North America – The North American Bikeshare & Scootershare Association (NABSA) is excited to bring the Annual Conference to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city, for the Ride, Thrive, Belong: Building Community Through Shared Micromobility Conference this October 7th to 9th. The NABSA Annual Conference is the leading global venue for shared micromobility and transportation leaders, practitioners, operators, and equipment and technology providers to tackle important issues facing the industry. 

According to the latest Shared Micromobility State of the Industry Report for North America, shared micromobility ridership reached its highest annual level and number of cities with systems across North America to date. In 2023, at least 172 million shared micromobility trips were taken in 421 cities across North America. The report demonstrates shared micromobility’s continued viability and strength as an important mode in the public transportation ecosystem, and shows an industry that continues to grow, mature, electrify, and gain efficiencies and effectiveness.

“Communities increasingly view and utilize shared micromobility as an essential mode in a multi-modal network. This is what we need to further climate and equity goals, and make our communities more sustainable into the future,” said NABSA Executive Director Sam Herr. “The NABSA conference plays a key role in bringing together the public, private, and non-profit leaders and practitioners of the industry to move it forward.”

The conference theme, Ride, Thrive, Belong: Building Community Through Shared Micromobility, recognizes shared micromobility as a connector and integral part of the transportation landscape, and a vehicle for creating a sense of belonging for riders and workers in communities, where ridership thrives with all-time highs. During this 3-day conference attendees will experience Philadelphia’s shared micromobility system and street infrastructure firsthand, learn from and share ideas with shared micromobility peers, connect with exhibitors, hear inspiring plenary speakers, and network with colleagues from all over the world. 

This year’s conference host, the City of Philadelphia, partners with Bicycle Transit Systems to operate Indego, Philadelphia’s bikeshare system with over 250 stations and 2,000+ bikes across the city. Indego is in the midst of a significant bikeshare system expansion. This expansion has goals to reach new users and communities throughout the city. Additionally, the City of Philadelphia has an Indego Community Advisory Council made up of long-standing Indego community partners that help advise the Indego team on new initiatives and goals.

Last year, Indego released its  2023 Indego Equity Plan. This five-year plan is intended to establish a path for Indego to continue to grow and operate in an equitable manner. The plan provides a look back on the best practices that the City of Philadelphia and Indego have developed and outlines a roadmap to lead the way in equitable bikeshare growth and operation.

“Bikeshare in Philadelphia is thriving! Our Indego bikeshare program is expanding to reach more communities throughout the city and ridership is at an all-time high. We also have a great public-private partnership with our system operator Bicycle Transit Systems. As the birthplace of the Better Bike Share Partnership (BBSP), we are proud of our work to advance equity and access in shared micromobility and look forward to having our NASBA family here to experience our work firsthand,” says Waffiyyah Murray, Indego Program Manager with the City of Philadelphia. 

The NABSA Annual Conference will feature a keynote from Anna Zivarts. Anna is a low-vision parent, nondriver and author of When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. During her keynote, Anna will share about her book and highlight how shared micromobility can help communities steer away from car dependency. She will explore how when the needs of involuntary nondrivers are viewed as essential to how transportation systems and communities are designed, not only will we be able to more easily get where we need to go, but the changes will lead to healthier, climate-friendly communities for everyone. 

This year NABSA will be screening Diverse Voices in Shared Micromobility: A Video Series. Taking it off the page, and into the field, NABSA is releasing this series to hear directly from those working in shared micromobility in Guadalajara, Mexico; Hamilton, Canada; and Philadelphia, United States. A project in partnership with the Better Bike Share Partnership (BBSP), and following last year’s publication of the resource Building a Better Shared Micromobility Industry: Best Practices for More Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces toolkit, conference attendees will get the first look. 

For 2024, Lyft, which operates shared micromobility systems in the largest cities across the United States, joins the NABSA conference as presenting sponsor.

“Shared micromobility ridership in North America is at an all time high and continues to contribute to stronger, more resilient transportation networks,” said Caroline Samponaro, VP of Micromobility Policy at Lyft and member of the NABSA Board of Directors. “NABSA, and its annual conference convening leaders in the micromobility industry, is an essential force in building relationships and pushing for policies that set shared bike and scooter systems up for growing impact in communities across North America. We at Lyft are proud to support this year’s gathering as the Presenting Sponsor and look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!”

The Ride, Thrive, Belong: Building Community Through Shared Micromobility Conference will take place Monday, October 7th through Wednesday, October 9th in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. The conference will feature sessions on topics from equity and sustainability to operations and planning, shared micromobility charging to community engagement, and so much more. In addition to attending panel sessions, attendees can experience Philadelphia’s shared micromobility system, street infrastructure, and equity planning firsthand during a mobile workshop, connect with exhibitors, and network with other professionals from all over the world. More information about the conference agenda, speakers, registration, and more can be found at nabsa.net/2024conference. 

Learn more about NABSA at nabsa.net.

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The North American Bikeshare & Scootershare Association (NABSA) collaborates across sectors to grow shared micromobility and its benefits to communities, creating a more equitable and sustainable transportation ecosystem. NABSA is the industry’s membership organization with representation from system owners, operators, host cities, equipment manufacturers, and technology and service providers.