Tag Archive: Shared e-scooters

  1. Lime steps up Milan operations for Winter Olympics

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    Sources: Zag Daily, Smart Cities World

    Shared mobility provider and LEVA-EU member Lime is drawing on its experience of operating in worldwide cities during large-scale events, as the Winter Olympics come to Milan. Its aim is to enable smooth travel across the city for both residents and visitors, while helping reduce congestion around venues and transport hubs.

    Milan is home to a variety of Lime shared vehicles, with the latest generation of LimeBike added in May 2025, alongside e-scooters, fourth-generation e-bikes and e-bikes with child seats. Lime has not confirmed whether the fleet size will be increased during the Winter Olympics, but has outlined a number of measures being taken to ensure smooth operations and availability of vehicles during the event:

    • Increasing the number of bike mechanics in its Milan warehouse by 30%, enabling swift repairs and vehicle turnaround.
    • Doubling the number of in-field operators who manage on-street maintenance, minor repairs in parking areas, user safety checks, and active fleet management and redistribution.

    In preparation for the event in Milan, Lime has used its experience during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where 3.4 million trips on 15,000 of its bikes were taken. Speaking to Zag Daily, Matteo Cioffi, Lime’s Regional General Manager for EU Central, said, “our approach builds on lessons from previous large scale events with operational readiness, fleet availability and street support adjusted to local conditions and travel patterns rather than headline fleet numbers. In Paris, we observed clear patterns showing that shared micromobility complements public transport during major events, particularly for short trips around venues and between transport hubs and final destinations”

  2. Shared e-scooter rides in the Republic of Korea reach 98 million

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    Source: Chosun Biz

    The Korea PM Industry Association has recently reported that domestic personal mobility (PM) sharing service rides reached approximately 98 million in 2025. It also noted the cumulative number of subscribers to the four major PM sharing services in Korea, totalling 14.6 million, with young riders accounting for 70%.

    In reporting these statistics, the association indicated that shared PMs are widely used nationwide and not limited to specific classes or regions.

    Patterns of use

    Shared PMs are primarily utilised during late-night hours, in transfer gaps, and in areas with limited public transportation access. The association highlighted a growing trend of using shared PMs for short-distance trips, reflecting their increasing role as a convenient alternative for urban mobility.

    Youth are main users

    Young people comprise a significant portion of shared PM users. About 70% of all subscribers are youth, and usage is mainly for commuting to school or work and for short-distance travel. The association stated that in areas where private car use is difficult or access to public transit is limited, shared PMs are emerging as an alternative mode of travel.

    Geographic expansion

    Use of shared PMs is expanding beyond major cities. In some regions, shared PMs have become a part of daily life, used not only for first- and last-mile trips but also for everyday travel over short distances.

    Safety indicators

    Regarding safety, the association reported that as of 2024, the fatality rate for PM accidents was 0.78%, lower than 1.65% for motorized bicycles, 1.39% for two-wheeled vehicles, and 1.27% for conventional bicycles.

    Vice Chairman Park Pan-yeol of the Korea PM Industry Association said, “As shared PMs play a certain role in people’s everyday travel, cooperation with the central and local governments is needed to improve safety management and the operating environment.”

  3. Shared e-scooters and bikes fill gaps in public transport routes

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    Source: LEVERAGE

    These light electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular for short urban trips, particularly on routes not served by tram or bus lines. Initial research from the Leverage project, a Dutch collaborative initiative involving knowledge institutions, businesses, and government agencies, highlights how these light electric vehicles (LEVs) are being used to complement public transport.

    “The total market share of shared mobility isn’t large, but it is popular on certain intersections in the city. Young people, in particular, use it to get to their destinations quickly,” explains Paul van de Coevering, lecturer in urban mobility planning at Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUAS) and project leader at Leverage.

    Leverage is a four-year program designed to translate insights on LEV usage into actionable municipal policies. One of its key findings is that shared mobility can significantly enhance urban transport systems by providing last-mile solutions and serving areas where public transportation coverage is less efficient.

    Van de Coevering notes that better coordination of shared mobility and public transport can offer municipalities many benefits, “For example, if you want fewer cars in the city. And consider bicycle parking facilities at train stations. If people use shared bikes or scooters instead of their own, the parking facilities can be smaller in places where space is often scarce and expensive.”

    The research also examines the impact of LEVs on car ownership and usage, reporting that although electric bicycles have become widely adopted, the overall market share of LEVs remains relatively limited. Nevertheless, its findings have implied that purchasing an electric bicycle or scooter does lead to a reduction in car use for many riders. About half of LEV users report riding their electric bike or scooter more frequently than their car after acquisition, although only one in ten completely replaces car ownership.

    Beyond usage statistics, Leverage has explored how LEVs affect urban mobility experiences. Van de Coevering and his team conducted field studies in Breda using sensors, GPS, and smart glasses to monitor riding behavior, stress levels, and route choices as cyclists navigated around fat bikes, e-scooters, and cargo bikes. Leverage’s research has indicated that LEVs do not produce measurable stress for other road users, although certain vehicles, such as heavy electric fat bikes, have sparked public debate regarding safety regulations. A follow-up study is planned in Eindhoven, where researchers will evaluate cyclist behavior under heavier traffic conditions.

    All research results will be shared with consortium participants and, where possible, made available to municipalities, public transport providers, consultancy firms, and knowledge institutions. These findings are intended to inform policymaking and guide practical measures to support the mobility transition.

    Leverage is also holding an Experience Day on October 28, with a morning session for private consortium discussions, followed by an afternoon opportunity to test LEVs and hear insights from speakers. The day concludes with a networking session to discuss mobility solutions. Register to attend here.