The impact of micro-mobility devices on urban regulation
This article is also available here in Spanish.

The impact of micro-mobility devices on urban regulation

My list

Author | Lucía Burbano

After a massive and, to a certain extent, chaotic and controversial deployment, cities are starting to regulate micro-mobility devices to generate a space in which pedestrians and other means of public and private transport can coexist. Paris and Los Angeles took the first step. The French capital is considering a referendum to determine the future of micro-mobility.

What are micro-mobility devices?

The need and obligation to decarbonize our cities is leading to the creation of zero emission transport models. This, together with the speed at which the small micro-mobility devices allow us to get around cities, explain their popularity.

Although there are numerous types, micro-mobility devices share a series of characteristics:

● They are light: they do not exceed 500 kg in weight.

● They are ‘clean’: apart from having 0% emissions, they do not emit noise.

● Speed suitable for cities: they move between 25 km/h and 45 km/h.

● Easy storage: their size and weight mean they can be parked practically anywhere.

● They use a motor, in this case an electric engine.

Scooters and powered bicycles and motorcycles under 50 cc are the most common examples of micro-mobility. Skateboards, pedelecs or golf carts also fall within this category. They must not be confused with minimobility vehicles.

The impact of micro-mobility in cities

micro-mobility devices 2

One thing is clear, micro-mobility devices, they get everyone talking: you either love them or hate them. The reason is possibly the lack of regulations governing their use in urban environments.

The positive and negative aspects of micro-mobility include the following:

It will speed up the progress towards transport electrification

Despite still having to overcome a series of challenges, it would seem that the electric vehicle will take center stage in cities as it is a zero-emissions energy. In this regard, micro-mobility is an ally for speeding up the implementation of charging points, for example.

It diversifies transport options

A city needs mixed transport options adapted to the various requirements of its residents. The coexistence of cars, buses, scooters and pedestrians is not impossible, but it does not appear to be easy to regulate.

The occupy pedestrian space

Scooters tend to use spaces intended for pedestrians, both to use the devices and to park them, generating conflicts between users.

The micro-mobility problem in Paris

Paris has proposed a referendum for its residents to ban rental e-scooters. "My idea is to put an end to the presence of these vehicles on our streets" Anne Hidalgo told Le Parisien. The Mayor’s argument is that these devices create divisions among residents.

Her statements refer to a context of antisocial behavior. The city is still receiving complaints about users, normally tourists, who use the scooters on sidewalks, they abandon them in parks and even throw them into the Seine River.

The French capital previously restricted the number of licenses given to operators to three, but now they want to go a step further.

Los Angeles: a regulation that creates divisions

The transportation committee of the Los Angeles City Council approved a new and strict regulation governing the distribution and use of micro-mobility, which includes measures that the suppliers of these devices do not agree with. For example, a fee per ride, established at zero in low-income areas and 40 cents per ride in more popular destinations.

Photographs | Unsplash/ Vlad B, Unsplash/Michel Grolet

Related Content

Recommended profiles for you

RS
Raina Saran
AVAIRX
Emerging & Non conventional smart city systems Consultant
MM
MASSIANI myriam
FREE LANCE CONSEIL
manager
AM
Alexey Medvedsky
Exelentex Inc.
Chief Sales & Business Development Officer
CT
Chetan Timbadia
DC Infotech and Communication Limited
Director
HK
Hüseyin Korkmaz
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
PP
Paulina Piuzzi
Colaborativa
DG
Dafne Gomez
utp
AG
Andreas Greif
Greif engineering
Owner
MT
Masoud Tahmaseb
Iran
Mahya ITS
CV
Carmen Valdez
GIZ
MM
Marc Martínez Rosa
INCASOL
Urban Ecology & Mobility
CM
Carlos Marino martin
Ferrocarrils generalita Catalunya
Intermobilitat i accessibilitat en una companyia de transport públic
BK
Ben Kelman
Deloitte
Senior Consultant
JT
Jordi Tordera
Ajuntament de Vic
Servei ciutat intel·ligent
SF
SALAKO Farid
City of Sèmè-Podji
AT
Abraham Tapia Tapia
Etupsa 73
Accionista
RM
Rintaro Miyamoto
The University of Tokyo
Master of Urban Engineering
IV
Ivan Vaquero
appOrigen
Web developer manager
PS
Pascal Schwerk
Fujitsu Technology Solutions GmbH
Strategic IT-Consulting Smart City
ET
ELENA Turalló Huguet
grupo copisa