In Italy, micromobility is gaining ground in shared mobility services with electric bicycles and scooters.
According to the Italian Shared Mobility Association (Assosharing), this is due to “NOwnership” (ownership-free) emerging as a trend in the millennial segment.
It involves using assets without owning them.
Assosharing stated that it is “particularly attractive” to the younger generations because it is “more sustainable and economically beneficial.”
The rise of this model is having a “significant” impact on the mobility industry as it eliminates costs for users.
For example, users of shared micromobility do not have expenses related to vehicle ownership, fuel, maintenance, among other aspects.
“The collaborative economy is gradually replacing the ambition to own properties as a lifestyle,” said Matteo Tanzilli, president of the association, in conversation with Mobility Portal Europe.
“The vehicle is perceived as a service that can be accessed flexibly according to the mobility needs of the moment,” he added.
It’s worth noting that in July, bicycle service usage in Rome grew by 91% year-on-year, while Milan saw an 84% increase.
Regarding scooter usage, Rome also experienced a significant increase, with a 51% rise compared to last year, while Milan saw peaks of 72%.
The shared mobility scheme is a business that has mobilized around 130 million euros in Italy since 2021, experiencing a year-on-year growth of 52%.
Since 2021, there are approximately 45,000 electric scooters and 27,000 bicycles available for sharing.
In other segments, there are 8,700 mopeds and 6,600 cars available.
“The average distance traveled is 2.3 kilometers. In micromobility alone, a total of 17.6 million rentals have been recorded,” Tanzilli noted.
Given that more than half of daily trips are less than five kilometers, the association believes that the use of private cars is a choice driven by user habits rather than necessity.
Regarding the pending tasks of authorities to promote the growth of these technologies in the service, Tanzilli pointed out: “The task is to increase exclusive parking spaces for shared mobility and activate new bike lanes, matching the number and standards of major European capitals.”
“Assosharing will remain open to any form of collaboration with local authorities, sector operators, and stakeholders,” he added.
On the other hand, it’s worth mentioning that shared electric micromobility is gaining ground in tourist cities.
“In the face of endless queues due to the lack of taxis, micromobility is increasingly being seen as the ideal solution to complement public transport with efficient, comfortable, and environmentally friendly means,” explained Tanzilli.
“The data demonstrates the strategic role that shared mobility plays in improving urban mobility,” he added.
Mandatory helmet use for micromobility: A hindrance to adoption in Italy?
According to Assosharing, if Italy continues to enforce mandatory helmet use for electric scooter users, it would be the only country in the European Union to adopt this measure.
“This could have negative consequences,” the association stated.
They even explained that “laws mandating helmet use do not effectively increase safety.”
In this regard, Assosharing proposes focusing on reducing speed limits and strengthening road infrastructure.
The proposal suggests that micromobility vehicles can operate at a maximum speed between 20 and 25 km/h.
Additionally, they suggest simplifying bureaucracy and creating new regulatory tools to promote shared mobility in businesses and academic institutions.
This way, urban transport would be strengthened, and private vehicles reduced.
“Micromobility is proving to be increasingly the ideal solution to complement public transportation with an efficient, comfortable, and environmentally friendly mode of transport,” Tanzilli said.
Read more: Italy should add 1,000 electric buses per year to reach its goal
