Author: Mark Urbanowski, WMG’s Principal Engineer for micromobility
Micromobility is a key part of the solution to some of our most pressing urban transport issues. By embracing it the new Labour government has the chance to:
- Accelerate the decarbonisation of transport
- Ease congestion in our city centres
- Address transport poverty and inequality
- Offer more options for, and compliment, active transport like walking, wheeling and cycling
- Build on an already growing industry, creating jobs and economic growth
These goals directly relate to the new government’s announced missions of kickstarting economic growth, taking back our streets, becoming a clean energy nation and reducing barriers to opportunity.
They will support innovative sectors and SMEs, while developing a modern transport network which includes active travel, cuts congestion and prevents anti-social and unsafe use of low-quality vehicles. To achieve this, the government needs to focus on the following areas.
Updating Legislation for Today and the Future
Legislation clearly defining micromobility vehicles and the legality of their use will be vital to the safe, sustainable growth of micromobility. The government should also include a timeline for the legislation of a new Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) category that would start with privately owned e-scooters, and grow to cover delivery vehicles, accessible transport modes, taxis and family vehicles. This legislation should include manufacturing requirements concerning battery safety, vehicle performance and sustainability. The sector would also benefit from simplifying the burdensome, repetitive and costly licensing process for mopeds, scooters, and L-cat vehicles making them safer and more accessible, as championed by the Motor Cycle Industry Association. This would result in more better qualified riders with full licenses, rather than perpetually using L-plates and having to repeat CBT every two years.
Last-Mile Deliveries
Last-mile operations account for up to 53% of logistics cost and 63% of emissions. Backing logistics companies to build micromobility into their last-mile delivery systems will help reduce congestion and emissions from vans. This should include support in purchasing vehicles, creating new urban delivery hubs with access to inner-cities, and operational incentives encouraging the use of the right-size, clean and safe vehicle for the job.
Accessibility and training
The government should strive to make micromobility accessible and safe for all people. This should include a greater focus on active travel infrastructure across our towns and cities, as well as the inclusion of the Bikeability cycle training on the National Curriculum, empowering more young people with the skills and confidence to cycle and scoot their journeys. Additionally, the government should work to crack-down on the use of low-quality vehicles and anti-social behaviour by empowering law enforcement and communicating clear standards for the industry.
Vouchers and incentives
The government should encourage the use of micromobility vehicles for private journeys by offering financial incentives for their purchase, sharing and maintenance, such as a voucher scheme, first introduced for the disabled community. The Bicycle Association have asked for policies that accelerate the uptake of e-bikes to attract people who would otherwise not consider cycling as a transport option, similar policies have resulted in significant boosts to uptake in countries across Europe. Schemes in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria have boosted e-bikes sales so they now outsell unassisted pedal bicycles, with France and Switzerland rapidly gaining share.
Designing a UK industrial strategy
We have seen numerous examples of governments investing in their bicycle manufacturing industries resulting in significant growth. For example, Portugal are now the largest producers of bicycles in Europe after significant investment in 2015, and this year the French government has announced that it is investing €55 million to grow domestic bicycle production. A UK Industrial Strategy with a focus on the opportunity of micromobility, green last mile logistics and active travel, will support the growth of a UK manufacturing sector with a rich heritage of innovation, which includes numerous SMEs and microbusinesses, as well as household names like Brompton. Growing and reshoring manufacturing and innovation, as well as capitalising on emerging opportunities and technologies has the potential to create 1000s of skilled, green jobs in a multi-billion pound industry.
