information and intuitive buying advice. Together with market research partner UScale, and with the support of the Federal Association of eMobility e.V. and electric empire (Federal Association of Small Electric Vehicles e.V.), vyolt is conducting a representative survey on the subject of micromobility / LEVs. More specifically, it concerns the large number of low-speed, light electric vehicles (LEV) that are used in urban areas for short distances in private ownership or as sharing offers. The hosts shared, “We want to clear up the myths, fake news and prejudices. What’s really going on out there on the street? In fact, many people only discuss based on assumptions – we want to change that!”

    The survey should take 7-10 minutes and you may complete it by following the link below:

    Click to take the survey

    The results will be published at the end of May at the polisMOBILITY Trade Fair in Cologne. You may also find a summary online at https://uscale.digital/news/ from the end of May.

  5. CAKE Subscribe: an all-inclusive subscription model that caters to professional business needs

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    Launching in Sweden and France, LEVA-EU member, CAKE, has introduced its easy-entry micromobility fleet service.

    CAKE, the Swedish maker of premium lightweight, electric motorcycles is pleased to announce CAKE Subscribe: an all-inclusive subscription model that caters to professional business needs. The new program aims to ease the burden of upfront costs associated with buying a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles, by requiring no down payment. Service and technical support are also included.

    “I believe our electric motorcycles, mopeds, and electric bicycles are great transportation solutions with a wide range of applications,” said CAKE founder and CEO Stefan Ytterborn. “Whether for a private courier who needs a single bike or a larger business that needs a fleet of vehicles, I think CAKE has the right products for operating in urban environments. By removing down payments and taking care of service we are further reducing TCO for businesses that want to use CAKE motorcycles for their work” continued Ytterborn.

    The subscription model comes with no long-term commitments, and because every business need is different, all subscription models will be customized to the unique needs of each client. Whether a business needs a single bike, a massive fleet, or something in between, CAKE Subscribe can provide a risk-free way for businesses to get rolling with CAKE.

    CAKE subscribe is available in Sweden and France with more countries to come.

  6. Incident data for shared e-scooters published by MMfE

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    Source: Eltis, J. Tewson

    Micro-mobility for Europe (MMfE), the EU association for shared micromobility providers, has released a first-of-its-kind factsheet on incident data.

    The factsheet (accessible here) combines incident data from the association’s six founding members: Bird, Bolt, Dott, Lime, Tier, and Voi. The association shared, “Our goal is to shed light on the debate around shared e-scooters safety by providing data in a transparent manner on the volume, severity of incidents, and their implications on the safety of road users. Ultimately, we hope these insights will help inform conversations and road safety policies in the EU that reduce incident risks for vulnerable road users, such as shared micro-mobility riders, and we are committed to continuing working closely with authorities to do so.“

    Key findings, based on 240 million shared e-scooter trips:

    • When comparing 2021 to 2019, the risk of incidents that require medical attention has reduced by 60%.
    • In 2021, 5.1 injuries per million km travelled required medical assistance.
    • Fatality rates on shared e-scooters are thought to be about half those of private e-scooters.
    • Cyclists and shared e-scooter riders have a similar risk of fatal incidents. Shared e-scooter rider fatality risk is 20 times lower than that of moped riders.
    • The fatality risk for shared e-scooter use is 0.015 per 1 million km ridden.

    The factsheet makes a range of recommendations aimed at improving road safety for vulnerable users, including shared e-scooter riders. It is recommended that there is an investment in safe infrastructure; that e-scooter riders are acknowledged as vulnerable road users; that there is further enforcement of traffic rules by local authorities; and that incident reporting standards are harmonised across Europe.

    View the MMfE factsheet in its entirety, here.

  7. LEVA-EU member Dott secures contract to operate e-scooter service in Madrid

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    Source: Micromobilitybiz, A. Ballinger

    The micromobility fleet provider joins Tier and Lime in deploying a sizeable joint fleet of 6,000 vehicles throughout the city.

    Announced in late 2022, Madrid City Council launched its first tender for shared e-scooters in the city. It is now confirmed that the bid has been won by the providers Dott, Tier and Lime collectively. Initial contracts are for an operating time of 3 years, with the potential for extensions in increments of 6 months following the initial period.

    Dott already maintains a fleet of e-bikes in Madrid, which have been operating since March 2021, and provides micromobility services to many key European cities including London, Rome, Stockholm, Brussels and Paris. In Madrid, the brand will be introducing completely new e-scooters, featuring large (12”) wheels for stability, front, rear and indicator lights, and a phone holder.

    Maxim Romain, co-founder and COO of Dott, said: “The launch in Madrid marks a turning point for our service in Spain, and a major increase in the number of vehicles we operate there as we bring efficient, safe and environmentally friendly transport to the capital city. We will bring our experience of collaborating closely with city authorities across Europe to ensure that we offer a reliable service for our riders whilst respecting all other road users and pedestrians.” 

  8. Research: The role of micromobility in reaching the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

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    Source: Science Direct, A.G. Olabi

    A new study assesses micromobility progress, benefits, challenges, policy, and more in relation to the UN’s SDGs.

    Cities across the world are increasing their focus on creating connected, sustainable transport systems. A key framework for development in the 21st century is the United Nations’ SDGs, which aim to secure sustainable cities and communities, amongst other goals. New research from A.G. Olabi et al., published in the International Journal of Thermofluids, explores the roles of micromobility in reaching these ambitious goals.

    Research Abstract: “Micromobility is dominant in urban areas, enhancing transportation sustainability and assisting in fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This review provides an overall assessment of micromobility: its role under SDGs, policy options, standards for data, micromobility regulations, emerging technologies, utilisation determinants, energy source, and energy storage for micromobility applications. The analysis shows that micromobility could play a major role in achieving the SDGs, specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing projected traffic accidents. Also, the effect on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by reducing the transportation footprint, on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by increasing transposition accessibility, reducing traffic congestion and improving the air quality, and equally on SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by reducing transportation footprint and increase the sources efficiency. Moreover, the analysis shows a clear gap in literature and publications on micromobility, especially in the area of energy management and energy storage. Furthermore, this review shows that new technology of renewable energy and energy storage, such as fuel cells, could play a significant role in achieving the sustainability of micromobility, therefore, achieving the SDGs.”

    Access the research in its entirety, here.

  9. Paris set to vote on the future of e-scooters

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    Source: Forbes, C. O’Brien

    After 4 years of electric scooter-sharing services in France’s capital city, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has confirmed a vote to determine if the micromobility option will be banned in the city.

    The referendum in April has been announced following a lengthy review by city officials, with the mayor herself in favour of the ban. What are the key issues facing the use of e-scooters in Paris?

    • National laws are vague in terms of regulation.
    • Residents feel that riders are reckless.
    • Excessive riding on sidewalks and in pedestrianised areas.
    • Poor parking and the free-floating nature of the service have created an eyesore.
    • Antisocial use of the devices, particularly by tourists.

    It should be noted that steps have been taken to address some of these concerns, such as limiting speeds and releasing a clear code of conduct, but the e-scooters remain extremely divisive.

    With 12 active bike and e-scooter sharing services in the city, Paris is one of the largest markets for micromobility services. The results of this referendum will therefore be watched closely by industry and consumers alike; the conclusion may well inform future decisions in comparable locations.

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