Expanding Shared Micromobility Access for Riders With Disabilities

New research from the Motability Foundation examines the challenges faced by riders living with a disability when accessing shared micromobility and explores areas for improvement.

Adaptive MoGo fleet

Making adaptive bikes an option in bike share systems is one way to create more equity in bike share. Incorporating adaptive bikes into your fleet isn’t just a good idea — it’s a growing best practice, as highlighted at the latest NABSA Conference during the “Adapt and Overcome: Scaling Adaptive Micromobility for Wider Implementation” session. Systems like Biketown in Portland, POGOH in Pittsburgh, and Hamilton Bike Share have already integrated adaptive options into their bike share operations. A 2022 workshop hosted by MoGo in Detroit, whose system has had an adaptive program since 2018, emphasized that shared micromobility (SMM) systems should actively be finding ways to serve everyone. Research from the Motability Foundation further underscores the importance of expanding fleets to include adaptive bikes, ensuring greater accessibility for riders living with a disability.

Hamilton’s Adaptive Bike fleet located in a shipping container

The report, delivered by the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) and CoMoUK (Collaborative Mobility UK), surveyed people living with a disability and key stakeholders in the shared micromobility industry to identify challenges people in the disabled community face when using shared micromobility in the UK.

RiDC and CoMoUK worked directly with the disabled community to gain insight into their relationship with shared micromobility. They also interviewed five industry stakeholders to learn more about the barriers to implementation and the future of adaptive SMM. 782 disabled RiDC panel members with a variety of impairments, such as mobility, stamina/breathing/fatigue, dexterity, and more, participated in an online survey. Additionally, three online focus groups were conducted with 18 people living with a disability. 

10% of survey participants had used shared micromobility before being part of the research, but 53% believed that SMM could improve the lives of people living with a disability, pointing to the benefits of being able to go outdoors, providing a sustainable way to travel, and a means to travel spontaneously.

Learnings from the interviews, surveys, and focus groups led the Motability Foundation to make nine recommendations to improve inclusivity within shared micromobility systems to improve the experience for people living with a disability. These recommendations are grouped into four themes. 

Legislation And Regulations

• Modernize legislation for shared personal mobility
• Incentivise accessible SMM implementation and delivery
• Establish clear accessibility standards for SMM services
• Expand and diversify SMM trials

Vehicle Design 

• Launch an accessible design challenge for SMM services
• Convene a SMM summit

Booking And Delivery

• Create accessible digital platforms

Raising Awareness and Confidence

• Advocate for and partner on inclusive SMM services
• Implement accessibility training

Read the full report to learn more about the recommendations. The report specifies which sector would be the best lead for each recommendation.

Building on this research, CoMoUK is launching a project to increase access to shared micromobility for riders living with a disability. By partnering with micromobility operators, local authorities, and community groups, they aim to create more inclusive opportunities — offering road confidence training, assistance with booking vehicles, and buddy ride programs to help people living with disabilities navigate e-bikes and e-scooters.