🙅 Spin Quits Open Permits

Plus, Bolt banks $709M, Milan approves world-class bike lane buildout, and Rivian files trademark for ebikes.

January 11, 2022

Welcome to the Micromobility Newsletter. Here’s what’s going on in the wide world of tech, transportation, and cities this week.

Last Call for Micromobility World

Tomorrow’s the big day.

Micromobility World is bringing together the top global leaders in urban mobility for a jam-packed virtual summit exploring little EVs’ big potential to radically reshape our world. Here’s what you can expect:

💡 Hear from thought-leaders, like Bird CEO Travis VanderZanden, Zipcar cofounder Robin Chase, and Colorado DOT leader Shoshana Lew

đŸ€ Schedule video meetings with anyone in the industry you need to meet

đŸ‡łđŸ‡± Catch surprise announcements live


View the full agenda, then register here for free. The livestream will kick off with some exciting news tomorrow at 10AM PT. Hope to see you there.

What You Need to Know This Week

  • Spin is exiting most open permit markets—cities where the number of scooter companies that can operate is not restricted—saying it could not “identify a clear path to profitability” in these unregulated environments. The Ford-owned micromobility startup will instead focus on limited-vendor markets, where the company says it earns “double the revenue per vehicle.” The massive restructure will see Spin lay off 25% of its staff.

  • Bolt raises €628M ($709M) at a €7.4B ($8.4B) valuation as the European super app hones its five core verticals: ride-hailing, electric scooters, car sharing, restaurant delivery, and grocery delivery.

  • Rivian files a trademark for electric bikes.

  • Milan officially approved a new €200M ($226M) cycling plan that will create 750 km of new bike lanes and connect 80% of the city. This is what a subway map for bikes looks like.

  • TechCrunch recaps the biggest micromobility developments from CES: “The main theme throughout this year is smart, connected vehicles. These little EVs are being built with more powerful onboard computers that are synced up to apps that can help riders do things like find their vehicle, track fitness goals and control bike functions like locks and lights.” 

  • Taiwan’s KYMCO unveils the Like 125 EV, an affordable e-moped for the European market.

  • The path to passage for Biden’s BBB bill is looking increasing narrow.

  • Covid-era open streets were concentrated primarily in wealthier neighborhoods of US cities.

relates to What the Pandemic’s ‘Open Streets’ Really Revealed

  • China’s Niu sold over 1M smart electric scooters in 2021, a 72.5% year-over-year growth.

  • Bugati is the latest luxury carmaker to release an electric scooter. 

  • How enforcement cameras inside of buses can ticket cars that block dedicated lanes.

  • Norway’s Podbike says it will start shipping its first product, the four-wheeled Frikar ebike, this year.

Storck x PodBike Frikar e-bike velomobile will replace your car - Bikerumor

  • Ola Electric’s Indian plant is now manufacturing 1,000 EV mopeds per day. The company says that it will be able to produce 2M vehicles annually once production is fully ramped.

  • McDonald’s is installing stationary bikes that generate electricity at some of its restaurants in China.

  • Secretary Buttigieg published an op-ed in TechCrunch about harnessing US transportation innovation for public good: “Government didn’t invent planes, trains, or automobiles, but it did build airports, lay tracks, and construct highways. It enacted laws requiring seat belts and air bags, and created an air traffic control system so that people could travel safely.”

  • In 2021, US carbon emissions rebounded faster than the overall economy. Transportation emissions led the way.

Jobs to Be Done

Welcome to our jobs board, where every week we post open positions in hopes of connecting our talented readers with professional opportunities in the burgeoning world of new mobility. Find out who’s hiring below and sign up for the newsletter to view fresh listings every week.

Hit reply if you have a job that you’re interested in listing.

Culdesac:

Dance (Berlin, unless otherwise noted)

Hopp (Reykjavik):

Regional Program Director @ Tranzito (Los Angeles)