Health impacts of electric micro-mobility transitions in Barcelona: a scenario analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Mobility in cities is changing with the appearance of new, electric (e-) micro-mobilities, such as e-scooters, e-motorcycles and e-bikes. The shared use of these vehicles is increasingly becoming popular as it enables users to have easy, individual, short-duration access to transport without the burdens of ownership. Given the foreseen long-term increase in micro-mobilities and the link between transport and health, it is relevant to understand the health implications of these new, often-shared, personal e-mobility vehicles (PMVs). METHODS: We conducted a health impact assessment study, using transport statistics and NewMob data, a project studying the fundamentals of micro-mobility use related to user profile, environmental and social impacts in Barcelona, Spain. We applied the comparative risk assessment framework to study the impacts of these new e-PMVs on health in Barcelona. Specifically, through two scenarios, assuming a long-term 5% and 10% increase in e-PMVs, we modelled the change in exposure to physical activity, air pollution and traffic hazards for users switching from conventional modes of transport and estimated the preventable premature mortality and mental health burden. RESULTS:We found that with the uptake of these new forms of e-PMVs related increases in physical activity resulted in 12 (95% CI: 9-17) and 24 (95% CI: 17-34) premature deaths avoidable each year for the 5% and 10% e-PMV increase scenario, respectively, most likely outweighing risks associated with user exposure to air pollution and traffic hazards. CONCLUSIONS:Long-term increase in uptake of e-PMVs is expected in cities and these forms of mobility can provide considerable health benefits, especially through increases in physical activity. Moreover, e-PMVs can additionally create common good by providing affordable access to all, high maintenance and safety standards, and the overall reduction of car vehicle fleets and associated adverse externalities, such as air and noise pollution and public space uptake. KEYWORDS: air pollution, health impact assessment, mental health, mortality, electric personal mobility vehicle, physical activity