Articles

How Micromobility Vehicles are Redesigning Global Transportation Systems

Scherling, Laura S.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to disrupt business-as-usual, a micromobility revolution is quietly moving forward. The design and range of lightweight human-powered and electric vehicles has evolved and adoption quickly expanded, filling the streets with scooters, mopeds, skateboards, and bicycles in every shape, size, and color imaginable. Sales of bicycles are booming, increasing by 62% in 2020 . Trips taken by shared e-scooters increased by 126% in 2019 over 2018. As global interest in “non-car mobility” surges, there are several factors to consider. Micromobility signifies a potential total redesign of transportation as we know it, paving the way to create a more sustainable urban transport system, reducing “tons of CO2 emissions”. Human-powered and electric vehicles can support easier commutes, provide recreation, and provide the political will to support the “development of biking lanes'' and safer streets, and ultimately save riders time. In this essay, a number of challenges and design-focused cases are considered, drawing on insights from global shared e-scooter company Bird, to leading providers of private vehicles like Unagi Scooters and Rad Power Bikes.

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Design Observer

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Academic Units
School of Professional Studies
Published Here
October 31, 2022