Empowering Women on Wheels - Micromobility Celebrates International Women’s Day | March 8th, 2024
Also, Stellantis introduced its electric muscle cars and Uber collaborates with Revel to offer drivers discounted access to EV charging stations.
Issue [#229] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
Last Chance to Save on Curbivore Tickets - Join DoorDash, Waymo, Starship & More
The whole world of the curb converges at Curbivore, March 28-29. Join our latest partners - DoorDash, Waymo, Starship, Gigs, Tern and Tranzito - for the industry's most interesting event, live in Los Angeles. Act fast, this is your last chance to score tickets for just $195 - prices jump EOD Friday!
Driver Meetup: Exploring the Gig Economy
RSG’s Sergio is heading to the Bay Area soon! Join us for a driver meetup focused on the gig economy. Enjoy free food and drinks while discussing the industry. Hosted by Zocalo Public Square and the James Irvine Foundation, this event takes place on March 13 at 7 PM PT.
Micromobility
Micromobility operators are marking International Women’s Day by offering incentives to boost female ridership. Lime has partnered with Women’s Aid, offering 100,000 minutes of free riding in 2024 to women living in London’s refuge accommodation. Swedish operator Voi is providing new female customers with 15 minutes of free e-scooter and e-bike riding, with a focus on promoting gender diversity in micromobility. Additionally, Irish operator Zeus is offering half-price unlocks and free rides for referrals throughout the day | ZAGDaily
The inaugural #NewMobilityForum, held in collaboration between Zag Daily and the eSkootr Championship, convened leaders from various sectors to discuss micromobility, transport policy, and the impact of sports on society. Key themes centered around the need for innovation, safety, and environmental consciousness in shaping the future of urban transportation | ZAGDaily via Youtube
Anadue's data analysis highlights the importance of targeted promotions for low-usage customers, prioritizing customer retention, and leveraging location intelligence for strategic fleet deployment. Understanding seasonality nuances provides operators with the insights needed to thrive year-round. Customer analytics, often overlooked, emerges as a pivotal tool for micromobility businesses to shape strategies and foster growth | ZAGDaily
Bikes and e-bikes are becoming more than just rides; they're now part of bigger transit plans. A recent talk by the North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association explained how bikes can get public funding. By treating bike-sharing like regular public transit and including it in city plans, we can see it as a crucial part of getting around. Nonprofits, like Cascadia Mobility in Oregon, show how partnerships help. Cities like Hamilton in Canada and the Bay Area in San Francisco openly budget for bike-sharing, making it clear and accepted by the public | GovTech
In the sixth edition of the Most Influential Women in Mobility Report, Vulog celebrates 16 remarkable women shaping the future of shared mobility. With a spotlight on global expansion, the report emphasizes diversity in an industry where women constitute only 17%. Through meticulous evaluation and a commitment to gender equality, Vulog aims to inspire women to stay and succeed, challenging the prevailing notion of a male-dominated sector | ZAGDaily
Product Launches & Updates
Stellantis unveils its electric muscle cars, the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack and Daytona R/T, combining iconic features with eco-conscious technology. Scheduled for production in mid-2024, these electric chargers mark Stellantis' commitment to cut its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030. While embracing electric power, Dodge maintains its core gas-powered models, emphasizing both innovation and tradition | TechCrunch
GreenPower has delivered its first electric school bus, the Type D BEAST, to Arizona's Phoenix Elementary School District #1. The 40-foot bus seats up to 90 passengers, boasts a 194 kWh battery pack for a 150-mile range, and supports dual port charging. As schools embrace sustainable options, the BEAST aims to provide clean and efficient transportation, contributing to a cleaner environment for students and communities | Electrek
Rivian's long-awaited R2 series, including R3 and R3X models, was revealed in a live-streamed event from California. Set for launch in the first half of 2026, the R2 starts at $45,000, with an estimated 330-mile range and under three seconds 0–60 mph time. The lineup targets a broader market and signifies Rivian's strategic shift. The R3X, a sportier variant, adds excitement. Amidst its production challenges, Rivian aims to redefine accessibility in electric vehicles, offering innovation and performance at an affordable price point | The Verge
Seattle-based Rad Power Bikes, a popular e-bike brand, announces its most significant update, unveiling Radster Road, Radster Trail, RadWagon 5, and RadExpand 5 Plus models. The highlight is the Safe Shield Battery, prioritizing safety with advanced technology. The new battery, with a 48V 15Ah capacity, offers improved protection. The Radster series now includes Class 3 capabilities, allowing speeds up to 28 mph. Rad Power Bikes focuses on affordable, feature-packed e-bikes, emphasizing safety and innovation in this latest release | Electrek
Ridehailing, Carsharing & Delivery
The WEAVE team is hosting an informative webinar to share insights from their research on the influence of autonomous vehicles on driving jobs. Explore the future impacts on gig driving, taxis, and trucking, discover job alternatives for affected workers, and delve into the feasibility and timeline of AV implementation in the transportation industry | Register Now
Waymo received approval to expand its self-driving robotaxis on highways in parts of Los Angeles and the Bay Area, allowing speeds of up to 65 mph. Despite recent safety concerns, including high-profile accidents, California regulators have greenlit Waymo's expansion plans, citing the company's commitment to continuous improvement and risk reduction | The Verge
Uber teams up with Revel to offer drivers discounted access to EV charging stations, marking a significant step towards electrifying urban transport. With plans for expansion beyond New York City, this partnership signals a shift towards sustainable mobility solutions and underscores the importance of addressing charging infrastructure gaps in dense urban areas | Electrek
A new pilot project in New York City aims to enhance the safety of delivery workers using e-bikes while improving access to charging infrastructure. Led by a collaboration between the NYC Department of Transportation, the Economic Development Corporation, and Newlab, the initiative involves Swobbee installing battery swapping stations for quick and safe battery replacements. The project seeks to mitigate the risks of battery fires, a growing concern in the city, while offering a blueprint for sustainable and safe mobility solutions | Parcel & Postal Technology International
Obi, a rideshare app, is revolutionizing the way users navigate between Uber and Lyft, tracking real-time prices and wait times to offer the best deals. Users can preselect their preferred car type, adjust passenger details, and benefit from frequent price refreshes. While Obi collects some personal data, users can opt out, and the app's efficiency in delivering substantial savings during peak hours makes it a promising tool for budget-conscious travelers seeking convenience and cost-effectiveness in ridesharing | LinkedIn
Ford has made the E-Transit van better by giving it more range (159 miles) and faster charging (67 miles in just 15 minutes). The improved battery and the ability to use Tesla's charging network make it more useful for businesses. The 2024 E-Transit starts at $51,095. In Seattle and NYC, people have different opinions about rules for gig workers, with some saying they earn more, but others claim fewer orders. Instacart is working with three new grocery stores, using its tools to improve grocery delivery. These changes show a growing competition in electric vans and ongoing debates about gig work rules | Modern Delivery
Wendy's clarifies it won't introduce surge pricing after CEO's dynamic pricing mention sparked backlash. The fast-food chain emphasizes its digital menu boards aim to offer flexibility in displaying featured items, not to raise prices during peak demand. The company states it has no plans for surge pricing and highlights potential future benefits, including changing menu offerings at different times and providing discounts. The clarification follows recent headlines comparing Wendy's "dynamic pricing" to Uber's surge pricing | Quartz
Data on assaults in taxis and ride-hailing is incomplete, says the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Uber, Lyft, and taxis lack consistent reporting, hindering understanding. The GAO studied data from ride-hail providers, taxis, and federal databases, finding it insufficient. Uber and Lyft faced assault lawsuits. The report stresses the need for better data to comprehend assault extent in ride-hailing and taxis | Smart Cities Dive
Seattle gig workers experience increased hourly wages after a new minimum wage law. Solo, a Seattle software startup, reports a 15% decrease in active workers in February, indicating a likely fall in demand. Though hourly earnings rose by 8%, tips declined by 16%. The new law led companies to adjust pay structures, with additional fees affecting consumer demand. This development highlights ongoing debates around gig worker compensation and its impact on market dynamics in Seattle | GeekWire
Investment & Deals
Lula Technologies is discussing selling its struggling insurance division to Nantucket Capital Corp. This would involve transferring the division's staff. Lula, originally focused on insurance infrastructure for transportation businesses, plans to downsize its team from 150 employees to 19. These changes, along with layoffs, affect Lula's current situation | Coverage
CEO Espen Digernes has acquired bankrupt Swedish e-motorbike manufacturer Cake. The implications for former staff and Cake's entities outside of Sweden are unclear. Cake, known for its high-performance electric motorcycles, filed for bankruptcy in February | Tech.eu
Get ready for change! Canoo's reverse stock split hits March 8, 2024, merging shares for compliance. Despite fewer shares, your ownership remains steady as Canoo seeks NASDAQ compliance. After the announcement, Canoo stock dips 10% to $0.085. Compliance requires trading above $1.00 for ten days by March 25. Reverse splits aim to boost stock prices, aiding investment and production ramp-up. Stay tuned for Canoo's Q4 earnings report later this month. Canoo's electric vans delivered to NASA, progress made with commercial vehicles | Electrek
Powerdot, led by Antin Infrastructure and Arié Group, secures €100M funding for expanding EV charging across Europe. Exciting growth ahead! | Tech.eu
Cities & Policy
CalBike supports Senator Wiener's Safe Streets package, including the Complete Streets Bill and the Safe Vehicles Save Lives Bill. The bill requires side guards on trucks and speed governors on cars to reduce fatalities. Speed governors are crucial for saving lives | Calbike
In response to security concerns, New York City's Mayor is implementing bag checks at subway stations. Additionally, the state governor is deploying National Guard soldiers and State Police officers to perform bag checks at the city's busiest subway stations starting this week | StreetsBlog NYC
Jean Ruestman, Administrator at MDOT, discusses the pivotal role of autonomous mobility in Michigan's transportation. Collaboration and innovation drive us towards safer, interconnected roads. With Cavnue, a pioneering partnership, we're creating a living lab for connected technology. Together, we're shaping the future of transportation in Michigan and beyond | Intelligent Transport
In Bacolod City, Philippines, safety measures take a sharp turn. "Executive Order 86 mandates a ban on full-face helmets," reported. Following a grenade incident on February 27, 2024, restrictions tighten. Motorcycle gear regulations prioritize public security over individual freedoms, sparking debates. "One bad apple spoils the bunch," highlighting ripple effects on safety. Motorcycle riders navigate amidst increased scrutiny and tension in the region. Blanket bans prompt global reflection on balancing safety and liberties | RideApart
New Products, Features, and Data Points
Over the past decade, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, abandoned plans to acquire Tesla and instead invested approximately $1 billion annually in numerous self-driving car designs that never materialized | Bloomberg
In 2026, Euro NCAP will introduce new testing rules in Europe. To attain the highest safety score, vehicles will be required to have physical controls instead of relying heavily on screens. This means that cars must incorporate more buttons and reduce the reliance on screens for safety ratings | The Verge
Drive smarter with Waze's latest updates! Navigate roundabouts effortlessly, get speed limit alerts, and dodge speed bumps with ease. Discover parking info, see route changes, and be aware of emergency vehicles along your journey. "Waze now helps you 'navigate a new area like a local,'" says the company. Android users globally receive updates this month, iOS users soon. Stay informed about when, where, and what matters on the road | TechCrunch
If you liked this post from Movements, why not share it? Forward it to a friend and we'll send you some sweet karma!