Shared Micromobility: Policy and Practices in the United States

Shared Micromobility - the shared use of a bicycle, scooter, or other low-speed mode - is an innovative transportation strategy that enables users short-term access to a transportation mode on an as-needed basis. Shared micromobility includes various service models and transportation modes that can meet diverse traveler needs, such as station-based bikesharing (a bicycle picked-up from and returned to any station or kiosk) and dockless bikesharing and scooter sharing (a bicycle or scooter picked up and returned to any location). Shared micromobility has the potential to offer communities an array of benefits, such as increased mobility, greater environmental awareness, and increased use of active transportation and non-vehicular modes. Through planning and public policy, shared micromobility also can enhance accessibility and quality of life in cities. This chapter reviews the ecosystem of shared micromobility services, its impacts on communities, and the most common policies and practices for managing shared micromobility in urban areas.