What are the benefits of Micro-Mobility?
Micromobility offers a transformative solution to address the dual challenges of environmental pollution and urban quality of life.
Transport is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, responsible for nearly 25% of total emissions, with urban traffic contributing significantly to air and noise pollution. Congestion costs the EU economy an estimated €100 billion annually, while exposure to polluted air is linked to over 400,000 premature deaths per year. By replacing short car trips (nearly 50% of urban journeys in Europe are under 5 km) with micromobility options like bicycles, e-scooters, and other low-emission modes, cities can significantly reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and reclaim public space. Furthermore, embracing micromobility fosters healthier lifestyles, reduces commute times, and enhances urban livability.
Micromobility is cool, fast and green! The main benefits of these modes of transport are both personal and environmental:
Fast and convenient: Micromobility is convenient. Because of their small size, micromobility modes of transport make it easy to pass through busy city streets, and there is no need to worry about finding a parking space; a bicycle or kick scooter can easily be stored inside a building or in a dedicated parking area.
Improving accessibility for all: Micromobility can improve accessibility for all, including people using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and parents with pushchairs. More attention and investment in human focused modes of transport creates the opportunity to improve our infrastructure, including wider footpaths, ramps for easy access and a connected network.
Healthier lifestyles: Micromobility is healthy, because it promotes physical activity and social interactions. When city streets are safe and comfortable to walk, cycle or scoot, people are more likely to meet the daily recommended 30 minutes of physical activity, and there is more chance for social interaction with other people, which has been proven to improve mental health and create a positive urban environment.
Clean modes of transport: Micromobility is eco-friendly. It reduces noise and air pollution, and has a much smaller carbon footprint than private cars. Micromobility is a form of climate action, being part of the solution, instead of the pollution.
Multimodal connectivity: Micromobility devices are suitable for short urban trips and are crucial to provide connections with public transport, to connect from home to the nearest bus or train station, or ferry landing site, and to complete your trip to reach your final destination. To enable such micromobility connections, there is a need for safe and comfortable pavements for walking, safe and shaded places to wait for public transport, safe and connected paths for the use of bicycles, scooters and other wheeled micromobility.
Reduced traffic and improved use of public space: Micromobility reduces traffic congestion. It is an alternative to the private car for short trips. Most trips in urban areas are less than 5 kilometres, which takes less than 20 minutes by bicycle. Micromobility modes also require much less space than private cars, both for moving on the road and for parking spaces. Public spaces without cars improve the quality of life, offering benefits such as improved air quality and opportunities for economic, social, cultural and environmental development.
Offering affordable transport options: Micromobility is cost effective. These modes of transport are generally more affordable than owning and maintaining a car, making them accessible to a wider range of people.
To maximize these benefits, it is essential to address barriers such as road safety and the lack of dedicated infrastructure, ensuring that micromobility becomes a viable, safe, and attractive alternative to car dependency.
