In recent years, the concept of sharing mobility has become increasingly popular, and in Italy the sector has experienced significant growth overall. Of the 357 shared mobility services (including bikes, cars, and scooters) recorded by the National Sharing Mobility Observatory, as many as 76% are bike sharing services. This confirms Italy as the European country with the highest number of active services in this sector.
Bike sharing is a sustainable mobility solution that allows the use of bicycles for travel within urban routes. As the name suggests, the bicycles are not owned by individual users but are shared and can be rented for short periods by anyone registered with the service. It is an ecological and practical way to move around freely.
In terms of mobility, bike sharing has been one of the most discussed topics over the past year. Let’s take a look at the numbers!
Bike Sharing: The Numbers Behind Its Success
According to the latest National Sharing Mobility Report, in 2017 Italy ranked first in Europe for the spread of bike sharing, with 39,500 bicycles available to users in 265 municipalities.
Between 2015 and 2017, the number of users choosing shared mobility increased by 50%, providing around 18 million Italians with a greener service.
This trend shows how, after more than two centuries of history, the bicycle is experiencing a second youth in Italy, especially appreciated in the historic centers of Northern Italian cities.
The boom in shared mobility on two wheels is concentrated in four major Italian cities where two-thirds of the bicycles are located: Milan (44%), Turin (13%), Florence (8%), and Rome (5%).
A true army of bicycles that is joined by private bikes, which are also constantly increasing!
From Fixed Stations to Free Floating
The world of shared bicycles is constantly evolving. The traditional model based on renting bikes and returning them to fixed stations has been transformed by new operators who introduced free-floating bike sharing. In this model, users can park their bicycles wherever they finish their ride.
Among the main operators active in Italy are Mobike (the first to launch services in Milan and Florence), Bicincittà, Obike, and Ofo. Their presence and the creation of new services continue to expand.
The Benefits of Shared Mobility
Although still limited in many municipalities, the revenue generated by pedal-powered transport is significant, in addition to the many benefits for both health and the environment.
The advantages of shared mobility are numerous.
First of all, the convenience of always having a vehicle available that allows you to reach almost anywhere. Bike sharing benefits not only those who use it but also the city itself: less traffic, less smog and pollution, and faster urban travel.
The growth of available fleets has also allowed more Italians to start using bicycles, bringing significant health benefits. In fact, it encourages the use of a practical and environmentally friendly means of transport without actually owning it. It reduces transportation costs and helps avoid traffic problems — a major issue in large cities — even during temporary traffic restrictions imposed because of pollution.
Living in a large city and being able to move freely without restrictions on schedules or routes is undoubtedly one of the most important needs for residents.
But it is also essential for tourists. That is why accommodation owners cannot ignore this growing phenomenon!