The mobility transformation program in Azerbaijan is becoming a powerful tool for creating a modern urban environment, where micromobility plays a special role. This initiative aims to increase population mobility, reduce transport load on urban centers, and improve environmental conditions.
An important aspect of the program is ensuring the safety of all road users. Micromobility encompasses small-sized vehicles such as electric scooters, bicycles, unicycles, and Segways, designed for short trips within the city. In many countries, this type of transport is gaining popularity due to its environmental friendliness, convenience, and ability to reduce the load on road infrastructure.
However, successful development of micromobility requires appropriate infrastructure: bike lanes, charging stations, and traffic regulation systems.
Development of Micromobility in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan has already taken important steps to integrate micromobility solutions into the transport system. To improve the safety of cyclists and users of small electric vehicles, changes were made to the Road Traffic Law and the Code of Administrative Offenses. New concepts were introduced, road signs and marking lines were updated, creating more comfortable conditions for movement. When developing domestic solutions, the experience of cities that successfully implemented micromobility systems was taken into account.
For example, Barcelona (Spain) and Braga (Portugal) demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating bicycle lanes and electric scooter rental systems. In the US, in metropolises such as New York and Miami, comprehensive approaches to micromobility regulation are applied, including speed-limited zones, special parking areas, and preferential rates for eco-friendly transport rental.
International Experience and Its Application
The development of micromobility is one of the key directions in transport policy of many countries. Cities worldwide are implementing measures to encourage the use of electric bicycles and scooters, including financial benefits, tax deductions, subsidies, and infrastructure development. Let’s look at the approaches used in different countries.
In Europe, the extensive EuroVelo cycling network, created by the European Cyclists’ Federation, is developing. The project includes 14 long-distance routes crossing 40 countries. The total network length will exceed 90,000 km, of which more than 20,000 km have already been built. Germany is famous for its developed network of cycling paths running through scenic landscapes, historic cities, and cultural attractions. Among the most popular routes are the Weser Cycle Route – 520 km, the Danube Cycle Path – 2,850 km, the Main Cycle Route – 600 km, and the Elbe Cycle Route – 1,220 km.
Bicycle infrastructure is actively developing in cities nowadays. In particular, Berlin authorities intend to increase the share of bicycle traffic from 18% in 2018 to 23% by 2030. For this purpose, a unified network of bicycle paths with a length of 2,371 km has been approved, including 865 km of priority routes connecting key urban areas, 550 km of new bicycle paths along main highways, and 100 km of high-speed bicycle routes. In total, the length of Berlin’s urban bicycle network will be 3,000 km.
Additionally, Germany encourages the use of electric bicycles: for example, in Berlin, employees can receive compensation of 0.3 euros per kilometer traveled. France is also actively investing in bicycle infrastructure development. Under the “Bicycle and Pedestrian Development Plan 2023-2027,” the state will allocate 2 billion euros.
The goal is to increase the length of safe bicycle paths to 80,000 km by 2027 and 100,000 km by 2030. Along with infrastructure development, Paris and other cities implement measures to promote sustainable mobility. In particular, in Paris, workers can compensate for transport expenses through “sustainable mobility packages” (FMD), funded by employers and exempt from social contributions. Companies with more than 10 employees receive tax benefits for supporting public transport. Nationwide, there is also a state subsidy of 400 euros for bicycle purchases (including electric bicycles), which has been extended until 2027.
In the Netherlands, as of 2022, more than 35,000 km of bicycle paths have been built. This country has a travel reimbursement system – cyclists receive a tax-free allowance of 0.23 euros per kilometer, and bicycle rentals come with tax benefits and reduced VAT rates on repairs.
In the United States, micromobility is actively developing but faces infrastructure and regulatory challenges. Currently, infrastructure improvement projects such as Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) are being implemented, funding the construction of bike lanes and e-scooter zones. As of 2022, 30,502 km of bike paths have been laid across 34 states and the District of Columbia. It is expected that after connecting routes in Maryland and Tennessee, the total length will cover more than 80,000 km of bicycle routes.
US authorities are also implementing incentive measures for users of this infrastructure. Federal tax benefits (E-BIKE Act) provide a deduction of up to 30% (up to $1,500) when purchasing an e-bike costing up to $8,000. Several cities, including New York, San Francisco, and Denver, offer local subsidies. For example, Denver residents can receive a discount of up to $1,400 on an electric bicycle purchase. To encourage bike sharing, Chicago and Los Angeles offer discounts and free minutes in bike rentals for students and low-income citizens.
California and Oregon are developing networks of charging stations for e-scooters and e-bikes, making their use more convenient. Meanwhile, California is implementing the California E-Bike Incentive Project, which provides incentive vouchers worth up to $2,000 for purchasing a new electric bicycle. In Colorado, the Colorado Energy Office implemented a discount program for low-income residents (income less than 80% of the region’s median income) and middle-income residents (80% to 100% of median income) who wish to purchase a new electric bicycle and necessary equipment.
Maximum cost of electric bicycles covered by the program: up to $5,000 for standard electric bicycles, up to $8,500 for cargo electric bicycles, up to $8,500 for adaptive bicycles. Singapore has developed an extensive network of bicycle paths, and electric scooters are subject to mandatory registration and limited to 25 km/h speed. As of 2021, the country had more than 400 km of bicycle paths, and under the Green Plan 2030, their length will increase to 1,320 km.
To develop infrastructure, the government’s Active Mobility Grant program covers up to 80% of costs (but not more than 80,000 Singapore dollars or about 59,000 US dollars) for installing bicycle parking and charging stations for businesses and residential complexes. Additionally, students and low-income citizens are provided with preferential rates for electric scooter and bicycle rentals, and electric scooter drivers who have completed safety training receive insurance discounts. In China, the popularity of bicycle and micromobility transport is also growing.
According to the Beijing Municipal Transportation Committee, in 2023, residents and visitors of Beijing used bike-sharing services 1.09 billion times. The average daily number of trips reached 2.99 million, which is 12.8% more than in 2022. To improve cycling efficiency in China, artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are being actively implemented. Hangzhou has created a “smart bike rental” system integrated with WeChat and Alipay payment services.
Government support includes:
– Subsidies up to 30% for purchasing electric bicycles and electric scooters in Beijing and Shanghai;
– Over 1 billion yuan ($140 million) allocated in 2023 for expanding bicycle infrastructure;
– In some cities, public transport users can rent bicycles free of charge for the first 30 minutes;
– Shanghai offers a 500 yuan (about $70) subsidy for electric bicycle exchange (program runs until June 30, 2025).
Japan focuses on environmental friendliness: Tokyo and Osaka provide subsidies up to $800 for electric bicycle purchases, and companies implementing e-bikes for employees receive tax benefits. Several cities offer free charging for electric scooter and bicycle owners. In India, Delhi authorities support electric bicycle buyers by providing a discount of up to 25% of the minimum retail price (but not exceeding 5,500 rupees or $63).
Cargo electric bicycle owners can expect a 33% discount (not exceeding 15,000 rupees or $176). China leads in the number of electric bicycles used. China has over 300 million, the US has over 100 million, Japan has over 72 million, Brazil has 40 million, and Europe has 5 million. In 2021, the total number of two-wheeled vehicles used in India exceeded 12.3 million. Electric bicycle sales in India grew from 73,500 units in 2020 to 91,142 in 2021.
Thus, examples from different countries show that micromobility development requires a comprehensive approach: financial incentives, tax benefits, infrastructure investments, and technological solutions.
Infrastructure as a Key to Development
Currently, Baku is taking consistent steps to create a comfortable and safe environment for micromobility.
Special lanes for low-mobility vehicles have already been organized on 31 streets and avenues of the capital, ensuring their interconnectedness, making movement convenient and safe. Additionally, special road signs, buffer zones with protective barriers have been installed, and separate sections for microtransport users have appeared at traffic lights.
Furthermore, the city is actively creating parking spaces for bicycles and electric scooters, as well as allocating special zones for micromobility in popular public spaces, such as the National Seaside Park and the square in front of the 28 May metro station. The city plans to expand the bicycle path network to 100 km, which will significantly improve the convenience of using alternative transport.
The effectiveness of the measures taken is confirmed by statistics. Currently, operators provide 4,760 units of micromobile vehicles for rent. From September to December last year, 850,944 orders were registered, and the total distance covered was 2,244,302 km. These indicators demonstrate high demand for alternative modes of transport, which helps reduce car usage and, consequently, decreases road congestion.
Importantly, the development of micromobility is not happening at the expense of reducing car lanes. For example, on Parliament Avenue, Mikail Mushvig Street, May 28 Street, Dilara Aliyeva Street, and other streets, bike lanes are being laid without reducing the traffic capacity for vehicles. It is noteworthy that the intensity of microtransport use in Baku significantly exceeds global indicators.
On average, one bicycle worldwide is used 4-5 times per day, while in Baku this figure reaches 12 times. This indicates high demand and confirms the need for further infrastructure development.
The Future of Urban Mobility
The measures taken are already yielding tangible results.
A comprehensive approach to micromobility development, based on successful international practices, helps reduce car dependency, improve the transport situation, and create a comfortable urban environment. Growing interest in micromobile transport is confirmed by statistical data. In January-November 2024, Azerbaijan imported 4,823 electric bicycles, which has already exceeded the figure for the entire 2023 (4,056 units). For comparison, in 2022, 4,694 such vehicles were imported into the country, in 2021 – 5,829, and in 2020 – only 1,412.
The increase in imports indicates growing demand, making micromobility infrastructure development an important step toward sustainable and environmentally friendly urban living. The integration of innovative transport solutions not only improves convenience and accessibility of city movement but also enhances citizens’ quality of life by reducing harmful emissions.
