Report: With increasing popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters, there’s a need for ‘safe and connected infrastructure’

Electric scooters and e-bikes are rising in popularity. As transportation options diversify, local policymakers are beginning to integrate micromobility means as integral fixtures in transportation networks and climate action plans, given their health and climate benefits. But along with solutions, they’re also bringing with them a slew of hurdles. A report out of Oregon highlights some of these challenges, and explores solutions.

“E-micromobility can offer numerous benefits to individuals and communities,” reads the report, “Electric Micromobility in Oregon,” citing healthy movement, emissions reduction, reducing the need for vehicles, and a general diversification of transportation options.

From $800 million in 2021, economists project the e-bike market will expand to $1.6 billion by 2027, according to the report. “On 2021 unit sales alone, e-bikes outsold electric cars,” the report says, noting. “These trends suggest a large market for e-bikes as they shift from a novelty or recreational vehicle to a viable and reliable mode for regular travel.” A different study from the National Association of City Transportation Officials reported that Americans have taken a half-billion micromobility trips since 2010.

But as sales and usage increase, the report highlights a need for safe and connected infrastructure. There’s also a barrier of high costs that prevents some from investing, especially those who could benefit most from cheap transit options. Further, current “Inconsistency between programs, policies and funding can create confusion and uncertainty in consumers,” the report continues. To overcome infrastructure challenges, state and local administrators are encouraged to revisit municipal standards that allocate right of way (considering various perspectives of road users, including those on e-bikes or e-scooters), and promote the installation of charging stations at transportation and delivery hubs.

To lower costs, rebate programs can incentivize investment by those who might not otherwise be able to afford an e-bike or an e-scooter, the report says. In all of this, micromobility presents cities and counties with an opportunity to even the transit playing field.

“But the barriers to expanding use of this technology are generally even greater for these community members. To ensure equitable access to e-micromobility, agency and operator interventions must be intentional and targeted,” the report says.

Outside of Oregon, cities across the United States are considering these and other questions as they navigate barriers via pilot programs. In Arvada, Colo., for example, the city council there has extended a year-long shared micromobility initiative by another year to “continue studying the functionality of the program, including impacts on improving traffic congestion and transportation connectivity.” The extension follows a public feedback session in November.

Other cities, like Phoenix, Ariz., are making pilot programs permanent after successful studies.

“Various vendors have operated e-scooters in downtown Phoenix since September 2019 as part of a city-managed pilot program,” a statement about the initiative says. “The permanent program began [Jan. 20], and starts ahead of an influx of visitors who will enjoy festivities scheduled to be held in downtown in February in conjunction with Super Bowl LVII.”

And in Washington, D.C., the city recently launched a public dashboard by Ride Report Friday that documents how e-bikes and e-scooters are being used in the city. As of Tuesday, 3,755 vehicles had logged more than 11.7 million trips covering 15.3 million miles. Notably, the district recently added Veo to its list of permitted shared micromobility brands, joining Lime, Lyft, and Spin.

“We are thrilled to see how popular this program is in the district and the great impact dockless scooters and bikes are having,” said Everett Lott, director of the District Department of Transportation. Veo is the first new brand to receive approval since 2019.