Mobility Matters Daily #139 – E-scooters on the road to profitability, and we can't judge the impacts of the pandemic just yet

There is also a classic of a visualisation shown

Good day friend.

Reading Jonathan Bray’s blog on the excellent work to improve the public realm in Rotterdam (note: I have been there and I agree with every word of his analysis – its amazing) reminds me of the wise words of Master Yoda:

Do, or do not. There is no try.

We are at this point when it comes to tackling the climate crisis. We cannot put off the hard choices any more. Do, or do not. To the news.

James

The economics of e-scooters is showing some promise

With the e-scooter trials in the UK continuing past their original March 2021 end date, and the schemes in New York and Italy starting, the economics of running e-scooters are starting to become clearer. And it seems more favourable. An analysis of Bird’s numbers reported in TechCrunch reveals that…

the quarterly data shows an improving economic model and a multiyear path to profitability. However, that path is fraught unless a number of scenarios all work out in concert and without a glitch

Similarly, Voi has been turning a profit over the last year. Just two players, I will admit, but two major players in the e-scooter market. The reasons behind this are relatively simple – an increased asset utilisation for an asset that is relatively simple to maintain (even if the costs associated with general wear and tear scale with use) and for which the core product – the scooter – is becoming more robust.

But, as TechCrunch rightly points out, the future is far from certain. Competition is fierce, and the numbers reported by operators do not include fleet replacement. It cannot be denied, though, that they are moving in the right direction.

Its possibly still too early to make judgments about new travel patterns

Reading the latest data from TomTom, UK traffic levels are back to pre-pandemic levels, while Government data shows that public transport use is still around 60% of those levels. Meanwhile, some experts are bullish about the promise of bike sharing schemes and reallocating roadspace, while others think a golden opportunity has been missed to change things for the better. The reality is, as ever, more complex than that

As always, look for the meaning behind the data, and not just the data. There is a whole host of research into the influencing factors behind travel behaviour change during COVID-19. Including recent research from Australia, South Korea, and Sweden. Futures work teaches us that problems and behaviours have many layers, including their causes, how they relate to world views, and metaphors and myths that drive them. This is demonstrated through Causal Layered Analysis, which is an excellent way of structuring your investigation of what is happening.

The CLA Iceberg. The problem at the top shows the problem. The causes in turn drive the problem, and are in turn driven by changes in world view (values). Metaphors and myths come into play as how we see the world is rarely rational

Visualisation of the Day

A classic map of a part of London, with some buildings shaded in black. Can you tell what it is yet?

This one is a classic, and shows even a basic visual can improve your understanding immesurably. Can you guess what it is? When you do, click here to find out if you were right.

If you do nothing else today, do this

Read this report by Professor David Begg and Claire Haigh on introducing a national road pricing scheme in the UK.