Micromobility

Micromobility encompasses shared and personal electric scooters, e-bikes, and other small electric vehicles for short-distance urban transportation. The sector experienced a dramatic boom-bust-recovery cycle: the scooter-sharing explosion of 2017-2019 (Bird, Lime), the profitability crisis of 2020-2023 (Bird delisted, valuations collapsed), and the current reality where personal e-bikes are the category's commercial winner while shared services stabilize under more sustainable economics.

Personal e-bike sales now dramatically exceed shared micromobility revenue globally, with the European e-bike market alone exceeding $25 billion. Companies like Rad Power Bikes, VanMoof (restructured), Cowboy, and dozens of manufacturers serve the growing demand for electric-assisted cycling that replaces car trips for commutes, errands, and recreation. The e-bike subsidy programs in Europe (France, Germany, Italy) and some US cities have accelerated adoption by reducing the $1,000-5,000 purchase price.

Shared micromobility has consolidated around Lime (which acquired Jump from Uber and PBSC for bike-share), Tier (Europe), and a handful of regional operators. The business model has improved through higher pricing, better fleet management, and integration with public transit systems. But the fundamental challenge remains: shared vehicles in public spaces face vandalism, theft, regulatory restrictions, and operational costs that make per-trip profitability difficult.

For founders in 2026, the micromobility opportunity has shifted from shared fleet operations (capital-intensive, regulation-dependent) to the technology and infrastructure layer: battery technology and swapping systems, fleet management software for operators, city infrastructure (bike lanes, parking, charging), e-cargo bikes for last-mile delivery, and the integration of micromobility into broader mobility-as-a-service platforms.