McKinsey Center for Future Mobility

Why micromobility is
here to stay
A new McKinsey survey suggests that consumers are open to
micromobility solutions, but uptake will vary by country.

by Kersten Heineke, Benedikt Kloss, Felix Rupalla, and Darius Scurtu

© Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

December 2021
 If you could ride a bicycle, moped, or e-kickscooter was highest in countries with a long tradition of
to work, would you do so? Respondents in the micromobility, such as Italy (81 percent) and China
Mobility Ownership Consumer Survey, conducted (86 percent). At the other end of the spectrum, only
by the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility in 60 percent of US respondents said they would
July 2021, were enthusiastic about these options, consider micromobility, perhaps because they have
with almost 70 percent stating that they were traditionally relied on private cars or public
willing to use micromobility vehicles for their transportation for their commutes, and the sight of
commute (exhibit).1 (Bicycles and mopeds could be someone weaving through traffic on a moped or
traditional or electric.) These findings suggest that scooter is relatively rare.
a growing number of workers may gravitate toward
smaller, more environmentally friendly forms of Overall, survey respondents preferred bicycles, which
transport as pandemic restrictions lift and offices offer a longer range and better storage space
reopen. They are in line with our previous research than e-kickscooters and a lower price than mopeds.
in 2020, which suggested that micromobility A few exceptions were apparent, however. For
was poised to make a strong comeback when the instance, mopeds are particularly popular in China,
COVID-19 pandemic abated and people began where authorities do not require drivers to have
traveling more. a license or insurance coverage for vehicles with a
maximum speed of 25 kilometers/hour. Respondents
Our survey also revealed that micromobility uptake in the United Kingdom and China were the most
will be far from uniform because of location- reluctant users of e-kickscooters, possibly because
specific factors. The willingness to use small vehicles those countries either banned those vehicles

Web 2021
Micromobility
Exhibit
Exhibit 1 of 1

In our
oursurvey,
survey,almost
almost 70
70 percent of respondents
respondentsstated
statedthat
thatthey
theywere
werewilling
willingto
to use micromobility for their daily commute.
use micromobility for their daily commute.
Preferred micromobility vehicle for commuting, by country, % of respondents¹
Bicycle (electric or traditional) Moped (electric or traditional) E-kickscooter
Prefer other forms of transport/do not wish to use micromobility²

Global 40 16 12 31

China 49 31 6 14

Italy 49 19 13 19

France 41 10 18 31

Germany 42 10 13 34

US 32 15 13 40

UK 32 13 10 46

¹ Question: “What type of micromobility vehicle would you prefer for your daily commute trips?” If respondents selected a type of micromobility vehicle, it was
inferred that they were willing to use this form of transport for commuting. The survey included more than 6,000 respondents aged 18 to 65 who used mobility
options at least once a day. Figures may not sum to 100%, because of rounding.
² Other forms of transport included walking or riding in a private car.
Source: McKinsey Mobility Ownership Consumer Survey, July 2021

1
The survey included 6,000 respondents from China, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

2 Why micromobility is here to stay

because of safety concerns or only recently approved — Charging and parking operators. This group can
them. By contrast, consumers in the United States, offer charging and parking solutions suitable
France, and Germany, which have established for several micromobility modes. In addition to
sharing systems, were more open to e-kickscooters. increasing demand for their facilities, a
This trend is unsurprising, since any vehicle that is comprehensive approach will help cities minimize
readily available through a sharing service tends to the number of vehicles parked on streets and
experience an uptick in private purchases. optimize micromobility usage.

The findings from our survey have implications for — Public-transit operators. To enable seamless,
players across the micromobility ecosystem and for point-to-point journeys, public-transit operators
their prospects for success: can provide dedicated space in buses or
trains to store various micromobility vehicles.
— Shared-mobility providers. Given that This strategy will also help increase the
micromobility preferences vary by geography, customer base for both public-transit and
shared-mobility providers must understand micromobility operators.
local transportation habits for any city or region
in which they wish to operate. Generally, — Cities. When selecting a provider for shared
providers first pick the cities in which they want micromobility services, cities should favor
to operate and then examine local preferences businesses that have a broad product portfolio
to determine what modes of transport will be in and truly understand the local mobility needs.
greatest demand. At some point, they may They can also promote the growth of
expand their product portfolios—for instance, micromobility by installing riding, parking, and
adding mopeds to the bicycle options—in charging infrastructure that integrates several
certain locations. While this expansion could win micromobility modes and also facilitates transport
new business, their capital expenditures will rise. for pedestrians and other travelers. Regulators
A combined fleet, in which vehicles have different can help by creating safe mobility corridors for all
maintenance requirements, charging needs, forms of transport. First, however, they must
and life cycles, will also increase strategic and ensure that they have public support from anyone
operational demands. who regularly travels to their location.

Kersten Heineke is a partner in McKinsey’s Frankfurt office, where Benedikt Kloss is an associate partner; Felix Rupalla is a
solution manager in the Stuttgart office; and Darius Scurtu is a solution analyst in the Munich office.

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