A silent revolution is taking place in the center of our cities, but depending on who you ask, it is a fad or the future of urban transport. Here are four things you need to know about scooters.
1. They are part of a micro-mobility revolution
Cheaper than the bus, more convenient than a bike, and less sweaty than walking, the electric scooter has become a useful addition to an ever-expanding range of transportation options, all designed to help cities move their families around. millions of residents in a socially responsible way.
Electric scooters are seen as part of a much larger movement called “micromobility,” promoting utility-based transportation solutions that are powered by batteries and weighing less than 500kg.
2. It’s a big business to import
The landscape of electric scooters is much bigger than you think. The San Francisco startup Lime has a larger fleet than FEDEX and completed 100,000,000 trips in its first two years of activity. In 2018, the Los Angeles electric scooter startup, Bird, received a $ 1 billion valuation faster than Uber, AirBnB or Facebook.
Cities around the world are finding smartphone-based scooter services an affordable and user-friendly solution for their residents in the so-called ‘last mile’ conundrum. Just download the app, point your phone at the scooter’s QR code to unlock it, and run off with rental freedom per minute, often limited to 15 mph.
3. Even automakers are at it
Automakers are seeing their traditional business models evaporate in front of them, and that’s a BIG problem. Now, they too must fight to stay relevant, discovering new ways to sell cars, but also developing other products and services that today’s consumer may want.
4. Popularity may increase
As the world slowly returns to a new kind of normal, electric scooters could still have their moment in the sun. Funding for areas like public transportation may have suffered, but governments are still keen to encourage a shift to clean transportation with policy changes like the introduction of bike lanes. If commuters remain willing to maintain social distancing and avoid public transportation for the foreseeable future, perhaps private bikes and electric scooters could provide an answer to the development of a cleaner and greener transportation economy?