The urban landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as micromobility solutions gain traction across cities worldwide. Since the mid-2010s, the proliferation of free-floating electric bikes, mopeds, and scooters has reshaped how people navigate urban environments. This shift towards more sustainable and efficient transportation options is not just a passing trend but a fundamental reimagining of urban mobility.
According to the New Urban Mobility alliance (NUMO), the number of cities with dockless, shared micromobility has doubled between 2019 and 2023, with operations rising by 70%. Despite initial setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry quickly rebounded, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers by 2021. As of January 2024, dockless micromobility services can be found in 1,200 cities across 66 countries, served by more than 150 unique operators such as Lime, Bird, and Tier.
Europe has emerged as the leader in dockless operations, accounting for three-quarters of all global operations. This dominance is exemplified by cities like Milan, Italy, which tops the list with 18 distinct operations across bikes, mopeds, and scooters. Milan's success can be attributed to its comprehensive Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, which aims to shift citizens away from car ownership by expanding the city's cycling network and implementing initiatives like the Strade Aperte, Open Streets, project.
Similarly, Barcelona, Spain, has demonstrated a strong commitment to active mobility. The city's Urban Mobility Plan aims to reduce car trips to just 18% while encouraging walking, cycling, and public transportation. Barcelona's innovative superblocks concept, which prioritizes public space for pedestrians and cyclists, has been instrumental in this shift. The city has also seen rapid growth in its bike lane network, expanding from just 10 kilometers in 1996 to 209 kilometers in 2019.
Germany stands out as the country with the most dockless micromobility operations, boasting 360 across 139 cities as of June 2023. This growth can be attributed to the country's flexible regulatory environment, particularly the Small Electric Vehicle Regulation, eKFV, which gave state-level governments authority over regulating these vehicles. Germany's National Cycling Plan 3.0, released in 2023, further demonstrates the country's commitment to promoting sustainable and active mobility nationwide.
While the growth of micromobility has been largely positive, it has not been without challenges. Cities like Brussels, Belgium, have implemented stricter regulations in response to concerns about safety and obstruction of public spaces. In July 2022, Brussels introduced new rules, including designated parking areas for scooters and a ban on sidewalk riding. Despite these regulations, the number of dockless micromobility options in Brussels actually increased between 2022 and 2023, suggesting that well-designed regulations can coexist with industry growth.
As the micromobility industry continues to evolve, cities are increasingly viewing these services as integral parts of their multimodal transportation systems and key to meeting climate goals. However, for dockless micromobility to become a fixture of urban transportation, cities must allocate street space equitably and invest in infrastructure for walking, cycling, and other forms of micromobility. The future of urban mobility looks increasingly micromobile, promising not only environmental benefits but also improvements in urban livability, social equity, and community health.
As of the latest close, Bird Global Inc. (NYSE: BRDS) is trading at $1.18, up 2.61% on the New York Stock Exchange.
The stock is currently in a sideways trend, oscillating between support at $1.00 and resistance at $1.30. The 50-day moving average is at $1.22, slightly above the current price, while the 200-day moving average is at $1.85, indicating a longer-term downtrend. The MACD is showing a potential bullish crossover, suggesting a possible short-term upward momentum. Fibonacci retracement levels indicate potential support at $1.10 and resistance at $1.25. The stock is trading near the middle of its Bollinger Bands, suggesting neutral momentum. This sideways trend reflects the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the micromobility sector, with investors weighing the industry's growth potential against profitability concerns and regulatory challenges.
