A Test Ride for Mobility Hubs

Offering multiple, non-automobile options for transportation in one place is the idea behind mobility hubs. The city of Minneapolis is now testing the concept at four locations.

1 minute read

October 1, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Tim Harlow reports on a new pilot program to launch mobility hubs around the city of Minneapolis. Goals of the program include such lofty aspirations of decreasing driving and carbon emissions while increasing use of alternative transportation modes like transit, walking, and biking.

The new mobility hubs offer several alternative transportation options in one location, according to Harlow: "Each one has a bus stop, a bench and parking for Nice Ride bicycles and scooters that can be checked out by smartphone app."

The city opened four such mobility hubs around north Minneapolis in September, using funding supplied by the Bloomberg Philanthropies' American Cities Climate Challenge.

"As part of the pilot, city staff and representatives from the bike and scooter companies have been on site to show people how to access and use alternative transportation modes, and 'getting people to understand what we are doing here,' [Josh Johnson, the city’s advanced mobility manager,] said. The hubs also feature colorful signs with directions and travel time by mode to nearby destinations."

Hat tip to Katie Pyzyk for sharing news of the mobility hubs pilot program and for providing additional context on the mobility hubs concept.

Sunday, September 29, 2019 in Star Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today