Trave l li n g clean post-pan demi c
TRAVELLING CLEAN POST-PANDEMIC by Sam Morgan
COVID-19 is set to have a stimulating effect
brightly-coloured ride-share e-scooters
In mid-June, the US firm said that all of
on various forms of mobility, thanks in
and e-bikes largely disappeared from
its vehicles would be electric-powered
part to a change in people’s travel habits,
Europe’s streets during lockdowns due
by 2030 to prevent tens of thousands of
caused by the pandemic. The 2020s could
mostly to curfews and hygiene concerns,
tonnes of pollution from entering the
be a golden age for bikes, scooters, electric
the sector’s big players are planning a
atmosphere.
cars and trains.
comeback.
Lockdowns and the need for social-
Uber recently offloaded its flame-red
distancing have convinced city planners to
e-bikes and e-scooters to Lime, after
allocate more space to active mobility like
leading an investment round worth $170
cycling and walking.
million. The two firms have agreed to
As quarantines lift and more people go back out into the streets, space is at a premium. In capitals like Berlin, Brussels, Paris and Rome, kilometres of new bike paths have been created and existing routes widened. Roads that were previously the domain of cars are now blocked off and pedestrianised.
SUBSIDISING ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT Governments want people to use mass public transport only when absolutely necessary and to leave their cars at home when possible - which was already an objective of sorts before the virus struck - and have offered purchase subsidies to thousands of people. Italians can qualify for a €500 voucher that can be spent on bikes, scooters, monowheels or hoverboards, while French citizens can get their bike repair bills paid for by the government.
“Now more than ever, we need to work together to create cleaner, healthier, and more equitable communities,” said Lyft co-founder
integrate better their apps and collaborate
John Zimmer. “Success breeds success,
more effectively.
and if we do this right, it creates a
“Lime is emerging from the crisis as the clear market leader, with expanded bike options and financing that will position us to build a sustainable long-lasting business,” said Lime Europe’s Ghassan Haddad. The deal suffered an immediate major hiccup though, as thousands of e-bikes were sent to the scrapheap, as Uber cited “maintenance, liability and safety concerns”. After a mass public backlash, the companies decided to reverse their decision.
CONSUMERS’ CLIMATE CONSCIENCE
path for others.” But his company did not reveal how much it is willing to spend to make that happen and convincing the huge number of people who use their own cars to work shifts will be a tall order.
CHEAPER AND CLEANER New research shows that electric vehicles can actually be cheaper to run than regular combustion engine cars though, depending on which country drivers are in and where they are able to recharge their batteries. According to a study by mobility group Transport & Environment, French drivers
Improved air quality caused by the slump
could save up to €3000 per year. In
in industrial and transport activity during
general, savings could reach 14% when
lockdown has also increased consumer
compared to a normal diesel motor.
awareness about health and climate issues. Uber’s ride-hailing rival Lyft has jumped on that bandwagon by pledging to go green in a big way.
Although the now ubiquitous sight of
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