In recent years, with the rise of low-carbon travel trends, micro-mobility solutions, represented by electric bicycles and electric scooters, have become the fastest-growing mode of transportation globally. Europe, being a crucial sector for the development of electric two-wheelers, holds vast market potential and a diverse user base.
Traditionally, the electric two-wheeler market in Europe has been dominated by Germany, France, and Italy, making them significant driving forces for the bicycle market in the region. France, with its longstanding love for bicycles, exemplified by the annual Tour de France, has witnessed a growing preference for electric bikes and electric scooters as part of the green transportation movement.
Simultaneously, France’s efforts to promote bicycle infrastructure have further propelled the development of the bicycle market. In early May, the French government introduced a plan to invest €2 billion in developing the French bicycle industry, constructing dedicated bicycle lanes, and encouraging the public to cycle. For users, bicycles are gradually becoming the preferred choice for daily commuting. So, how exactly are micro-mobility solutions being used in France? The following summary is based on survey data from mobiprox.
Average Travel Distance:
For the French, micro-mobility tools are primarily used for short to medium-distance travel. The chart below illustrates the monthly changes in the average micro-mobility travel distance for the French. On average, the monthly travel distance is around 60 kilometers, translating to roughly two kilometers per day.
Variation in Travel Time on Weekdays and Weekends:
The travel time varies between weekdays and weekends, with weekday travel being more concentrated. Peak travel periods occur from 6-8 am and 4-6 pm. On Sundays, travel times are more dispersed, primarily concentrated between 8 am and 6 pm.
From the chart below, it can be observed that more than 50% of French consumers are likely to have demands for other modes of transportation outside micro-mobility tools. The frequency of using other transportation modes per month remains relatively high, including cars, subways, walking, buses, and trains. Micro-mobility tools currently only cover short to medium distances, requiring other means of transportation for long-distance travel.
Reducing Carbon Emissions:
Assuming a carbon emission rate of 0.198 kg per kilometer for cars, the average reduction in carbon emissions per person per month is around 3.5 kg.
Similarly, in terms of energy consumption, the energy savings per person based on travel distance are quite substantial.
Shared Electric Scooter Services:
Shared electric scooters are relatively popular in France. In 2018, Paris pioneered the use of electric scooters for travel in Europe, being one of the earliest cities globally to introduce them. However, as the popularity and numbers of two-wheelers increased, there were evident shortcomings in their management.
In a survey on impressions of electric scooters, 42% of respondents believed that electric scooters would negatively impact the existing transportation system, while 36% thought that shared electric scooters would increase the risk of accidents. Shared electric scooters have already been banned in Paris, though they are still in use in other cities.
Despite some concerns about the safety of shared electric scooters, 39% of respondents use them at least once a month.
Regarding the purposes of using shared electric scooters, leisure activities are the most common, followed by holiday travel and professional use. Commuting accounts for only 19%, perhaps due to the widespread adoption of personal micro-mobility tools.
