Coming Home Magazine

Micromobility — bicycles, skateboards, skates, and scooters — is making headlines around the world, from positive reviews to heightened concerns over safety and management. However, there is one point of agreement: micromobility is a growing part of how people choose to get around. Because of this, both single family and condominium- focused associations will need to re- evaluate their buildings, parking, streets and sidewalks for a growing range of modes. WHAT IS MICROMOBILITY? In general, micromobility is defined as small transportation modes propelled by humans or electric motors with top speeds lower than 35 miles per hour. Innovators are constantly developing new models for both human travelers and package delivery, which is rising with the growing use of e-commerce. In urban areas and on campuses, shared-use micromobility systems such as Lime and Bird are popular. In fact, the ridesharing companies Lyft and Uber have expanded to bike and scooter sharing services. Users download an app to locate and unlock a nearby bicycle, scooter or moped. Users can pay for each trip, or subscribe to monthly packages that allow a certain number of trips that are up to 30 minutes in duration. In the original format, bicycles were checked out and returned to parking stations, or docks. In the dockless, or free-floating model, users can pick up or drop off bikes and scooters anywhere in a designated area. The dockless model has been controversial given the number of bikes and scooters improperly parked on sidewalks and private property. Cities hosting shared-use micromobility programs are increasing requirements such as designated parking and timely response to complaints. Some cities are creating hybrid dock and dockless systems to meet rider expectations for readily available bicycles and scooters. MARKET FOR MICROMOBILITY Micromobility's popularity is growing, in part, for a low cost, accessible and fun alternative to driving for local trips. The shared-use model is popular given the initial high prices for electric bikes, mopeds and scooters. Nonetheless, both owned and shared-use models are gaining market share quickly. LESSON: MICROMOBILITY WILL IMPACT YOUR COMMUNITY IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. Micromobility is popular because it provides new options to carry out short trips for shopping, commutes and access to transit stations. In the United States over one-third of all trips are two miles or less. Close to twenty-five percent of all trips are between 5-10 miles. Portland, Oregon recently assessed how, and why, riders chose scooters. According to responses, the scooters are taking car trips off the road. Thirty-four percent of respondents said their last e-scooter trip replaced what would have been a taxi, Uber or Lyft ride. Close to half of tourists interviewed noted their last e-scooter trip replaced a car ride. For associations, access to bicycling is a top buying preference, in particular for the next generation of buyers. Younger buyers are more attuned to transportation options beyond an automobile, seeking selections that could involve transit, active transportation and now, micromobility. In the future, micromobility will be a part of Mobility-as-a-Service, or MaaS. Initiated in Finland, MaaS serves as a single application to coordinate all aspects of travel. In cities, this means scheduling and paying for rideshare, bikeshare and transit with the touch of one button. In suburban areas, commuters can combine electric bikeshare, commuter rail and "guaranteed ride home" without switching programs. "Guaranteed ride home" is the availability of a ride in case a carpooler or transit rider needs to tend to an emergency. CONSIDERATIONS The popularity, appeal, and issues in your region will vary. Here are several considerations for assessing how to handle micromobility for your community: Experts from Alta Planning + Design share the highs, lows, skepticism and controversy surrounding micromobility and give you a detailed how-to guide to seamlessly incorporate these small wonders into your community. Lisa Nisenson, New Mobility Technical Advisor | Alta Planning + Design FOR ASSOCIATIONS, ACCESS TO BICYCLING IS A TOP BUYING PREFERENCE, IN PARTICULAR FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF BUYERS. M I S S I O N : M I C R O 10

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