Background Micromobilities encompass active modes of travel such as walking and cycling alongside the use of lightweight vehicles that typically travel at speeds below 25km/hr such as electric scooters, cargo bikes and electric pedal assisted bicycles. Micromobility vehicles are increasing in popularity with the worldwide e-bike industry currently standing at £89.31 million with estimates that it will rise to £440.50 million by 2026. In England, most journeys taken are short, with 2018 data indicating that 25% of trips were under 1 mile, and 68% are under 5 miles. At present the majority of such journeys are completed using private cars. However, such journeys could be completed on foot, bike or scooter. Whilst power assisted micromobility modes constitute active travel to a lesser (e-scooters) or greater (e-bikes) extent, alongside other active modes of travel, they can help to reduce private car use thereby improving traffic congestion, reducing pollution and creating healthier populations.Leeds has committed to achieving net-zero by 2030. Reducing private car use, through promoting micromobilities can help to reach such goals. But questions remain about how power assisted micromobility vehicles might fit into current transport networks, what role they may play in promoting or increasing transport inequalities and how they are perceived by communities in terms of their sustainability, affordability, safety and accessibility. Leeds has three large universities with thousands of staff and over 200,000 students living in and around the city. Many people within this population commute to Leeds to study or work or commute between campuses in the city during the day. Many of these short trips are made using private cars but could be completed using active modes of travel including micromobility vehicles. The student and staff population is diverse, but accessible via university email and social media networks, and as such provides a good opportunity to explore perceptions relating to e-micromobility in the city. Objective and methods The aim of this study will be to explore perceptions of e-micromobility amongst university staff and students in three institutions across Leeds.To explore this objective, a survey and interviews will be conducted. Questions will be produced following a review of the existing literature relating to perceptions of micromobilities. The questions will then be reviewed by a panel made up of Leeds city council policy makers, transport planners, active travel and micromobility researchers, and a sample of students and staff from Leeds university. The questions will then be used to develop an online survey which will be shared with Leeds university staff and students via email networks and social media. A paper version of the survey will also be available for any staff or students that are unable to access the online version. Following analysis of the survey, up to 10 interviews will be conducted with a diverse sample of staff and students to explore key themes that emerged in the surveys. Potential outcomes and implications The findings of this study will be summarised into a report that can be shared with researchers and decision makers in order to inform future policy relating to e-micromobility. The findings can also be shared with the institutions involved in the data collection in order to help guide their actions relating to active travel and e-micromobility, which could inform and support the cities ambition to achieve net zero by 2030.
Environmental assessment platform for cities racing to net zero
