Micromobility
"Small Mobility" With Great Potential
To date, there is no internationally accepted definition of "micromobility." In some attempts to describe it, it includes a range of small, lightweight vehicles that operate at speeds typically less than 25 kilometers per hour and are driven by users themselves. Micromobility modes of transportation include bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, shared bicycles, and those with electric pedal assist. In addition, however, there are numerous other criteria and issues.
Big questions about micromobility
Should micromobility be defined by maximum speed or maximum weight? Or by the number of passengers and the dimensions of the vehicles? Should it be defined by how it is used? Or by where the vehicles are used and by whom? What are the licensing requirements? What insurance coverage is required? Is "micromobility" always about sharing vehicles? Is usage "monetized" in some way? What about electrification and connectivity? Are low CO2 emissions throughout the lifecycle critical? Does a certain level of energy efficiency need to be in place?
Focus on electrification and connectivity
In this area of tension, numerous challenging questions arise, which the PEM chair is investigating with a focus on electrified networked micromobility and the infrastructure innovations required for this. Interface topics to other urban mobility and logistics solutions are also of great interest.