Micro-Mobility for Inclusive, Sustainable Urban Futures
An article by Andrea Giaretta, DOTT, published in the white paper “The Mobility Revolution”.
DOTT
Founded in 2018, Dott is the European champion of shared micro-mobility. In March 2024, TIER-Dott was created through the merger of operators TIER and Dott. The company decided to continue under the name Dott and is currently integrating all vehicles into the Dott app. With the mission to change mobility for good, Dott promotes sustainable travel, reduces congestion and pollution in cities, and decreases dependence on private cars. With over 250,000 shared vehicles active in more than 420 cities across 21 countries in Europe and the Middle East, its 10 million users have already generated over 380 million rides.
Micro-Mobility as Key to Frees Cities
Making cities more livable, reducing traffic and pollution, and ensuring equitable access to mobility: these are the key challenges transforming the urban landscape. In this context, micro-mobility plays an increasingly crucial role as an integrated component of a multimodal ecosystem, complementing and enhancing public transport offerings. Since its founding, Dott has pursued a clear and bold ambition: to free cities from traffic, pollution, and urban disorder. It does so through a network of electric micro-mobility – scooters and bikes – built on sustainability, accessibility, and efficiency. The company’s claim, “Free cities with affordable rides”, perfectly encapsulates this mission: to offer lightweight, affordable mobility that restores space and quality to our cities.
Multimodal, Accessible Urban Mobility Expands Social Impact
To be truly effective and competitive, sustainable mobility must be accessible and flexible. Fare plans tailored to everyday needs and a diverse range of vehicles – bikes, scooters, cargo bikes, and integration with buses, subways, and trains – make it possible to reach a broader user base and include often-excluded groups like families and commuters.
The multimodal approach is now a strategic priority to make micro-mobility services an integral part of urban infrastructure. In this sense, companies like Dott – active in more than 400 cities across Europe and the Middle East – have focused on a single platform that allows users to access electric bikes and scooters, adapting to the specific needs of first and last-mile travel.
Flexible Pricing for Everyday Use
Another key factor is economic accessibility. Innovative pricing models, such as monthly subscriptions or pay-per-ride plans with transparent and predictable costs, promote regular daily use of micro-mobility. Programs like DottFlex offer unlimited rides at low costs, breaking down financial barriers for many users. Additionally, partnerships with local governments have enabled initiatives that integrate micro-mobility fares with public transport subscriptions, increasing access for regular commuters.
This also brings safety benefits: data shows that users who know the cost in advance tend to drive more cautiously, reducing average speed by 6%. Moreover, the more frequently users ride, the more likely they are to adopt ride packages – a sign that pricing strategies truly support sustainable mobility.
A Diverse Offering to Meet Diverse Needs
The availability of complementary vehicles – such as traditional bicycles, scooters, cargo bikes, and child seat-equipped options – allows services to meet a range of needs and include those traveling with children or carrying items. This inclusive approach encourages wider adoption and contributes to more equitable mobility. The goal is to make shared mobility accessible and inclusive by eliminating practical barriers that often discourage the use of sustainable options. This vehicle variety not only broadens user adoption but also helps build a more equitable, widespread system that integrates with public transport and addresses urban sustainability challenges.
Technology and Collaboration for Smarter Cities
The use of advanced technologies – such as AI for fleet optimization and parking monitoring – makes micro-mobility more efficient and better aligned with city needs. In Rome, for instance, AI systems have cut improper parking by 70%, demonstrating how good technological governance can enhance urban space quality.
A Growing Dialogue Between Operators and Local Governments
Cities are becoming increasingly aware of the strategic role of sustainable mobility and are strengthening cooperation with operators to define shared rules, promote responsible usage, and ensure high service standards.
Over time, this dialogue has led to a shared maturity in managing micro-mobility: from minimum service requirements to urban decorum, and the recognition of the value of structured, international operators. Companies like Dott, with international experience, can make a significant contribution thanks to proven models and the ability to adapt to local needs.
Towards an Integrated and Inclusive Future for Urban Mobility
The future of mobility will be increasingly interconnected, digital, sustainable, and user-centered. The challenge is not just to offer new solutions, but to make them accessible, efficient, and an integral part of daily urban life. In this scenario, micro-mobility – if embedded in a well-designed multimodal system – can become a powerful lever for cleaner, more inclusive, and more resilient cities.
