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A new player is on city streets—micromobility. Micromobility
is a form of transportation that is smaller and lighter than a car,
covers short distances (usually under 3 miles), is often
electrified, and is used as part of an app-based sharing scheme.
Today, micromobility covers electric scooters (e-scooters),
bicycles and electric bicycles (e-bikes), although in the future it
could include small electrified pods.
In the United States, 84 million micromobility trips were
completed in 2018 - more than double those in 2017 (see Figure). A
big part of the growth came from the use of e-scooters, which has
also quickly spread to cities across Europe. Lime, a major
operator, reported 1 million rides after just 4 months of operation
in Paris - and similar growth in Berlin.
The draw of micromobility is that it offers a relatively
cost-effective, convenient and fun transport option for short,
urban trips. It can provide a solution for the first and last mile
of multimodal journeys, such as to and from a start or end point of
public transportation. According to one study by a micromobility
operator in San Francisco, taking an e-scooter was faster than a
car in 70% of routes analyzed.[1]
Several challenges could constrain the growth - and viability -
of micromobility. E-scooters have generated public backlash, and
the key challenge is safety - both for users as well as
pedestrians. In the United States, pilot projects have been adopted
by many cities - capping the number of operators and micromobility
fleets allowed in the city to ensure a coordinated rollout. In
Europe, regulators have taken steps such as banning use on
sidewalks, capping speeds, and fining for improper parking.
Sustainability challenges - such as recycling of e-scooters and
lowering lifecycle emissions - will also have to be addressed.
Taken on its own, the potential impact of micromobility on cars
and oil is unlikely to be disruptive. A key reason is that
micromobility - in cities where it proves durable - is likely to be
a closer substitute for trips that would otherwise be taken via
foot or via public transportation, given the short distances
covered. However, data from two US cities show that around
one-third of current users would have otherwise travelled by car -
whether privately- owned or ride-hailing services.[2]
Ultimately, the most significant impact to cars from
micromobility could come from regulatory pressure on cars in cities
over time. In such a scenario, micromobility could increasingly be
used in combination with public transportation and
Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) as part of an integrated, decarbonized
urban mobility network - posing a greater challenge to personal car
ownership.
IHS Markit closely monitors the transformation of the global
automotive ecosystem and its impact on the energy and chemicals
industries, publishing data, key insights and market analysis.
Learn more about our
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