Pilot project identifies barriers to shared mobility
Although shared mobility is gaining popularity, not everyone is finding their way to shared bicycles and shared cars. Commissioned by the City of Leuven, we investigated which barriers people experience and formulated seven recommendations to remove them. Useful for local authorities or mobility providers who want to make shared mobility more inclusive.
What is shared mobility?
In "shared mobility", several people can use the same means of transport over time. The use of a means of transport is thus shared and not reserved for a single owner. There are various forms of shared mobility, such as car sharing, bicycle and bicycle sharing or step sharing, through commercial or private systems.
Share mobility for all?
Share mobility is growing rapidly in Flanders. More and more people are using shared bicycles, shared bin bikes, shared cars and shared steps. Yet research shows that not everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. People with lower incomes, the elderly or residents with a migrant background use them less.
This is a pity, because shared mobility can be an important lever precisely for vulnerable groups, as it provides access to means of transport without the high costs associated with purchase, maintenance and insurance. For people in mobility poverty, it means more opportunities to get around, for example to work, to their children's school or to the doctor.
Pilot project at Leuven community centres
To better understand thresholds to partial mobility, the City of Leuven set up a pilot project together with Mobiel 21, VELO vzw and Cambio. Between March 2024 and March 2025, we set up temporary sharing points at three Leuven neighbourhood centres - Mannenstraat, Sint-Maartensdal and Casablanca. Residents could use a mix of sharing vehicles there for four months each: regular bikes, electric bikes, electric cargo bikes and a car.
The choice of the project partners to organise the sharing service at the community centres was a conscious one: these neighbourhoods are home to many vulnerable profiles who often visit the local community centre. Registration for the project was therefore through community workers. To make participation accessible to vulnerable residents, they could use the sharing vehicles for free during the pilot project.
The actual research then consisted of in-depth interviews with participants and a focus group with community workers. In the interviews, we explored what barriers participants experienced when using the shared vehicles and how they see shared mobility as a possible solution to their mobility needs. In the focus group, we talked about shared mobility, inclusion and mobility poverty with three community workers. They were the first point of contact for participants during the project, helped with sign-ups and registration with the part providers, and know the mobility needs of their local residents.
verspreid over de drie buurtcentra
met fiets, bakfiets en auto
de rest met de verschillende deelfietsen
Barriers to shared mobility
The main aim of our study was to identify thresholds that affect the use of shared mobility by vulnerable groups. As the vehicles in this project were provided free of charge, the financial threshold did not actually play a role. As a result, other barriers emerged more clearly.
- Knowledge: Many people do not really know what shared mobility entails.
- Digital and practical skills: Using an app, riding an electric bike or riding a cargo bike is not natural for everyone.
- Functioning of the sharing system: Registration and reservation often cause stress.
- Sharing as a mindset: The step from "owning" to "using together" takes getting used to.
- Location and layout of the sharing point: Proximity and recognisability of sharing points are crucial to attract users.
- Cost: Even if rides are affordable, a lot of people experience financial stress. For example, because of high boarding fees or fear of fines.
Seven recommendations for more inclusive shared mobility
Based on the research findings, the interviews and the focus groups with community workers, general recommendations are possible to make shared mobility more inclusive, and more responsive to the needs and wants of vulnerable populations.
- Communicate broadly and in understandable language
- Focus on personal guidance
- Organise practice moments with the vehicles
- Go for a familiar location and offer tailored to the neighbourhood
- Simplify the registration process
- Provide alternatives to digital access
- Provide an affordable and balanced pricing model
Want more background on these recommendations? Then download our Insight "Barriers to shared mobility".
Together towards shared mobility for all
Share mobility offers opportunities, especially for people who do not have their own bicycle or car. Yet vulnerable profiles will only be able to make full use of shared systems if existing barriers disappear. In this respect, the results of the Leuven pilot project offer guidance to local policymakers and mobility providers.
Any questions? Or working together?
Would you like to work together on more inclusive shared mobility? Or do you have questions about the pilot project, the results or the recommendations? Then contact our colleague Eva De Vrij using the form below.
This pilot project and research was made possible thanks to the City of Leuven and the Interreg project ShareDiMobiHub.
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