Planning for the Future of E-Micromobility

 

How planners and policymakers can adapt to the rapid growth of e-bike and e-scooter use.
December 2, 2025 • 1 minute read
MetroPlan Orlando white paper on e-micromobility

Planning for the Future of E-Micromobility

 

How planners and policymakers can adapt to the rapid growth of e-bike and e-scooter use.
December 2, 2025 • 1 minute read

E-bikes and e-scooters have encouraged many people to change the way they travel, with children and older riders alike embracing two-wheeled devices.

But these “e-micromobility” travel options also bring new challenges. Jurisdictions across the US struggle with inconsistent regulations, greater safety risks for riders, and constrained bike facilities that aren’t well suited to higher-speed devices.

Rapid growth only compounds these challenges. E-bike sales in the US nearly quadrupled from 2019 to 2022 alone, and they continue to grow in popularity.

Exploring Solutions to Common Challenges

We’ve been analyzing the evolution of e-micromobility for a while now. And in all of the areas we serve, similar questions and concerns arise:

  • Confusion around the different device classifications
  • Concerns about youth inexperience regarding rules of the road
  • Risks from speed differences on shared-use paths and bike facilities
In 2025, we created two new resources that recommend solutions to these challenges:

ITE Quick Bite Report

Considerations for E-Bikes in Policy, Planning, and Design gives agencies clear guidance on e-bike regulations and classifications, offers recommendations for incorporating e-bikes into transportation plans, and outlines design considerations for bikeways that accommodate a wider range of speeds, devices, and rider needs.

E-Micromobility White Paper

We helped MetroPlan Orlando develop E-Micromobility: A Primer for Florida Transportation Professionals and Policymakers. This white paper offers policy and planning recommendations from Florida and across the nation to help agencies prepare for the continued growth of e-micromobility.

We are constantly exploring ways to help our clients adjust to change, with the shared goal of safety and mobility for all. Contact us if you need help preparing for the future of e-micromobility!

share this article

Contributors

Headshot of staff member Natalie Chyba

Natalie Chyba, PE

Senior Associate

Email Me

Staff photo of Angelica Rocha

Angelica Rocha, AICP

Senior Transportation Planner

Email Me

Explore More

Demand Management Is Injury Prevention

Demand Management Is Injury Prevention

New research shows that reducing driving exposure may be one of the most powerful safety strategies available. The findings connect VMT, mode share, and travel time to fatality rates, reframing demand management as injury prevention.

Announcing Safety Multipliers

Announcing Safety Multipliers

What do San Francisco’s Van Ness BRT, New York’s congestion pricing, and Arlington’s intersection program have in common? Each pulls all three Safe System levers at once. We call that pattern a safety multiplier.

The City That Knows How to Say Yes

The City That Knows How to Say Yes

What does it take for a city to say “yes” without giving up control? This perspective argues for a conditional, public-minded yes, one grounded in clear standards, evidence, and measurable outcomes, with AVs as one example of a much broader governance challenge.