By 2027, researchers predict that the micromobility market will reach at least $200 billion USD.
This astronomical growth is driven by several factors, but especially by city residents looking for safe, sustainable and convenient alternatives to public transportation and the burdens of car ownership.
For companies looking to secure a place in the micromobility future, it’s essential to understand what micromobility is and some of the customer pain points driving the phenomenal growth and popularity of micromobility vehicles.
What Is Micromobility?
Micromobility is a relatively new concept and typically refers to small, lightweight (under 500kg), and often electric-powered vehicles used for short trips, such as electric bicycles, scooters, skateboards, unicycles and hoverboards.
In addition, micromobility vehicles are defined, first and foremost, by their ability to move their occupant from one point to another in the least impactful way—think maximum mobility, and minimalist design.
Micromobility vehicles are often shared-use vehicles rented through a smartphone app or a docking station. In the wide world of micromobility vehicles, e-bikes are a trendy choice.
Analyses of recent e-bike trends demonstrate how micromobility providers appeal to everyday commuters with customizable interfaces, route planning tools and other advanced technology and safety features to revolutionize personal mobility.
Micromobility uptake worldwide will invariably differ according to the location, city and exposure.
For example, commuters in cities that traditionally rely on public transportation or cars for their daily commute are more unlikely to use an e-scooter or e-bike due to their unfamiliarity with e-mopeds, bikes or scooters.
Similarly, city regulations may pose a considerable challenge for micromobility providers looking to install riding, parking or charging infrastructure.
Structural challenges aside, let’s dive into your consumers’ pain points to help your business secure a spot in the micromobility future.
The Future Of Micromobility
Micromobility providers should compel consumers to choose their brand by integrating design and safety features that meet their essential demands.
In the long run, this will help establish trust, brand loyalty and make the choice of micromobility vehicles an easy option for everyday commute. So, what are their biggest concerns?
Value For Money
Micromobility services and solutions need to be a viable, low-cost and sustainable alternative to cars and public transit.
E-scooters and e-bikes are more economical than car ownership, and commuters who rent vehicles from a micromobility service won’t be subject to lease payments, volatile gas prices, or high insurance premiums.
Providers should consider how to create subscription options that make long-term passes convenient for users, and accessible for low-income riders.
Convenience
Micromobility solutions such as e-bikes, scooters and mopeds should be a breeze to use and access.
Micromobility vehicles that are easily accessible and customizable to a customer’s routine or commute will mean a higher chance of adoption in new markets.
Features like advanced reservations, swappable batteries, smart safety features and built-in phone holders are designed with the user’s on-the-road anxieties and security in mind.
In addition, picking up or dropping off micromobility vehicles on a street corner or a biking dock should be a simple and quick process.
Safety
Riding an e-bike or scooter can be dangerous for unfamiliar riders. In congested sidewalks and streets, inexperienced riders who don’t know how to navigate a city’s winding streets can get seriously hurt.
Innovators who integrate safety features in their vehicles, such as GPS and geofenсing, to track scooter locations and proactive accident detection are appealing to a new wave of customers seeking security and convenience on their commute.
Sustainability
Electric micromobility solutions have zero emissions—making them more sustainable, efficient and eco-friendly than traditional cars and public transportation.
More importantly, it’s helping densely populated cities reduce their carbon footprint with ESG-conscious alternatives.
Automotive consulting services that have an in-depth understanding of changing customer challenges and needs are better equipped to take on the technological and regulatory headaches of micromobility solutions.
As a micromobility provider, realizing your micromobility future means more than identifying the demographic or target city regulations for your micromobility solution.
It’s also about understanding your user, mapping intuitive, safe user journeys and delivering exceptional rider experiences.
As cities worldwide continue to adopt micromobility vehicles, Star technology services can help you develop sustainable, scalable, user-centric and cost-effective solutions that will deliver great value for your riders and even greater returns for your business.
