Navigating Urban Spaces: The Enablers and Barriers of Micromobility

This policy paper examines micromobility's transformative role within urban transportation, highlighting its potential to enhance sustainability, accessibility, and livability. Micromobility, defined by lightweight vehicles such as e-bikes and scooters, presents viable solutions for reducing urban congestion, emissions, and improving public health. Despite these advantages, significant barriers hinder widespread adoption, including regulatory ambiguities, insufficient infrastructure, safety concerns, and public skepticism. Additionally, the paper explores "Micromobility as a Service" (MaaS) as an emerging model promoting shared, accessible, and integrated urban mobility options. Synthesizing insights from the European Green Deal, SAE J3194™ standards, and the LIFE2M (2022) project, this analysis identifies key enablers for micromobility’s expansion: technological innovations like hybrid supercapacitor technology, shifting consumer preferences towards shared mobility, and proactive urban planning strategies. The paper further outlines persistent challenges facing micromobility and MaaS implementation, recommending policy interventions to address these barriers. These recommendations include harmonizing regulations, targeted infrastructure investment, and strategies aimed at improving safety and public perception. Ultimately, the paper advocates for collaborative policy frameworks among stakeholders to leverage micromobility and MaaS as cornerstones of sustainable urban development.