Photo credit: Cycling UK
An innovative project aims to support disabled people gaining access to shared micromobility services (such as e-scooters and e-bikes) to help them get around.
The year-long project, which will take place in Salford, Greater Manchester, will give the disabled people who participate, the chance to take part in a series of activities including travel training, skills and confidence sessions and led bike rides.
Who we have funded
We’ve grant-funded shared transport charity Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) to lead the year-long initiative, which they will deliver in partnership with Cycling UK, Salford City Council, and shared transport operators Lime and Beryl.
About the project
The initiative follows recent research we commissioned which found that only 10 per cent of disabled people have used shared micromobility services, despite over half believing they could improve their lives. The benefits that disabled people believe these services could provide to them included access to outdoor activities, a sustainable travel option, and the ability to travel spontaneously.
Barriers to disabled people accessing these services include low confidence in using them and a lack of awareness about how to find and book them. This project aims to find solutions to these challenges by giving disabled people the opportunity to try micromobility services in a safe environment.
In Salford, shared micromobility schemes involving e-scooters and e-bikes are operated by Lime and Beryl. Disabled people participating in this project will have the opportunity to try both of these services for themselves, with the operators agreeing to provide free access to their vehicles during the sessions.
At the end of the project the impact of the various activities will be evaluated, with the most impactful ones potentially being developed further to help more disabled people make journeys.
“Looking forward to activities getting underway”
Harry Fisher, innovation manager at the Motability Foundation, said: “It’s great to have the delivery partners in place for this innovative project, and we’re now looking forward to activities getting underway.
“Through this project, we aim to support disabled people to access these services, including providing the training they need so they can use them with confidence.”
“Address some of the barriers”
Richard Dilks, Chief Executive of CoMoUK said: “Through this work, we want to directly address some of the barriers facing disabled people who want to use shared micromobility services in their area.
“It is crucial that nobody is left behind as the UK embraces these sustainable forms of transport, and we hope this project will ultimately help to increase shared micromobility use by disabled people.”