E-micromobilities and their role in improving air quality and public health: A roundtable discussion in Leeds

Abstract

BackgroundElectric micromobility vehicles such as e-bikes ande-scooters are increasing in popularity. E-bikes, in particular, represent a significantopportunity for promoting more active forms of travel, as they enable a widerrange of people to access individual mobility, whilst also having many of thehealth benefits associated with non-power assisted cycling. Beyond the fitnessbenefits, e-micromobilities offer community level benefits including reduced roadcongestion and reduced noise and air pollution. As a city, Leeds has committed to achieving net zero by 2030. In order to achieve that ambition, there is aneed for rapid, large-scale action, with increased active travel and e-micromobility use key to that shift. Despite their benefits, many questions relating to the use and growth of e-micromobilites remain unanswered. For instance, what infrastructurewould be needed? Should regulations be developed and applied? Will drivers require insurance, licencing or road tax? What impact will e-micromobilities have on transport inequalities? How will an increase in use of e-micromobilityvehicles impact existing travel behaviours? Exploring these questions at alocal and national level will be key to planning for the potential impacts,both positive and negative, that new powered modes of travel will have onstreets.MethodTo explore the questions posed above, a roundtablediscussion will be hosted in Leeds. Leeds is a city in the north of Englandthat has committed to achieving net zero by 2030. The roundtable will include adiverse sample of people from across the city, including policy makers, travelplanners, town planners, members of the public, and academics working in activetravel and micromobility research. To develop the questions asked, a literature reviewwill be conducted. The questions will be shared with key stakeholders tocomment on and finalise. The final list of questions will be shared with registeredparticipants ahead of the roundtable. During the roundtable, there will be timeprovided for open ended discussions about the key issues highlighted. All participants will be invited via email, with aninformation sheet provided to them. All participants will be asked to provideconsent before taking part and will be able to withdraw at any point up untildata analysis. Depending on the availability of participants 1 to 3 roundtableswill be hosted, each lasting up to 60 minutes. The roundtable will befacilitated to ensure all questions are explored and that everyone has a voice.The facilitator will act objectively. The discussion will be recorded andtranscripts produced. The transcripts will be thematically analysed to identifykey themes discussed.Possible outcomesA report will be produced from the roundtablediscussions. The report will be shared with key stakeholders across the cityand wider region. Based on the discussions, recommendations for the city willbe developed. The report and recommendations could be used to facilitatefurther discussion and inform future research.