The MRP is proud to have collaborated and co-authored the world’s first #micromobility 🛴 🛵 Reference Guide, for 🇲🇾 #malaysia 🇲🇾 , to support policy makers and governments introduce sustainable micromobility transport options in a safe, and sustainable manner. The guide is comprehensive, reflecting latest best practice, including sustainability metrics and considerations. We would welcome any enquiries to develop similar guides, since it is critical to ensure that any sustainable transport solutions based on micromobility implementations consider all stakeholders in a fair, enduring, and equitable manner. We congratulate the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), Better Cities Group, PLANMalaysia, and the Malaysian government in supporting this world first reference guide. Please find a link to the report below where you can ⬇ download ⬇ and review a copy on the MIROS website (click ⬇ muat-turun ⬇, which means download in bahasa malaysia).

The MRP, with Charles Darwin University's doctoral candidate Ferdinand Balfoort and University of Melbourne's Dr. Mark Stevenson are pleased to have contributed to this latest CAHA report on transport decarbonisation and our health. Australia's motor cities are making us sick. We are proud to join 19 other health organisations in calling for a transport system which is better for our health and better for the climate. The Australian government has the opportunity to deliver a healthier transport system, which delivers clean air and community connection across Australia.

MRP notes that the reliance on ICE and Personal EV / SUV will continue as long as infrastructure and policies are not calibrated to accommodate safe mixed-use of different transport options. This is the same story, the world over.

This points to the teamwork required between all stakeholders as we have outlined in previous weeks' posts. Increasing the uptake of more sustainable transport modes will require further public investment into policy and infrastructure which will lead to higher community adoption.

“While 9 out of 10 French people drive at least one type of vehicle (car, motorbike, MPV, bicycle, etc.), 84% use a car. Of these, 81% use it at least once a month… A high figure, with no great surprises, but on deeper analysis it points to the gradual development of mixed-use.”

Our concern is that gradual development can seem at times glacial in the extreme, as we see continued temperature increases globally. These are issues that we need to look at more closely and adapt to more rapidly, in the near-term.

It's also worth noting that micromobility and sustainable transport is just one sector in which we have to adapt. There are many others that need similar attention. Considered in this scope, there's a lot to do!

The new head of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Jim Skea, made some fine points in this recent CNN interview (starts at 18:00 minutes). In his words:

"We need to acknowledge that it’s not only climate change that’s going to affect people’s lives. ‍

The measures that we take to address climate change will also have social and economic implications as well. It’s why, in the last report we started to flag the idea of just transition. The idea that in transitioning to net zero we should pay much more attention to the impacts of climate action 🌍 So we’re well aware, I think, of the fact that there are implications of climate change action but we need systematic ways of actually addressing that. And there are solutions, because there are jobs in low carbon industries and there are other benefits that people will get in the longer term from actually reducing the impacts of climate change."

‍These are encouraging words following his urge to note overstate the 1.5C degree limits on global temperature increases (credit: Deutsche Welle) which is an important point to keep in mind.The MRP sees this as a positive response towards adoption of climate change measures within communities. A successful switch to more sustainable sector alternatives and solutions is linked directly to how consumers and providers can engage both socially and environmentally in a constructive manner.

Ferdinand Balfoort, Managing Partner of the MRP, said, "This excellent UK study shows that e-scooters should be expanded to efficient urban transport in that they reduce traffic congestion in cities with smooth and fast movement and contribute to environmental protection as eco-friendly transportation." and added "In order for e-scooters to develop into sustainable transportation, it will be necessary to improve urban infrastructure and facilities as well as improve citizens' safety awareness.  It is very positive to find the MRP sustainability calculations being confirmed independently by UCL equally, confirming the significant impact e Scooters have on reducing transport emissions".