Report Highlights Shift to Micromobility for Daily Travel

Why It Matters

The shift reduces reliance on personal vehicles, reshaping urban transportation planning, emissions targets, and equity outcomes. Cities that invest in micromobility infrastructure can capture new ridership while supporting lower‑income commuters.

Key Takeaways

• One third postpone car purchase due to shared scooters/bikes
• 73% cut car trips, using micromobility daily
• 45% use micromobility for first/last‑mile transit
• 65% feel safe where protected bike lanes exist
• 59% riders earn under $50k, highlighting affordability

Pulse Analysis

The Veo 2025 Rider Report provides the most comprehensive snapshot yet of how shared scooters, e‑bikes and cargo bikes are redefining urban mobility. By surveying over 15,000 users across 60 U.S. cities, the study quantifies a behavioral pivot: a sizable share of riders now view micromobility as a substitute for car ownership rather than a supplemental leisure activity. This substitution effect—one‑third delaying a vehicle purchase and three‑quarters cutting car trips—signals a tangible reduction in vehicle miles traveled, with downstream benefits for traffic congestion and greenhouse‑gas emissions.

Infrastructure emerges as the decisive lever for accelerating adoption. The report finds that 65% of respondents feel safe only when protected bike lanes or car‑free streets are present, and more than half admit to riding on sidewalks when road conditions feel unsafe. Cities that prioritize dedicated cycling corridors can therefore unlock a new wave of riders, especially among lower‑income households—59% of whom earn under $50,000—and people with disabilities, who represent roughly one in four users. Affordable, diverse fleets that include seated scooters, cargo bikes and adaptive models broaden the appeal, making micromobility a viable first‑ and last‑mile link to public transit for a wider demographic.

For municipal planners and micromobility operators, the findings translate into a clear strategic imperative: embed shared micro‑vehicles into long‑term transportation plans rather than treating them as a temporary experiment. Integrating real‑time data, expanding protected lanes, and ensuring equitable pricing will cement micromobility’s role in reducing car dependence, improving air quality, and fostering inclusive urban movement. As the sector matures, policymakers who act now can capture economic benefits, boost transit ridership, and meet sustainability targets while delivering tangible mobility options to underserved communities.