[NEWS] Micro-mobility: the next big thing? (part 1)

European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc and DG MOVE organized an international event about micro mobility in Ljubljana, on Monday, October 14th 2019. Representatives from 30 countries attended, including from Russia and India. Participants discussed the current situation and how to plan mobility for the future.

Micro-mobility as a mode of transport includes small vehicles like bicycles, electric bicycles, preferably electric motorcycles, scooters and electric scooters, skateboards including electric ones, electric drones for people transportation and other similar vehicles. Thematic addresses a need of the people to have an opportunity of relatively quick, flexible, sometimes, in comparison to other modes of transport, healthier option of vehicles to safely move in a specific and dedicated space. It is closely connected to spatial and logistic planning, infrastructure and business models like vehicle rentals and vehicle sharing systems, optionally combined with public transport and walking.

Micro mobility is considered to support measures addressing reduction of air pollution from fossil fuel vehicles, reduction of traffic congestions and in time, at least partially, replace the use of private cars. In consequence this means reduction of parking spaces in urban areas and elsewhere, reduction of the number of privately-owned cars by households, new business opportunities in densely populated settlements, regions or countries. In short it is a part of multi-modal means of transportation and a part of an idea of Mobility as a Service.

Several questions are arising related to the thematic: What kind of measures do we need to take, to implement it as soon as possible? How can we speed up EU type approval legislation? How can we make micro-mobility safe? What would be the appropriate age of the users, speed limits in urban areas etc.? Is micro-mobility applicable as a business model also in the sparsely populated areas and under which conditions to implement it, if not? Since they are countries like Japan, or cities like Paris, which banned it for the safety reasons, what do we need to consider to make it safe for all the road users? How to promote it? Do we need European funds to support implementation? What kind of funding schemes do we need? How and where can we implement new technologies and digitalization? What are the issues of data ownership and data sharing? Are there issues regarding user privacy?

For more information about the content of the event “Micro-mobility: the next big thing?” open the link: https://www.avp-rs.si/en/micro-mobility-the-next-big-thing/