ITS Monday: Edition 26, 2021

Shoppers’ mobility habits: Retailers overestimate car use

This is something you often hear when talking about streetspace: ‘Retail traders often fear that reducing the amount of urban space made available for parking private vehicles would have a negative effect on their businesses.’ In Berlin the stats on this are in, and they are in this article.

Economic benefits of dining parklets, bike parking and car parking

Research from Alison Lee, of Urbis. It shows that ‘… stepping away from a monoculture of kerbside parking and towards a mixed kerbside of cafe dining and bike parking amongst other uses is not only a positive for amenity but also makes good sense for businesses.’

Sydney’s public transport patronage at lowest levels since 1800s

Sydney’s most recent COVID troubles are hitting hard, and transport is certainly no exception. ‘The number of people on public transport was about eight per cent of pre-COVID levels, according to new NSW government figures, a sign that the latest restrictions had likely had an immediate impact on mobility across the city. Road traffic also decreased by more than 45 per cent.’

The power of getting paid not to park at work

‘Subsidising employer-paid parking clogs streets, boosts emissions and isn’t fair to commuters who can’t use this perk. But there’s an easy way to fix it.’ Is there a fix in the article? Yes. But it’s a decidedly American fix, which is OK, this article has a US focus.

New public data reveals high-performing bus network

This is a Victorian Government media release, so take that into account when looking at the headline. But inside there is some good data news for public transport customers in the state.

Obsessing over electric cars is impeding the race to net zero: More active travel is essential

‘Active travel is cheaper, healthier, better for the environment, and no slower on congested urban streets. So how much carbon can it save on a day-by-day basis? And what is its role in reducing emissions from transport overall?’

Beam Is Brisbane’s new purple-hued e-bike and e-scooter service with designated parking spots

Brisbane this week is adding new shared micromobility vehicles to its streets, with 400 e-bikes and 1,000 e-scooters from the provider Beam. They are on the streets and available to use in Fortitude Valley, Bowen Hills, Teneriffe, New Farm, South Bank, and St Lucia.

Superpedestrian acquires Navmatic to detect and control unsafe e-scooter rider behavior

‘Electric scooter operator Superpedestrian has acquired Navmatic, a startup that helps micromobility operators locate vehicles and correct their movements in real time.’