Micromobility, as defined by the FHWA, comprises “Any small, low-speed, human or electric-powered transportation device, including bicycles, scooters, electric-assist bicycles (e-bikes), electric scooters (e-scooters), and other small, lightweight, wheeled conveyances”
While spending a few days visiting friends in Milan, Italy, I had the opportunity to review the micromobility (bicycles and e-scooters) options available in the area. Based on my exploration, there are several shared mobility options, including both ‘docked’ and ‘dockless’ systems from several different vendors. The vast majority of all micromobility, docked or dockless, comprised e-bike and e-scooters, with BikeMi being the only vendor offering manual bicycles.
Beyond shared micromobility, privately owned bicycles and scooters were also common and seemingly evenly split between e-bikes and manual bikes. Electric cargo and delivery bikes were also common.
Milan Cycling Infrastructure
With limited time in town and the Uber app already installed on my phone, I opted to rent a dockless Lime e-bike (manual bikes apparently are not an option via Lime). The process, via the Uber app, was very straightforward, although it did require submitting a picture of your photo ID (national ID card or passport for non-residents) to the app. Simply open the app, locate a bike, scan the QR code, follow the instructions, and enjoy. The rate was €1 to unlock the bike and then €0.29 per minute (for reference, currently 1 euro (€) = $1.15). Given that Lime utilizes a dockless system, after completing my outing, I was able to simply park the bike at a location convenient for me (I opted for a spot near existing bicycle racks being sure not to impede use of the sidewalk), end the ride in the app, and submit a photo of the bike.
The primary goal of my morning outing was to explore and document some of the area’s cycling infrastructure. To make things interesting, I opted to ride during the morning rush hour, along with many other local micromobility users, on a range of facilities, including shared use paths, on street bike lanes (standard and separated), and in mixed traffic on shared roadways, largely in the Villa San Giovanni area of Milan. Although I was able to very briefly touch 32 kilometers per hour with maximum effort it seems that 28 kph was the intended max speed, as it could be comfortably sustained with moderate effort. I survived, and even rather enjoyed, the ride, getting honked at only once over many random miles.
adventureECO Cycling 