3 minute read
Micro Mobility
Now, more important than ever, is the time to focus on micro-mobility, a mode of transport that focuses on mobility for short distances. With increased population densities, more cars on the road (and therefore increased requirements for parking), and generally a more time-poor community, people are increasingly leaving their cars at home, exploring any and every other way of getting where they need to be as quick as virtually possible. Mahmoud Habboub, Director of Smart Mobility, Careem, provides insights on how micro-mobility is becoming the new trend for commuters across the Middle East and the globe and how partnerships are critical to solving the mobility needs to benefit the community as a whole.
The concept of commuting through planes, trains and automobiles has drastically evolved. Now, the simple act of commuting includes helicopters, pedal-assisted bikes, electric scooters, ride-share services, e-cars, fully-electric trams and metros, and more. Companies, old and new, not only have to adapt, but also innovate to ensure they’re not just acknowledging new ways of transportation but innovating themselves while working them into their platforms and strategies.
At Careem, we are focusing on something called micro-mobility; a mode of transport that is focused on mobility for short distances. With increased population densities, more cars on the road (and therefore increased requirements for parking), and generally a more time-poor community, people are increasingly leaving their cars at home, exploring any and every other way of getting where they need to be as quick as virtually possible.
Usually, micro-mobility is provided by very light vehicles such as docked public bikesharing, scooters and on-demand shuttles for communities that are focused on short distances within a community. As electric mobility scales in the next five years and becomes the dominant form of transport, electrified mobility will have a transformative effect on our lives, from cleaner and less polluted air, quieter environments, and more efficient and sustainable transport.
Global cities, local mobility
Cities globally are increasingly focused on micro-mobility, and this can be seen in the likes of New York, Toronto, London, Barcelona, and now Dubai, where micro-mobility, like public bike-share, is an important part of the city landscape. Within Careem’s super app strategy, we’ve already started exploring how we can expand our ride-share service to tackle micro-mobility at the offset. By partnering with cities, transport regulators, and governments, and by supporting public transport, Careem will be able to cover the different needs of commuters, making these services affordable to all sectors of the population. For example, their first and last mile needs to mass transport.
These innovations will create less congestion and polluted cities. Furthermore, they will be more equitable where deployed, improving livability within communities and hence the cities themselves. In the UAE, Careem work closely with government entities to work on a cohesive stride forward and have partnered with DMCC, Emaar, TECOM and the RTA to ensure we work towards the goal of wider city access. These partnerships are critical to solving the mobility needs of people successfully and for the benefit of the community as a whole.
Community living
Our lives are dominated by our communities. Where we live, work and go out to entertain ourselves can all be spread across multiple neighbourhoods. Yet it can be difficult to move around and use mobility services within these communities. The reason being, most transportation services are focused on covering long distances; they are expensive and not tailored for these mobility needs.
With this in mind, Careem intends to provide dedicated mobility services to these communities, either through personal mobility devices, like bikes, scooters, or dedicated on-demand shuttles within communities.
So, the next time you’re commuting, think not only of the inconveniences but the opportunities available. Careem is continuing to contribute to the evolution of the commuting landscape, and there are many ways to get to point B. n
(Careem is the leading internet platform in the greater Middle East. A pioneer of the region’s ride-hailing economy, Careem is expanding services across its platform to include mass transportation, deliveries and payments. Established in July 2012, Careem operates in more than 100 cities across 14 countries.)
