Opinion: How Micromobility Operators Can Stay Relevant

In an op-ed in Smart Cities Dive, Candice Xie, co-founder and CEO of mobility operator Veo, describes what she believes the micromobility industry should do to ensure its effective participation in the future of transportation. 

According to Xie, "With the micromobility industry’s track record of bankruptcies, buyouts, and layoffs, cities need to know whether they can count on the industry to help achieve their ambitious transportation goals." Rather than the combative approach many shared mobility operators took in the industry's early days, Xie argues that micromobility companies should position themselves as effective partners to cities having to "make tough decisions about how to allocate limited street space with limited resources."

Xie's five recommendations for micromobility operators:

1. Become financially resilient
2. Make micromobility work for everyone
3. Align with cities’ climate goals
4. Foster partnerships that last
5. Advocate for safer streets

"Micromobility has great potential to help transform our cities for the better — and decision-makers will recognize that if our industry takes the steps to set itself up for long-term success," asserts Xie. Operators must prove they can offer a financially viable, safe, equitable, and efficient transportation option that works with, not against, existing and future transit systems and infrastructure.