Special issue - Electric Micromobility Futures

Special issue - Electric Micromobility Futures

Posted by Tom Cohen on 2021-09-21

CALL FOR PAPERS

ACTIVE TRAVEL STUDIES

Special issue - Electric Micromobility Futures

Guest Editors

Dr Tim Jones (Oxford Brookes University)

Dr Kiron Chatterjee (University of the West of England, Bristol)

Dr Ben Spencer (Oxford Brookes University)

Overview

Recent years have seen the growth of electrically assisted micromobility options or what we might call ‘e-micromobility’. E-micromobility comprises vehicles that are small, can transport people or goods, and require some sort of active self-propulsion. It includes electrically assisted cycles and electrically assisted cargo cycles as well as electric ‘kick’ scooters, electric skateboards, mono-wheels etc that require the active maintenance of balance. These may be privately owned or part of a shared-use model that is in operation in towns and cities.

The e-micromobility industry is growing rapidly while at the same time strategies to reduce private car use in urban areas are being taken more seriously in many places. The reallocation of road space as part of a move towards a post-pandemic green recovery could (unintentionally or otherwise) spark an ‘e-micromobility boom’. Proponents might reasonably argue that this offers a more inclusive and independent mobility that benefits personal health and wellbeing and that supports local economies through a more sustainable approach to the movement of people and goods. However, transport policy makers are grappling with how to plan cities for e-micromobility and it remains largely unmonitored in transport data. The topic also creates debate in policy circles around governance and regulation and dissonance as to whether it is safe and sustainable, and indeed, whether e-micromobilities constitute active travel. This special issue invites papers that specifically address the role of e-micromobility as active travel and as part of sustainable transport futures.

The special issue areas include but are not limited to:

      The impact of certain types of e-micromobility on ‘active travel’ – broadly understood as walking and conventional pedal cycling – and what constitutes ‘good’ e-micromobility.

      E-micromobility as a substitute for other methods of transport including the private car and impact on public transport (e.g. bus use).

      Integration of e-micromobility with other modes.

      Infrastructure, technology and design and management of e-micromobility.

      Governance of e-micromobility and regulatory frameworks.

      Application of e-micromobility hubs and rental schemes such as bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.

      Micro-mobility and the ‘gig’ economy.

      Role of e-micromobility in urban regeneration and liveability agenda.

      Health and wellbeing benefits of e-micromobility.

      Everyday use of e-micromobility and embodied experience and interaction in (contested) public space.

      The role of e-micromobility for social inclusion.

      E-micromobility and the environment.

Timescale and practicalities

Submissions for this Special Issue are now closed, and it will publish soon.