In 2016, former Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed an executive order aiming to prevent all traffic-related deaths by 2030. This year, Mayor Cherelle Parker reignited this commitment, albeit moving the goal posts to 2050. Despite some road improvements locally, including new speed limit signing, bike network curb separation and other measures, there were 126 traffic deaths in Philadelphia in 2023—the same number as 2022.
How has the rise of scooters, e-bikes and other forms of micromobility globally and nationally, where ridership is up 16% in US cities in 2023, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials — created challenges and opportunities for Philadelphia and other cities to make wise investments for safer streets?
Below, Alex Quistberg, PhD, an associate research professor in the Dornsife School of Public Health and the Urban Health Collaborative, shared how cities should invest in infrastructure and promote other safety measures to adapt to the growth of micromobility and why he prefers travel via cycling, despite current risks. Quistberg also outlined these takeaways in greater detail in an editorial published today in the American Journal of Public Health and in a recently published article in The Conversation.
What is micromobility and why did you decide to study it?
Micromobility are forms of transportation that are smaller, wheeled vehicles meant for lower speeds and shorter distances, like bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc., that are human-powered or electric. These could be privately owned vehicles or shared systems. Their potential for making transportation more sustainable, particularly in urban areas, is immense by replacing shorter trips (less than 6 miles) taking place in motor vehicles. They also offer health benefits to their users by increasing physical activity, which is associated with lower risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and other risks factors.
In my research I focus on the safety of pedestrians, as well as users of micromobility, primarily by examining road infrastructure risks and road safety policies. Making roads safer for pedestrians and micromobility users makes roads safer for everyone. I became interested in this topic because everyone is a pedestrian at some point, but most roads in the U.S. or in many low and middle-income countries are not designed well to accommodate them or promote those modes. Micromobility and public transportation benefit from improving pedestrian safety and have important health impacts. I also like the challenge studying pedestrian safety. It requires collaboration with other disciplines, like urban planning, engineering and medicine.
How risky is micromobility travel?
Most people using these modes have a low risk of experiencing a crash or injury on an average trip, though this varies by many factors such as the city, neighborhood or route taken, road type, presence of bicycle infrastructure, the time of day, volume of traffic, speed of motor vehicle traffic and other factors. In 2022, there were 404 bicyclist deaths per billion miles ridden, which is similar to pedestrian deaths rates per miles walked (414). But it is much higher than the rate for motor vehicle occupants at 11.8 deaths per billion miles driven and even motorcyclists at 261.8.
I ride a bike whenever I can; I enjoy the exercise and flexibility it offers, as well as the chance to see a city up close. I often take my bike helmet with me on trips so I can use shared bike systems where I am heading, which offers a great way of also seeing new places. While you cannot eliminate all risk as a cyclist, choosing routes with protected bicycle infrastructure can help reduce risk.
What are a few ways that local governments can support micromobility’s growth and promote safer travel for all?
The main thing cities can do is invest in infrastructure dedicated to micromobility modes, especially protected bike lanes. Those should be on every arterial road in urban areas. Reducing motor vehicle speed via road design, policy and enforcement is also important. Slowing motorists increases the time they have to see micromobility users, increases their braking time and can decrease the severity of any crashes when they happen. Incentivizing alternatives to driving is also important, such as public transport and micromobility modes, to reduce the chances of crashes between motorists and micromobility users.
You make an economic case in your AJPH editorial for supporting these forms of travel. How can micromobility save money on both the individual and governmental level?
Transportation is typically the second biggest monthly expense for U.S. households, after housing at 16%, mostly due to car-dependent infrastructure in the U.S. that requires motor vehicle ownership. Motor vehicle ownership is very expensive for individuals or households at about $1,000 per month, which includes the cost of the motor vehicle, insurance, licensing and registration, fuel and maintenance. This does not include parking fees or other use costs, like tolls. There are also public costs for motor vehicles that include road and highway construction and maintenance, long-term health effects from injuries, pollution, noise, sedentary lifestyles, congestion, land-use dedicated to parking vehicles and other external costs to public entities.
Building infrastructure to support micromobility can help households and governments save money if it shifts people to those modes. An additional component to consider is ensuring households can live close to where they work, go to school and have other activities to reduce the need for a car by developing mixed use housing that is near public transportation and micromobility infrastructure. The cost of ownership of a traditional bicycle or e-bike is substantially lower than motor vehicle ownership, as well as public transportation. This requires a change of mindset of both households and governments about the feasibility of micromobility for transportation in different types of weather conditions, purposes and safety, which can be helped with better infrastructure as noted in the American Journal of Public Health piece.
What can micromobility users do with safety in mind?
While most of micromobility user safety depends on good road infrastructure, there are some things that we can do to make our rides are somewhat safer. Wearing a helmet is very important to reduce the chance of head injuries, and for those on e-bikes or e-scooters the helmet should be rated for higher speeds. Just as with driving a motor vehicle, you should not ride a bike or scooter under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you do need to use sidewalks or shared trails with pedestrians or other micromobility users, I recommend slowing down and being aware of those other users. I also personally try to follow road traffic rules, though many argue that it may not be the safest option for micromobility users since those laws and traffic lights are really made for motorists and motor vehicles (e.g., the Idaho stop).
In general, I would also say trying to be familiar with your route and the hazards that it might present. If you are in a sharrow or unprotected bike lane, being very aware of motorists around you is very important, but you cannot control their behaviors or if they will notice you. If those bike lanes are next to parked vehicles, then being cautious and anticipating for opening car doors, drivers pulling in and out of parking spaces, as well as driveways can potentially help keep you safe. Even in protected bike lanes, you are still at risk of being struck by drivers at intersections, depending on the intersection design. Being careful around large trucks as they often have very limited sightlines may also help reduce the chance of a crash. I also like to wear reflective material, like a jacket, as well as bright lights at night, though you cannot control whether a driver will see you or not since they may be distracted on their phone or otherwise.
Reporters interested in speaking with Quistberg should contact Greg Richter, assistant director of News & Media Relations, at gdr33@drexel.edu or 215.895.2614.
