Reflections on Shared Micromobility and the Road Ahead

Better Bike Share Partnership Writer and Content Manager Odochi Akwani shares personal reflections on the past year and explores what’s ahead in 2025.

As someone new to the shared micromobility (SMM) space, spending this past year as BBSP’s writer was both encouraging and inspiring. I discovered an industry that is far more vibrant and intersectional than I realized going into this position. What began as an exploration of bike share systems unfolded into understanding how SMM brings people from all walks of life together to build better, more equitable communities.

One of the most surprising aspects of SMM is its broad appeal across different professions. It’s not just urban planners who are shaping this space — there are public health professionals, tech innovators, activists, entrepreneurs, mechanics, and nonprofit leaders all contributing in their own unique ways. 

Additionally, I learned how SMM systems are intertwined with infrastructure development. A well-designed SMM network relies on bike lanes, docking stations, and safe streets — all of which require thoughtful urban planning, investment, and intentional community engagement. These improvements create safer and more livable cities for everyone. 

Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue telling the evolving stories of SMM. Solar-powered charging stations, adaptive fleets, and cargo bike options are becoming more and more relevant. I’m particularly excited to see the impact of the free Pacers Bikeshare program in Marion County in Greater Indianapolis after its first full year. Similarly, regional systems like those emerging in the Sonoma and Marin County region, Western New York, and Greater Boston have the potential to reshape their transit ecosystems in meaningful ways.

WHAT’S TO COME IN 2025

Transportation Justice Fellowship: Our newest cohort is well underway with fellows engaged in skills-building sessions and one-on-one coaching. Fellows are supported by both BBSP staff and Robin Wright-Pierce and Nelson Pierce, Jr. from Transforming Change. Stay tuned for upcoming BBSP stories as we feature fellows each month leading up to the NACTO Designing Cities Conference where they will have a role in facilitating BBSP’s annual Shared Micromobility Roundtable.

Living Labs: The LA Living Lab Coalition, POGOH Bike Share, Tugo Bike Share, and Indego Bike Share are entering their first full year as Living Lab cities. With monthly cohort calls, the Living Labs serve as a space for cities across the country to connect and learn from each other. Each group is addressing barriers to accessing and using SMM in low-income communities and communities of color in their cities. As they test strategies for increasing participation, we look forward to learning from their work and reporting on their lessons learned.

Mini-Grants: Encouraged by the success of the 2024 awardees, we are thrilled to open our next round of mini-grants next month. Nonprofit community-based organizations, cities, and SMM operators are all encouraged to submit a proposal for grants ranging from $2,500-$10,000. Applications will open in mid-February — stay tuned!

As we kick off 2025, we have the opportunity to reflect on how far SMM has come and imagine what’s next, both for the industry and for BBSP. The potential for SMM to serve and engage diverse communities, connect with other public transit options, and lower transportation-related emissions is enormous. I look forward to telling these stories in the year ahead.

The Better Bike Share Partnership is funded by The JPB Foundation as a collaboration between the City of Philadelphia, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), and the PeopleForBikes Foundation to build equitable and replicable bike share systems. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or sign up for our weekly newsletter. Have a question or a story idea? Email odochi@peopleforbikes.org