7th DACH City Symposium – Spotlight on Promoting Cycling
Dec 6, 2024
On December 5, 2024, Voi hosted the 7th Urban Micromobility Symposium, with a focus on bicycle promotion. The event offered a platform for interdisciplinary exchange on innovative approaches and current developments in micromobility.
Dr. Claus Doll: The Potential of Bicycles in Traffic-Reduced Cities
Dr. Claus Doll from the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) presented a comprehensive analysis of the potential of bicycle traffic. Using a new forecasting model, he evaluated pathways, person-kilometers, and emission savings up to 2035 under various scenarios. The key finding: under ideal conditions, the share of bicycle traffic could increase significantly, reaching up to 63% in regiopolitan areas.
Dr. Doll outlined three key components for achieving the vision of "Bicycle Nation Germany 2035":
- Inviting infrastructure with a tripling of bike lanes.
- Integration into the multimodal transportation system, such as better linkage with public transit.
- Bicycle-friendly municipalities that redesign public spaces to favor active mobility.
He also emphasized the climate protection potential: consistent implementation could result in a reduction of 19 million tons of CO₂ by 2035.
Dr. Florian Paul: Bicycle Promotion in Munich – Current Status and Outlook
Dr. Florian Paul, Bicycle Traffic Coordinator for the City of Munich, provided an update on the status and strategic goals for bicycle promotion. The share of bicycle traffic in Munich grew by 65% between 2016 and 2023, driven by initiatives such as the Radentscheid.
Key projects include:
- Altstadt-Radlring: A central initiative to strengthen bicycle traffic in Munich's city center.
- Bicycle highways: The expansion of regional cycling routes.
- Bicycle streets: 95 dedicated streets enhancing safety and comfort for cyclists.
Dr. Paul acknowledged that expanding infrastructure often leads to space conflicts. However, the Vision Zero initiative and stronger integration of cycling into Munich's transport policy are essential for achieving a successful mobility transition.
Ediz Rehberg: Global User Survey 2024 – How Voi Users Utilize Micromobility
Finally, Ediz Rehberg, Public Policy Manager at Voi, presented the results of the 2024 Global User Survey. The findings highlight that micromobility is becoming a regular part of daily mobility routines.
Key insights:
- Shared micromobility is becoming mainstream: the proportion of users over 45 years old has risen by 8% since 2022, reaching 25.6%.
- 47% of respondents reported that micromobility has reduced their car usage.
- Shared e-bikes and scooters are increasingly used for commuting, with "rides for fun" now making up less than 20% compared to over 40% in 2021.
Rehberg emphasized that shared e-scooters and bicycles not only fill gaps in public transport but also contribute to CO₂ reduction. The survey underscores the potential of micromobility as part of a multimodal transportation system.
Watch the Full Recording
The complete recording of the 7th Urban Micromobility Symposium is available here. We thank all participants and look forward to the next symposium in spring 2025!
