LOS ANGELES: A pilot project has found that targeted training can lead to greater uptake of shared micromobility among disabled people.

The year-long initiative, held in Salford, Greater Manchester, delivered 15 training sessions to 41 participants. It was led by shared transport charity CoMoUK, funded by the Motability Foundation and delivered by Cycling UK, in partnership with local operators Lime and Beryl, as well as Transport for Greater Manchester and Salford Council.

Nearly half of respondents (48%) said that they did not know how shared micromobility schemes worked before taking part in the training. More than half of participants went on to ride independently within a month of completing the training.

Richard Dilks, Chief Executive of CoMoUK, believes that shared micromobility as it stands today leaves disabled people “inevitably” excluded.

“The same is true for many other forms of transport, depending on their needs and on how suitable it is,” Dilks told Zag Daily.

The Salford project centred on raising awareness of shared micromobility and the training scheme through engagement with disability charities and targeted social media campaigns. Alongside this, face-to-face training was delivered to build practical skills and confidence in using shared e-bikes and e-scooters and the apps required to access them.

Almost three-quarters of a total 47 respondents who engaged with the social media campaign said they had never used shared micromobility before.

More than 40% of training participants said that, while they recognised the benefits, they had avoided using e-bikes or e-scooters because they did not feel safe. A further 27% said they did not know how to use the associated apps.

Following the training, 71% of participants said they were “quite likely” or “very likely” to use e-bikes independently while 43% said the same for e-scooters.

Rohan Kakad, Transport Solutions Manager at the Motability Foundation, said the pilot highlights the “barriers that still need to be addressed” to make shared micromobility truly accessible. Barriers identified during the programme included the requirement to hold a driving licence, financial obstacles and limitations in vehicle design.

“Some described a need for additional training in how to use e-bikes and e-scooters, while others said they would be more likely to use them if more vehicles were available in more places. A few participants also mentioned that some e-bikes are heavy and can be difficult to operate.” Dilks added.

The findings come one year after research by the Motability Foundation revealed that just 10% of disabled people in the UK had used a shared micromobility service before.

To improve shared micromobility’s accessibility, CoMoUK has published a series of recommendations for government, operators and local authorities.

The charity is urging the government to remove the requirement for a driving licence to access shared e-scooters in the forthcoming Low Speed Zero Emission Vehicle (LZEV) legislation, arguing that this disproportionately excludes disabled people. It also calls for LZEV law to open up access to non-standard vehicles, such as seated e-scooters.

Additionally, CoMoUK advocates for inclusive e-scooter training and for guidance on using the relevant apps to be included in Bikeability, the national cycle training standard, and its scooter equivalent.

For operators and local authorities, the recommendations include more inclusive marketing aimed at disabled people, simplified app sign-up processes and improved customer service support.

James Scott, Director of Behaviour Change at Cycling UK, said the pilot reflects a “strong desire” among disabled people to travel more actively and independently, which is currently “outweighed by a lack of confidence, familiarity and trust”.

“What this project has proven is that disabled people are ready and willing to use e-bikes and e-scooters when access is designed and delivered with their needs in mind.”