Micromobility Growing in Smaller Cities
“In recent months, shared micromobility companies like Bird, Lime and Lyft have rapidly expanded their products in small and midsized markets with populations ranging from 2,500 to over 150,000,” reports Austyn Gaffney in Smart Cities Dive. Despite the backlash to micromobility from some community groups concerned about safety and parking, industry stalwart Bird “grew from about 250 global markets last year to more than 400 this spring.”
“Cities have been amenable to micromobility options like e-bikes and e-scooters over the last five years as ways to increase residents’ and visitors’ transportation options, ease congestion, and reduce transportation emissions, which represent over a quarter of the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.” Meanwhile, operators continue to implement speed limiters, geofencing, and other features to address cities’ concerns