POLIS hosts largest cross-cutting Working Group on urban mobility solutions

On 17 September, POLIS hosted its largest cross-cutting working group meeting in Paris, focusing on the role of powered two-wheelers (PTWs) and light electric vehicles (LEVs) in urban and regional mobility.

These vehicles, ranging from electric bicycles and scooters to mopeds, motorcycles, and microcars, offer practical solutions to urban mobility challenges, bridging the gap between cars and bicycles.

In collaboration with ACEM (the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers), the event brought together cities, regions, citizens' groups, and industry leaders to discuss the potential of PTWs and LEVs. While cars and bicycles dominate the urban mobility narrative, PTWs and LEVs offer a unique balance of size and agility, making them ideal for navigating urban spaces where cars may be too large, and bicycles may not be practical.

Clean Vehicles & Air Quality: The role of PTWs and LEVs in reducing emissions

The session on Clean Vehicles & Air Quality opened with a discussion on how current EU policies prioritise zero-emission passenger cars, vans, and heavy-duty vehicles, often overlooking the potential of PTWs and LEVs. These smaller, more efficient vehicles could play a key role in reducing CO2 emissions, air pollution, and noise, particularly in cities.

Christopher Hodder (FIM), Enrico Mayrhofer (Piaggio), and Pieter Dekker (HAN University of Applied Sciences, LEVERAGE project) led the discussion, focusing on the electrification of PTWs and LEVs, and the challenges related to charging infrastructure from both user and industry perspectives. A key theme was the need for cities to adopt a 'right-sizing' approach to vehicles, recognising that larger vehicles like SUVs are not suited to urban areas, whereas PTWs and LEVs provide a more adaptable and efficient alternative. Advances in battery technology also mean that these vehicles can now cover longer distances across different terrains.

However, safety concerns, particularly regarding e-scooters and other LEVs, were raised. Participants called for a shift in the narrative to position these vehicles as both practical and safe for urban travel. Infrastructure, particularly parking and charging facilities, was identified as a critical area for development. EU-funded projects like eCharge4Drivers and USER-CHI are already testing solutions in leading cities, with innovations such as battery-swapping and dedicated LEV charging stations highlighted as potential game-changers.

Hodder pointed out that motorcycles are highly space-efficient, with six motorcycles able to park in the space of a single car, offering significant savings in urban areas. However, challenges remain, including access to highways and the need for infrastructure adaptation. Mayrhofer presented the Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium, which aims to establish an EU-wide standard for swappable battery services to improve efficiency and reduce charging times, with successful trials already taking place in Barcelona and Berlin.

Parking: Adapting cities for PTWs and LEVs

The Parking session focused on how cities are addressing the integration of PTWs, LEVs, and microcars into the existing mobility landscape. These smaller vehicles support the trend towards downsizing and space reallocation, but appropriate parking frameworks are often lacking. This poses challenges in terms of space utilisation and compliance with Urban Vehicle Access Regulations (UVARs).

David Timothé Buen Abad (Bruxelles Mobilité), José Maria Riaño (ANESDOR), and Federico Vitale (Confindustria ANCMA) discussed parking challenges for these vehicle categories. Buen Abad explained how Brussels has integrated LEVs, such as e-scooters and cargo bikes, into its shared mobility strategy by introducing regulatory frameworks in 2018 and 2022. These frameworks simplify operational rules, reduce the number of providers, and implement stricter parking regulations, such as designated drop zones for e-scooters.

Although the number of e-scooters in Brussels has dropped by 26%, shared bikes have doubled, reflecting shifts in mobility patterns. However, enforcement remains an issue, with GPS malfunctions and overcrowded drop-off points still presenting challenges. The discussion also touched on the integration of various transport modes, such as car-sharing and e-scooters, into shared mobility hubs in dense urban areas.

Riaño emphasised the importance of dedicated parking spaces for PTWs to improve safety and visibility, suggesting they be located near pedestrian crossings. However, the lack of charging points, especially in low-emission zones, remains a significant barrier. Vitale highlighted that while Italian policymakers are increasingly recognising the potential of PTWs to reduce congestion, policy has yet to catch up with market trends. Solutions like allowing PTWs to use bus lanes or turn at red lights could further increase their adoption.

Parking infrastructure was repeatedly emphasised as a critical issue for PTWs and LEVs. As cars continue to increase in size, cities are rethinking how to allocate parking spaces, creating opportunities to accommodate smaller vehicles. This moment is crucial for advocates to push for dedicated parking and charging infrastructure for these vehicle types.

Safety & Security: Ensuring a safe environment for PTWs and LEVs

The Safety and Security session explored how the rise of electromobility is diversifying PTWs and LEVs while local governments implement road safety and mobility policies. Speakers discussed how these vehicles can safely integrate into urban traffic.

Laurent Carnis (Université Gustave Eiffel) emphasised a 'safe systems' approach, urging that policies be adapted to regional contexts. He highlighted the importance of involving various stakeholders, including NGOs and the private sector, in designing public safety policies. Veneta Vassileva (ACEM) presented the motorcycle industry's safety strategy, focusing on technology and connectivity to improve vehicle visibility. However, implementing car-like safety features on motorcycles remains challenging due to their smaller size.

Concerns about the use of bus lanes by motorcycles were also raised. Trials in London revealed no significant safety issues, but as usage increases, this practice may need to be revisited. Additionally, the concept of 'motonormativity'—the car-centric approach to road safety—was identified as needing reform to include a wider range of vehicle types.

Urban freight: LEVs and the future of urban deliveries

With the rise of e-commerce and demand for zero-emission logistics, light vehicles and heavy quadricycles are becoming increasingly important in urban freight. These vehicles offer versatile, emission-free solutions for last-mile deliveries. Speakers in this session explored how these vehicles can help cities manage logistics more efficiently.

Loïc Nys Taymans D'Eypernon (Bruxelles Mobilité) explained that Brussels is creating new logistics hubs, including nano-hubs, to reduce the number of kilometres travelled by delivery vehicles. Public-private partnerships are key to these efforts, with last-mile cyclo-logistic hubs planned for expansion by 2025.

Federico Vitale (ANCMA) highlighted the growing use of electric cargo bikes for last-mile deliveries in Italy, noting that 11 cities now offer incentives for these vehicles. However, challenges remain, including the increasing weight of cargo bikes and the reluctance of van drivers to switch to smaller delivery vehicles.

The discussion emphasised the need for clear regulations on vehicle weight, size, and space. With new vehicles entering the market without established guidelines, collaboration between manufacturers and public authorities is essential to optimise urban freight.

Governance & Integration: Growing the role of moped sharing

The final session focused on how moped sharing can contribute to sustainable urban mobility. Although shared bikes and e-scooters have dominated the discussion, shared mopeds are increasingly important in providing transport options, especially in suburban areas.

Julien Chamussy (FLUCTUO) noted the volatile nature of the moped-sharing market, with significant consolidation since its expansion in 2021. Camille Loth (Cooltra) described how the company has grown from renting mopeds to tourists to becoming a key player in nine European countries, while José Maria Riaño (ANESDOR) discussed how moped sharing has attracted new users, although infrastructure and safety concerns remain barriers to further growth.

The session highlighted key challenges, including the need for better infrastructure, improved safety measures, and regulations. Expanding moped-sharing services to suburban areas has proved difficult due to profitability concerns, and there is a clear need for collaboration between manufacturers, logistics providers, and city authorities to address these challenges.