European Commission’s Expert Group Shared Mobility Guidelines and Greater Copenhagen’s example

As cities across Europe continue to grow and evolve, the need for sustainable and efficient transportation systems becomes ever more critical. New innovative mobility solutions and public spaces management appear as a possible solution to these needs, specially in rural/peri-urban areas. 

The European Commission’s Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) has adopted a new set of recommendations on complementing public transport with shared mobility, and on using the Social Climate Fund to support public transport. DG MOVE,  the Commission’s  department responsible for EU policy on mobility and transport set this reformed platform for dialogue and the co-creation of actions to implement the new 2021 EU urban mobility framework. These recommendations also include different guidelines focusing on the future of public transport and inclusive and sustainable urban space, urban vehicle access regulations, and more.

As stated in the document and following the same line as ShareDiMobiHub, shared mobility has potential for everyday journeys. But first, it must be combined with public transport to offer a credible and effective alternative to the private car. The expert group’s recommendations cover infrastructure, safety and the redistribution of public spaces, the digital integration of transport data and multimodality, among other topics. Resonating with our project, the Expert Group highlights the necessity of making shared mobility hubs more attractive, as well as the potential of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS) to enable visibility of the hubs and availability of services at these centres. 

These document not only presents the support at European level of ShareDiMobiHub at European level, which we warmly welcome, but also refers to the action of one of our partners in this regards, the Capital Region of Denmark.

Our project partner, Capital Region of Denmark region, has exemplified the successful integration of shared mobility and public transport within these recommendations. A notable example is the partnership between Danish National Railways (DSB) and Donkey Republic. This collaboration has seamlessly connected train stations with workplaces in the peri-urban area of Ballerup, offering commuters efficient and eco-friendly transportation options. For this, the collaboration involved a separate app for user interaction. However, through iterative improvements, it was determined that utilizing the existing bike-share provider's app directly offered a more streamlined user experience. 

Challenges

One significant challenge is the infrastructure and space allocation. The current urban road networks prioritize cars, which hinders the development of shared mobility. There is a need for a balanced sharing of public spaces between all modes of transport. Existing infrastructure also needs adaptation to better accommodate shared mobility services. This includes creating dedicated lanes and parking spaces for shared vehicles and ensuring access to public transport stops with bike racks and lockers.

Integration with public transport presents another critical challenge. Shared mobility services should complement rather than replace public transport. This requires seamless integration into urban planning and transport systems to ensure accessibility and coverage. Effective integration also hinges on establishing trusted data-sharing policies to combine information, booking, ticketing, and payment systems.

Economic and business models are another area of concern. Sustainable and reliable business models for shared mobility services are essential. In areas where commercial viability is low, public contracting may be necessary to ensure these services can complement public transport effectively.

Safety and inclusion are significant concerns. Shared mobility services, especially micromobility options like e-bikes and e-scooters, present safety risks that need to be managed, primarily from motorized traffic. Ensuring these services cater to all passengers, including women, children, the elderly, and individuals with reduced mobility, is crucial. This includes addressing physical accessibility and safety concerns.

The integration of technology and addressing the digital divide are key challenges. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) concepts can facilitate the integration of shared mobility with public transport, but this requires effective data sharing and technological solutions. Efforts must be made to provide access to mobility services for individuals lacking digital resources, ensuring equal access to information and services for all segments of society.

Recommendations

To address these challenges, the Expert Group provides several recommendations:

Policy Recommendations:

• Complementarity and Integration: Authorities should design policies that ensure shared mobility complements public transport. This involves integrating shared mobility into urban development and transport planning.
• Strategic Planning: Long-term planning and investment are necessary for the stable integration of shared mobility into the transport system.

Infrastructure Recommendations:

• Public Space Redistribution: Urban development should include dedicated infrastructure for shared mobility, cycling, and walking. Multimodal hubs should be established to facilitate easy access to various forms of transport.
• Adapting Rolling Stock: Public transport vehicles should be adapted to accommodate shared mobility options, such as spaces for bikes and scooters.

Integration Recommendations:

• Urban Development Projects: Local authorities should integrate shared mobility solutions into new construction projects through specific planning rules and partnerships.
• Multimodal Hubs: Attractive multimodal hubs should be developed in both urban and rural areas to encourage the use of shared mobility services.

Safety and Inclusion:

• Safety Measures: Local and regional authorities should prioritize high-quality active mobility infrastructure and launch communication campaigns to raise awareness about road sharing.
• Inclusive Design: Shared mobility services should be designed to meet the needs of diverse user groups, including those with reduced mobility.

The potential of shared mobility lies in its ability to complement traditional public transport, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and sustainability of urban and rural mobility systems. Shared mobility can significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the use of less polluting modes of transportation. By integrating shared mobility with public transport, there can be a shift from private car use to more sustainable options, particularly in suburban and rural areas where journey emissions are typically higher.

It addresses urban sprawl and congestion by providing a flexible alternative to private car ownership, essential in combating the negative effects of urban sprawl and congestion. Shared mobility offers a viable solution for first and last-mile connectivity, encouraging the use of public transport for the main part of the journey. 

Shared mobility can increase vehicle occupancy rates by promoting ride-sharing and carpooling, making transportation more efficient and reducing the number of vehicles on the road. It facilitates a multimodal transport system, integrating various modes of transport into a seamless network, offering more efficient and flexible transportation options. Supporting sustainable urban development, shared mobility, when integrated with urban planning initiatives, can lead to the development of sustainable, polycentric cities, promoting the use of environmentally friendly transportation options and supporting the creation of compact, mixed-use urban areas.

It encourages active transport modes, like bike-sharing and e-scooters, which have additional health benefits and reduce dependency on motorized transport. Shared mobility services can be economically viable and dependable if integrated with clear strategic considerations and supported by public policies. In areas where commercial viability is low, public contracting can ensure these services remain a part of the transport ecosystem.

By providing affordable and accessible transportation options, shared mobility promotes social inclusion, ensuring all individuals, regardless of their economic status or location, have access to reliable transportation. Technological advancements and the integration of shared mobility services into Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms can enhance the user experience by providing real-time information, seamless booking, and payment systems, making shared mobility more attractive and convenient

The Sharedimobihub project exemplifies the critical role of integrating shared mobility hubs to enhance urban and rural transportation systems across the North Sea Region and all over Europe. As urban areas continue to expand, the demand for sustainable and efficient mobility solutions becomes increasingly pressing. The recent recommendations from the European Commission's Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) align seamlessly with the project's objectives, underscoring the importance of complementing public transport with shared mobility.

The Greater Copenhagen region's success in integrating shared mobility with public transport provides a model of best practices, demonstrating the potential for efficient, eco-friendly transportation options. However, addressing the challenges identified by EGUM—such as infrastructure adaptation, seamless integration with public transport, developing sustainable business models, ensuring safety and inclusivity, and bridging the digital divide—is crucial for replicating such success across Europe.

The EGUM's recommendations provide a roadmap for overcoming these challenges. Policy initiatives should focus on the complementarity and integration of shared mobility with public transport, supported by strategic long-term planning. Infrastructure development must prioritize the redistribution of public spaces and the adaptation of public transport vehicles to accommodate shared mobility options. Furthermore, the creation of attractive multimodal hubs, especially in rural and peri-urban areas, is essential to encourage the use of shared mobility services. At the same time, we should not forget about the Social Climate Fund report by this group of experts and its contribution to mobility, including shared mobility. This fund should be used to fund the expansion of public transport services as mobility backbone to ensure that public transport, sustainable mobility on demand, shared mobility services and active mobility options are available to everyone and are an option for vulnerable citizens.