Riding the Future: How Micromobility and Sustainable Transport are Reshaping Urban Landscapes | September 27th , 2024
Lyft discontinues electric scooter service in Washington, D.C., and Tesla prepares to debut its Robotaxi of the future.
Issue [#258] - Every week, we deliver analysis and curation of emerging mobility news - post a job listing here!
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Micromobility
A study by the League of American Bicyclists and Lime reveals that increased bike lane infrastructure in Washington, D.C., and Bloomington boosts ridership dramatically, reduces crashes significantly, and supports Vision Zero goals, with Lime reporting 99.99 percent incident-free trips | Streets Blog USA
Cargo bikes boom in London, offering sustainable transport solutions. From deliveries to commuting, these versatile machines reduce emissions and congestion. Businesses and individuals alike embrace cargo bikes, with government support playing a crucial role. Challenges remain, such as infrastructure and awareness, but the future looks bright for this eco-friendly mode of transport | Bloomberg
Lithium battery fires in London, averaging one every two days, prompted 143 e-bike and 36 e-scooter responses from the London Fire Brigade, resulting in three deaths. Key causes include mechanical, electrical, and thermal damage. The ‘E-bike Positive Campaign’ aims to enhance safety knowledge amid regulatory challenges | ZAGDaily
Shared micromobility is rapidly expanding as cities like Washington, D.C., and Budapest adopt flexible KPIs and SLAs. While these metrics aim to enhance service, rigid reliance on availability and strict quotas can lead to inefficiencies. Dynamic KPIs that align city objectives with user needs are essential for effective operations | ZAGDaily
Product Launches & Updates
Faraday Future, a California electric vehicle startup, is launching its second brand, Faraday X, with the slogan “Co-create, an AIEV for Everyone.” Targeting affordability, the FX 5 and FX 6 models will be priced at $20,000-$30,000 and $30,000-$50,000, respectively, addressing vehicle costs and range anxiety through innovative range-extended technology. Partnerships with four Chinese OEMs will enhance the global supply chain and manufacturing efficiency | Electric Car Reports
The Pedego Cargo e-bike is a powerful and versatile electric bike. It's designed for carrying heavy loads, making it ideal for parents or anyone who needs to transport a lot of stuff | TechCrunch
Shift Robotics launched the Moonwalkers Aero, motorized roller skates enhancing walking speed with a lighter design (4.2 pounds) and six wheels. Priced at $1,199, it offers a seven-mile range, supports users up to 220 pounds, and connects to a mobile app for multiple modes, featuring user-replaceable parts | The Verge
The Engwe LE20 electric cargo bike boasts fast charging, a remarkable 217-mile range with a double battery, and a 440 lb capacity, powered by a 1,300W peak-rated motor. Priced at $1,499 for U.S. pre-orders and €1,699 in Europe, it targets urban demand for efficient cargo transport | Electrek
Dab Motors unveils an atomic purple finish for the Dab 1a electric motorcycle, starting at €14,900 (over $16,500 USD). Limited to 400 units, it features Game Boy-inspired controls, a cartridge slot acting as the start key, and production commencing this autumn with deliveries expected in December | The Verge
Legacy automakers face uncertainty over fully committing to electric vehicles or adopting hybrids. Los Angeles-based Harbinger has developed a series hybrid powertrain for Thor Industries' RVs, featuring a gas generator alongside a 140 kWh battery for enhanced range. CEO John Harris notes that this reflects a broader hesitance toward electrification | TechCrunch
Ridehailing, Carsharing, & Delivery
Tesla's October 10 Robotaxi debut, "We, Robot," will showcase its future of autonomy. The Cybertruck-like vehicle, alongside Optimus robots, hints at a future without steering wheels or pedals. Heavily-camouflaged prototypes have been spotted testing at the Warner Bros. lot, where the event will take place. Tesla has already started sending out invitations to select shareholders and media | Electrek
Lyft is discontinuing its electric scooter service in Washington, D.C., effective October 1, 2024. CEO David Risher announced a restructuring of the urban mobility division into Lyft Urban Solutions, focusing on cost reduction, streamlined teams, and best-performing bikes and e-bikes while eliminating standalone dockless services | Fox5
Uber is expanding its autonomous vehicle partnerships, integrating WeRide’s robotaxis in Abu Dhabi this year and adding Waymo vehicles in Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta by early 2025. The company is also collaborating with U.K.-based Wayve. WeRide, having secured testing approval in the UAE, faces IPO delays in the U.S. | TechCrunch
Investment & Deals
Xiaodi Hou, ex-TuSimple CTO, bets on Bot Auto for autonomous trucking. Despite legal threats and driver shortages, Hou aims for cost-competitive, fully autonomous operations in Texas next year. Bot Auto has raised $20 million and employs ex-TuSimple engineers. The company's success hinges on its ability to overcome challenges faced by its predecessor | Forbes
Pyka, an autonomous aviation startup, rapidly developed its electric Pelican aircraft for crop-dusting and cargo transport, attracting unexpected Defense Department interest due to changing military logistics influenced by the Ukraine conflict. Collaborating with Sierra Nevada, Pyka shifted focus to defense, securing a $40 million B round led by Obvious Ventures | TechCrunch
Rivian announced $10 million in grants from its foundation to 41 grantees focused on land preservation, agriculture, and renewable energy. The Nature Conservancy received $2 million, while Ocean Resilience Climate Alliance secured $1 million. Rivian is winding down its Forever by Rivian initiative, transferring nearly $25 million to enhance philanthropic efforts | TechCrunch
AtoB, a U.S. payments solutions provider for the transportation sector, raised $130 million in Series C funding, co-led by General Catalyst and Bloomberg Beta, with Mastercard participation. Founded in 2019 in San Francisco, AtoB experienced a 500% revenue surge, driven by partnerships, including one with Uber Freight, to support small businesses | FintechFutures
Cities & Policy
Bloomberg Philanthropies is expanding its Asphalt Art Initiative, now offering up to $100,000 grants to ten cities in Canada, Mexico, and the US for traffic safety projects. The initiative aims to enhance street visibility for all users. Past efforts, like Times Square's redesign, yielded significant safety improvements | ZAGDaily
The Federal Transit Administration mandates over 700 U.S. transit agencies to conduct 90-day risk assessments due to a 120% rise in assaults since 2013, highlighted by a Los Angeles bus hijacking. Controversial measures, such as deploying the National Guard in New York, lack new funding, complicating worker safety efforts | Streets Blog USA
Washington, D.C.’s Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) continues its impressive trajectory, hitting ridership records for four consecutive months and totaling 3,788,634 trips in 2024—up 31.3% from last year. Members accounted for 63.2% of trips, predominantly on e-bikes. Fairfax County plans to add 16 new stations, while Lime reported a 41% rise to 669,000 rides | Planetizen
The White House proposed a ban on Chinese smart cars, citing national security risks from connected vehicles. The Commerce Department would restrict sales, software, and hardware, allowing automakers a year for compliance. This aligns with increased tariffs on Chinese EVs and aims to boost U.S. manufacturing while considering small producers’ exemptions | TechCrunch
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