Exploring Shared Micro mobility as an Alternative Transportation Option: Opportunities and Challenges in U.S. Mid-sized Cities and Small Towns

With over half a billion trips taken in the United States (U.S.) since 2010, shared micro-mobility has quickly developed as an alternative to private automobiles, providing safer, cheaper, and more accessible ways for people to get around. This advancement has increased transportation options, especially for low-income populations. In tandem with the surge in shared micromobility, there is an exponential increase in privately owned micromobility devices, particularly in electric-assist bicycles(e-bikes) and scooters. Several cities and towns across the U.S. are exploring shared micro-mobility as an alternative transportation option for trips that are too far to walk but too short to drive. Because micromobility is still a relatively new and emerging mobility option, most transportation agencies lack data-driven tools to measure the costs and benefits of shared micromobility systems. Agencies also lack guidance on integrating shared micromobility in the planning and designing of their transportation systems. Besides, micromobility is generally discussed with examples from major cities, with little to no discussion on the efficacy in midsized cities and small towns in rural areas. That is partly because micromobility modes thrive on high economies of density that rural areas lack.This research aims to study the usage patterns of shared micro-mobility in mid-sized and small cities.Specifically, we aim to answer the following questions: Who is using shared micromobility, and forwhat kinds of trips? what factors affect shared micromobility device ridership? Is the shared micromobility system equitably serving mid-sized cities and small towns? What factors affect the safety of micromobility device users?The project will enhance the understanding of shared micro-mobility patterns in rural transportation contexts, promoting overall mobility improvements with a focus on safety and equity. It will emphasize protecting rural communities, especially vulnerable populations, from safety risks (safepublic), employing data-driven decision-making and comprehensive approaches for safety (safesystem), and expanding affordable access to transportation opportunities (expanding access).The findings from this study will be generalized to create new insights about implementingmicromobility in mid-size cities and small towns, which have lagged larger cities in offering flexibletransportation alternatives to private vehicles.