Air pollution continues to increase in cities globally, thanks to rising congestion from road vehicles. As a result, more cities and commuters find ways to resolve this environmental concern. One solution that is becoming a trend among cities is implementing personal micro-mobility devices.
Micro-mobility refers to small and light individual vehicles with speeds up to 25 km/h. Popular micro-mobility examples include commuter electric scooters, electric bikes, shared bicycles, hoverboards, and electric skateboards.
However, do these devices really help the environment? Some say that micro-mobility devices still contribute to carbon emissions when you consider their overall life cycle. However, many studies prove that these devices provide a positive impact on the environment. Here are some of the ways micro-mobility devices help the environment.
The Benefits of Micro-mobility Devices
1. Reduces Carbon Emissions in the Atmosphere
Road transportation is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in cities. In the US and the UK alone, 28% of emissions come from road vehicles. Although electric vehicles like cars are available, many can’t afford them. Plus, many cities still haven’t adopted electric buses and public transportation. Micro-mobility vehicles have become an affordable and convenient way to reduce carbon emissions in cities.
These devices emit no carbon dioxide and harmful gases since they don’t use fuel to operate. As a result, they contribute to reducing air pollution in the atmosphere. The EPA states that passenger vehicles produce around 4.6 metric tons of CO2 every year. Meanwhile, a study by Lime found that e-scooters help save over 330 tons of CO2 annually. That’s why e-scooters are greener to use in cities. Overall, micro-mobility devices will help reduce air pollution in the long run.
2. Helps Save on Energy Sources
Since micro-mobility devices don’t use fuel, they don’t contribute to the use and depletion of fossil fuels. Instead, they operate on electricity, which can be produced through renewable energy like solar and wind energy. However, e-ride owners shouldn’t worry about high electricity bills. These devices don’t make a huge difference to the electricity bill. So, don’t hesitate to buy an electric scooter, electric bike, or hoverboard if you are worried about high energy costs.
Aside from this, more manufacturers are switching to renewable energy sources to reduce their environmental impact. Many micro-mobility companies have become conscious of their processes as consumers demand to reduce their carbon footprint when it comes to the manufacturing process. As micro-mobility technology develops, expect to see more energy-saving features and processes for these devices.
3. Uses Recyclable and Sustainable Materials
Unfortunately, micro-mobility devices tend to have a shorter life span than a car and motorcycle. For example, a typical electric scooter only lasts for two to three years, while shared e-scooters only last months. This becomes a concern for many since this means more devices will need to be discarded in just a few years.
Fortunately, many micro-mobility companies have been producing devices made from recyclable and sustainable materials. For example, many electric scooters use aluminium alloy, a type of metal that can be melted down and recycled repeatedly. Recycling aluminium alloy saves 9 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Aside from this, many micro-mobility devices use parts with recyclable metals, copper wires, and magnets. Overall, micro-mobility companies are finding more sustainable ways to manufacture these devices and reduce their impact on the environment.
4. Promotes Less Waste
Since micro-mobility devices use recyclable parts and materials, they will contribute less to landfill waste when they are thrown away. The parts can be re-used on these devices or turned into a new object. Meanwhile, cars are more difficult to recycle, and they continue to fill land waste.
A 2004 paper found that 20 million injected moulded plastic parts become waste in the US annually. Meanwhile, Australia receives around 1.3 million damaged automotive plastics in landfills. This weighs a total of 3,000 tons. By opting for micro-mobility devices, commuters help reduce the amount of plastic waste from vehicles in the long run.
5. Helps Free Up Space
Finally, micro-mobility devices help cities and commuters free up space. For example, cars are usually parked most of the time. In highly-dense cities, they even park at the side of the road, which reduces road space and adds to the traffic. Cities resolve this issue by building car parks to accommodate the increasing number of vehicles. However, this also means giving up on nature and green spaces.
Micro-mobility devices don’t occupy much space, which means they won’t cause congestion whether it is parked or being used. In fact, several e-scooter, e-bikes, or hoverboards fit in one parking slot. Plus, many cities incorporate bike lanes or pathways with nature, which helps preserve flora and fauna in cities. Overall, it promotes green spaces in cities.
Start Travelling Greener
Micro-mobility devices, like e-scooters and e-bikes, prove that it is more than just a trend. It offers commuters and cities a practical, innovative, and eco-friendly way to travel. People can expect more features and upgrades on these devices since they are relatively new. Now, it is up to you if you will contribute to making urban transportation more eco-friendly.
