What Does It Take to Fully Integrate Shared Mobility Services into Our Neighbourhoods?

As cities worldwide grapple with congestion, pollution, and the demands of a growing population, shared mobility is quickly rising to the forefront of urban transportation discussions. Services such as car sharing, bike sharing, and electric scooters are not just convenient—they’re crucial for creating sustainable, vibrant communities. 

Research shows that shared mobility can significantly impact personal transportation choices: 10% of bikeshare users reported that access to bikeshare influenced them to delay the purchase of a household vehicle, while 3% indicated that they sold or got rid of their household vehicle due in part or wholly to their use of bikeshare. In 2023, 37% of shared micromobility trips replaced car trips—and in densely populated areas, round-trip carsharing can replace 9 to 13 private vehicles on the streets, freeing up parking spaces and allowing for urban redesign that prioritizes economic activities and alternative transport options.

At movmi, we’re on a mission to make shared mobility a core component of urban living. So, how do we ensure these services seamlessly integrate into our neighbourhoods?

The Value of Shared Mobility

Shared mobility is a game changer for cities. These services help reduce the number of cars on the road, alleviating congestion and lowering emissions. Not only do they provide flexible transportation options that meet diverse needs—whether it’s a quick trip to the grocery store or a weekend adventure—they help foster community connections, encouraging residents to share resources and collaborate on navigating their urban environment.

However, for shared mobility to thrive, cities need to invest in the right infrastructure and supportive policies. This includes improving physical spaces—such as parking and charging stations—and creating a robust digital ecosystem that makes it easy for users to access and utilize various transportation modes. When municipalities, transportation authorities, and service providers come together, they build a cohesive ecosystem that works for everyone.

“Shared mobility works only when it is planned to meet all stakeholders’ objectives—for operators, municipalities, infrastructure providers, and other location partners.”
— Venkatesh Gopal, CEO, movmi

Integrating Shared Mobility into Our Neighbourhoods

To tap into the full potential of shared mobility, we need a dual approach—digital and physical integration.

Digital Integration

Digitally, we can leverage solutions such as  Mobility as a Service (MaaS), which combines various transportation services into a single user-friendly platform.

Take the multimodal app RideLink in Metro Vancouver, which is a prime example of what’s possible. This app allows users to navigate their transportation options, integrating car sharing, bike sharing, public transit, and more—all in one convenient interface. Users can compare transport modes, check real-time availability, and make informed travel decisions. 

Notably, the 2019-2020 Shared Mobility Compass Card Pilot—the first phase of RideLink—showed that integrating services through a transit fare card led to significant behaviour change: 30% of users tried a new mode, and 60% replaced personal vehicle use with shared mobility. Simplifying the experience encourages more people to choose shared mobility over personal vehicle ownership, shifting how we think about transportation.

Another example is DRIVE, a pilot by the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). This station-based, fully electrified car-sharing service engaged 400 active members this year, deploying a fleet of six EVs across strategically selected locations. Thoughtful planning like this enhances accessibility and promotes the adoption of electric vehicles.

Physical Integration

On the physical front, mobility hubs are essential. These hubs act as community crossroads, where various transportation modes—bikes, cars, buses, and walking paths—converge. By strategically placing these hubs, we facilitate easier transitions between transport modes, encouraging shared mobility.

The Neighbourhood Mobility Station (NMS) is a model designed to support sustainable, mobility-centered neighborhoods. These stations integrate shared mobility services with amenities that promote active transportation. For developers, they offer millions in cost savings by reducing parking minimums. With proper initial funding, these stations become self-sustaining assets in the shared mobility network across cities.

“Building sustainable mobility solutions must account for the economic sustainability of all services involved. Without it, services do not find it feasible to operate, and end users cannot reliably change their mobility behaviours.”
— Venkatesh Gopal, CEO, movmi

Challenges in Integration

While the benefits of shared mobility are clear, several challenges remain:

• Policy Coordination: Many municipalities operate in silos, limiting collaboration between public transportation authorities and mobility service providers, which can lead to inconsistent services.
• Financial Feasibility: Shared mobility services need to sustain themselves financially to ensure reliability and support long-term user adoption. A focus on economic sustainability is crucial for modeshift.
• Public Awareness: Many residents are still unaware of the benefits of shared mobility, which can hinder adoption. Education campaigns and pilot projects are essential for building trust within communities.

Next Steps for Municipalities and Organizations

For municipalities and organizations eager to integrate shared mobility into their neighbourhoods, consider these key actions:

1. Community Engagement and Needs Assessment
   Engage with community members to gather data on transportation needs and preferences. Tailoring services to local dynamics ensures equitable access for all residents. Adopting the VIBE (Value Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity) framework can be helpful here.
2. Integrated Planning and Infrastructure Development
   Collaborate with stakeholders to create MaaS solutions and establish physical infrastructure, such as mobility hubs and charging stations. This integrated approach streamlines transitions between transportation modes and boosts overall service utilization.
3. Policy Support and Financial Sustainability
   Advocate for policies that promote shared mobility while ensuring safety and accessibility. Financial models supporting economic sustainability help shared mobility services thrive based on community demand.

The Future of Shared Mobility Services in Canada

Integrating shared mobility into our neighborhoods goes beyond transportation—it’s about creating livable, efficient communities. By embracing shared mobility services, cities can boost accessibility, cultivate vibrant neighborhoods, and by reducing dependence on private car ownership, effectively utilize space for living instead of allocating it towards parking. All this while progressing towards its climate action of cutting carbon emissions.

At movmi, we see shared mobility’s potential to reshape urban spaces and foster more connected, inclusive communities. The successful launch of Metro Vancouver’s multimodal app RideLink showcases the power of digital integration, simplifying transport navigation for residents. Meanwhile, Neighbourhood Mobility Stations represent a significant step toward physically integrating shared mobility. Now is the time to act, and we invite all stakeholders—municipalities, organizations, and residents—to join us in bringing this vision to life.