Today marks a significant milestone for us at Mosa, as we're thrilled to announce our inclusion in the TRIG (Transport Research and Innovation Grant) 2023 program, a prestigious initiative supported by the Department for Transport and Connected Places Catapult. This achievement is more than just an accolade; it represents a crucial step forward in our mission to inspire cities to cycle: from secure parking to bicycle sharing. With our patented smart dock technology, we aim to introduce an ultra-affordable docked bicycle sharing scheme that addresses the pressing challenges facing urban mobility today.
A Big Problem Awaiting the Right Solution
The micromobility space has seen its fair share of excitement and hype, with various sharing schemes popping up in major cities worldwide. In London, for instance, residents and visitors have access to the Santander Bikes sharing scheme, along with bikes and e-scooter sharing services offered by well-funded startups like Lime and Tier. However, these initiatives, while innovative, present their own set of challenges:
- Docked Bicycle Sharing Schemes: Cities that can afford docked bicycle sharing schemes face the daunting costs and logistical challenges of installing and maintaining bulky docking stations, hindering scalability.
- Dockless Bicycle and Micromobility Sharing: Conversely, dockless sharing schemes, though free from the constraints of physical infrastructure, often lead to issues of urban disorder, including careless parking and vandalism. These operational challenges make dockless schemes a costly endeavour.undefined
These challenges are particularly pronounced in tier 1 cities, which have the financial means and market size to support such initiatives. Smaller cities and towns, however, find themselves at a disadvantage, struggling to implement any form of micromobility sharing solution despite the interest from local authorities in promoting sustainable transportation.
Ultra-affordable Bicycle Sharing Schemes: A Solution for Every City and Town
In collaboration with UCL’s MUSA Lab, we are exploring the potential of ultra-affordable bicycle sharing schemes, bolstered by the support of the Department for Transport and Connected Places Catapult. Our objective is to assess the operational and financial viability of our scheme, which leverages our patented smart dock technology to significantly reduce the cost of docking infrastructure. Our ambition is to provide a self-serviced, easily deployable solution that can be adopted by cities and towns of all sizes, encouraging active travel and making it accessible to everyone.
This initiative not only promises significant commercial opportunities by targeting the long tail market of smaller cities and towns but also allows us to steer clear of the highly competitive tier 1 city market. More importantly, it aligns with our goal to democratise access to active travel, thereby contributing to the equitable distribution of regional resources.
We are incredibly excited about the potential of this initiative and are looking forward to launching more pilot projects in the near future. If you share our vision for transforming urban mobility and believe you can contribute to our mission, we warmly invite you to reach out to us. Together, we can make a tangible difference in how people move through our cities and towns, fostering a healthier, more sustainable future for all.