The built environment impacts and requirements of micro-mobility : a systematic review of international literature

Recent innovations in business models and technology have brought out
new mobility systems, including shared and electric micro-mobility. A rapidly
expanding strand of literature mirrors the micro-mobility’s exponential growth and popularity. While many studies analyze micro-mobility from operations, management and user perspectives, fewer works investigate the micro-mobility and built environment (BE) relationship. This paper systematically reviews the descriptive and empirical studies that investigate this relationship. It analyzes whether, similar to other transportation modes, micro-mobility (i.e., bike-sharing schemes and e-bikes/escooters) has an impact on the BE’s urban design, land use and transportation system aspects. Furthermore, it outlines the recommended changes in the BE to support the micro-mobility and/or enhances the quality of the environment for non-users. The BE impacts and requirements are investigated at the levels of node (e.g. the emergence of docking stations and parking stops), link (e.g. the street-level conflicts with walking/cycling/vehicle lanes) and network (e.g. stimulating infrastructure network creation and catchment area shifts). The findings are relevant for urban and transport planners, designers, researchers, policy makers and public authorities. They contribute to the much-needed evidence base for effective design and policy recommendations to accommodate micro-mobility in the BE, to achieve a safe and inclusive public space.