(Photo: Mo)
A reader tipped me off to a new urban mobility concept recently launched in Munich that is really blowing my mind… Or should I say “mo”-ing my mind?
Introducing “mo” (short for mobility); a system that hopes to someday integrate bike-sharing, car-sharing, and transit access into a seamless network that just might be the future of how cities tackle mobility challenges. The video below explains how it works…
mo – mobility for tomorrow from LUNAR Europe on Vimeo.
The system has yet to be fully rolled out and was just launched (as a concept) less than a month ago in Munich. It was created by a collaboration of a design firm, an environmental-minded non-profit, and a university. The appeal of the system seems to be its simplicity. Users sign up for one card which them gives them access to rental bikes (cargo and e-bikes figure prominently), cars, and transit fares/schedules/trip planning services. There’s also a behavior change element in that you earn “mo miles” when you bike which you can then redeem within the system to make vehicle rental fees cheaper.
The designers of the concept have gotten several major things right: electric and cargo bikes play a central role, the system is multi-modal, there are cash rewards for driving less, and it’s all integrated onto smartphones and a slick, unified brand identity.
Here’s more from a company press release:
“It emerged [from surveys and focus groups of Munich residents] that many people would be quite happy to do without a car of their own if more attractive alternatives were available. “mo” provides these alternatives: the appropriate means of transport is available for any occasion and in any situation, even spontaneously. “mo” could be implemented inexpensively and rapidly and would require only a moderate amount of technical infrastructure/outlay. In the form of a smartphone app, “mo” becomes a practical ‘location-based service’ that encourages spontaneous usage of the mobility system even on the go.”
In a low-car leaning, innovative transportation-loving place like Portland (which was just named 2nd best place to live without a car in America) this seems like the type of city were mo could gain momentum.
Learn more at mo-bility.com.