TNJ Sustainability & Resilience Toolkit: Sustainability Solutions
Micro-Mobility
Reducing the amount that people drive, especially in single-occupancy vehicles, is a critical sustainability goal. Beyond encouraging adoption of electric vehicles, counties and municipalities should take measures to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) (a measure of the amount of travel for all vehicles in a geographic area). One rapidly emerging solution is micro-mobility, a catch-all term for light duty vehicles such as bikes and scooters. Micro-mobility programs aim to replace short car trips with docked and dockless bikeshare systems, electric bikes and electric scooters, typically accessed through a smart phone app or other connected device. Micro-mobility options have become increasingly popular and accessible in New Jersey communities. Micro-mobility provides an inexpensive and efficient alternative to driving that reduces air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion. The use of active transportation modes, like bicycling, can improve health outcomes. Micro-mobility encourages transit use by providing first mile/last mile connections to and from transit. Implementing complete streets helps ensure safety, comfort and convenience for micro-mobility users.
Related TNJ Plan Focus Areas
Focus Area 6: Create vibrant places and neighborhoods that will attract and retain residents, workers and visitors
Focus Area 7: Connect people and places with safe, convenient and reliable transportation
Focus Area 12: Improve health outcomes for our region’s residents
Implementation Strategies
Design efficient, safe and equitable programs
Design efficient, safe and equitable programs
Proactively plan and regulate deployment and use of micro-mobility services to enhance benefits and safety.
Work with property owners
Work with property owners
Modify development ordinances and work with developers and property owners to provide micro-mobility amenities.
Locate micro-mobility facilities at or near transit
Locate micro-mobility facilities at or near transit
Provide micro-mobility services at or near transit stops and stations to encourage transit use.