Advocacy for Shared Micromobility
A core pillar of NABSA’s work is advocacy for the shared micromobility industry. Our goal is to improve shared micromobility’s position in federal legislation by educating and building relationships with policy-makers, partnering with others in the industry, and serving as a resource and industry expert.
For advocacy to work, we need a variety of voices and perspectives speaking up on behalf of the industry. Wins like what we saw in the Moving Forward Act passed by the House earlier this year is the result of hard work by many advocates in the industry working together. We are grateful for the work that many have done to achieve this, and we want to make our voice louder in the year to come. If you are a shared micromobility stakeholder but have not yet been involved in advocating for it, or if you are an advocate and are seeking to get more people in your workplace or community involved, we have created a tool to help you. Our Advocacy 101 One-pager provides potential advocates with guidance and suggestions and can support existing advocates’ ongoing efforts.
Advocacy has the power to influence policy, create and expand infrastructure that supports micromobility, like bike lanes, increase funding for shared micromobility programs, and strengthen relationships with communities. When making a case for supporting shared micromobility, here are some benefits that can be cited:
- Shared micromobility is an active form of transportation and can support the general well-being of users.
- When compared to cars, shared bikes and scooters significantly reduce emissions. According to our 2019 Shared Micromobility State of the Industry Report, when comparing trips alone, shared micromobility offset approximately 65 million pounds of CO2 emissions.
- Also from the report, 36% of shared micromobility trips replaced a car trip, lessening congestion.
- Shared micromobility riders are more likely to stop and patron local stores and restaurants than drivers.
- Studies conducted by the Micromobility Coalition and DePaul University show that access to shared micromobility substantially increases the number of jobs that people can access without a car within a 45-minute commute.
We are in a unique position to make positive changes for the industry. The president-elect has committed to fighting climate change by enforcing clean air and energy legislation, reducing emissions, and investing in improved infrastructure, including streets. Advocacy can help ensure that future policies include shared micromobility by demonstrating how the industry can help achieve these goals. Additionally, the ongoing pandemic has encouraged a shift in the way people get around and encouraged a more human-centered design in our cities. Advocates can take advantage of this shift by working with policy-makers as they plan for life after the pandemic.
NABSA continues to engage with policy-makers regarding federal legislation that can impact the shared micromobility industry. Advocacy at the state and local levels works best when it comes from the members of the community. We are working hard to equip advocates with tools that will help strengthen their efforts.
Learn more about NABSA’s advocacy efforts at nabsa.net/advocacy.