New Data Reveals Shared Mobility's Significant Impact on Emissions

Two new studies show that the adoption of shared micromobility can reduce transportation-related emissions and congestion by substantial margins.

2 minute read

November 9, 2022, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Coronavirus and Lime

Vlad Ispas / Shutterstock

New research shows that micromobility can reduce transportation emissions by wider margins than previously thought. Kea Wilson outlines the results of two new studies in an article for Streetsblog USA.

“The first study, conducted by academics at the Georgia Institute of Technology, found that travel times in Atlanta swelled an estimated 9 to 11 percent as a result of the city’s controversial 2019 decision to ban the modes after dark after drivers killed four riders.” During sporting events, that number shot up to 37 percent. A second report from Germany reveals that greenhouse gas emissions decreased as a result of shared micromobility adoption in six global cities. “That’s even accounting for the fact that some of those riders said they wouldn’t have made those trips at all if Lime wasn’t available — as well as the fact that others admitted to trading a comparatively greener walking, transit, or non-electric bike journey for a ride on an electric-assist mode.”

Taken together, Lime says the two studies are proof positive that cities are underestimating how critical micromobility is to their residents — and their collective climate future.

Wilson includes two caveats: the Atlanta study only had a few sporting events during the study period, and the German study was funded by Lime, a shared micromobility operator with an obvious stake in proving the benefits of the mode. Using data from just one operator also means that these studies do not necessarily reflect industry-wide trends.

Nevertheless, not all benefits of shared mobility are easily quantifiable. Wilson provides one such example: “Because even if a scooter trip does replace a walking trip, that doesn’t meant that it didn’t make someone feel safer getting home from a bus stop at night — and in the long run, give her a clean alternative to the park-and-ride.”

Friday, November 4, 2022 in Streetsblog USA

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Floor-to-ceiling rotating gates at Fairmount subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems

SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

4 hours ago - Mass Transit

South LA Wetlands Park in Los Angeles, California.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope

Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

5 hours ago - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Intersection in downtown Sacramento, California with neoclassical building with columns on left.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects

The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.

6 hours ago - The Sacramento Bee