Micromobility America Conference 2023


By Steve Price

Last month I attended the two-day Micromobility America Conference 2023 at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California. It's the biggest international micromobility conference, held twice a year. (Earlier in the year it was held in Amsterdam.) To get to it, I bicycled about 20 minutes along the Bay Trail, enjoying stunning views of San Francisco Bay along the way. The Craneway Pavilion is a restored Ford Motor Plant overlooking the Bay where Model Ts and Model As were manufactured early last century.

Various reports peg the global market for electric micromobility as growing at between 12.5% to 17% CAGR (compound annual growth rate). That's a lot. At the conference there was a lot to see, including presentations and panel discussions on two stages plus exhibit spaces where a fascinating selection of small electric vehicles were on display. The manufacturers answered questions about their products as well as allowed attendees to test drive them around the outside of the Pavilion. In the afternoon of the second day, for $10, the public was invited to test drive them as well. People clearly loved the experience — I know I did! The conference demonstrated what a low-carbon future can be for local travel. The world is changing!



A GEM car classified as a Low Speed Vehicle.
(UC Berkeley’s Parking and Transportation is using GEMs to provide rides for people with disabilities.)

An electric moped

A delivery bike

For local travel at higher speeds. Legally it is a motorcycle.

Electric cargo box bike

The public was invited to test ride vehicles on the second day of the conference









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