Almost 70% of the world’s population is expected to live in urban areas by 2050. Finding a way for people to get around those cities while tackling emissions presents a conundrum: Transportation accounts for a third of greenhouse gas emissions in cities and public transport is integral to achieving decarbonization goals. So far, more than 700 metros worldwide have committed to halving their greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to comply with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. But getting people from their homes to buses, light rails or other public transport can be a challenge.
While mass public transit in cities is excellent for carrying commuters across long distances, it doesn’t always begin or end where commuters need it to. Getting to the bus or metro stop from home and to work can be a challenge, potentially discouraging using public transit in the first place. In the U.S., the maximum distance most people will walk to get to public transit is around ¼ mile. Micromobility—shared scooters, bikes, and other forms of shared individual vehicles—is one way to bridge this gap, reducing traffic and congestion, and decreasing carbon emissions at the same time. Around two-thirds of shared mobility riders reported that they used shared micromobility to connect to transit. According to the North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association, in 2022, shared micromobility offset approximately 74 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions by replacing auto trips across North America.