How micromobility data from bFlex is used to study safety trends in Athens

How micromobility data from bFlex is used to study safety trends in Athens

Urban mobility is changing fast, but understanding how it changes, and whether it becomes safer, requires more than assumptions. It requires real-world data, collected consistently, at scale, and over time.

Since 2024, bFlex (FlexThis) has been sharing anonymised micromobility data with the Athens Mobility Observatory (AMOB) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). This collaboration supports academic research into safety trends, usage patterns, and the future of micromobility in Athens.

Rather than positioning micromobility as an abstract concept, the research uses operational data generated by everyday riders, vendors, and fleets active in the city.

Why micromobility data matters for urban safety

Athens is a complex mobility environment. Narrow streets, mixed traffic, limited cycling infrastructure, and seasonal tourism create conditions where safety outcomes cannot be inferred from infrastructure plans alone.

To evaluate real safety trends, researchers need:

• Actual trip volumes, not projections
• Real incident patterns, not anecdotal reports
• Time-based comparisons across seasons
• Data covering different vehicle types and use cases

This is where marketplace-level micromobility data becomes relevant.

What data bFlex contributes

bFlex operates as an e-mobility marketplace connecting independent vendors with riders across Athens and other regions. Through daily operations, the platform generates structured data that reflects real usage conditions.

The shared dataset includes, in aggregated and anonymised form:

• Percentage distribution per vehicle category (bicycles, e-bikes, other micromobility vehicles)
• Distance travelled per month, aggregated at platform level
• Temporal patterns, including seasonality and time-of-day trends
• Location data at a broad area level (city zones rather than precise routes)

No personal data is shared. Individual riders, vendors, and specific routes cannot be identified. The focus is on patterns, not people.

This approach aligns with European data protection standards while still allowing meaningful analysis.

How NTUA uses this data

The Athens Mobility Observatory (AMOB) at NTUA combines bFlex data with other urban mobility datasets to study:

• Safety trends related to micromobility adoption
• The relationship between usage density and incident risk
• How micromobility integrates into existing transport systems
• Policy-relevant indicators for cities transitioning to low-emission transport

In February 2025, NTUA published research examining micromobility safety trends in Athens, explicitly referencing bFlex / FlexThis as a data contributor.

This positions bFlex not as a commentator on urban mobility, but as a primary data source supporting academic evaluation.

Why this data is considered reliable

From a research perspective, data quality depends on consistency and context.

bFlex data meets these criteria because:

• It is generated through actual transactions and trips, not surveys
• It reflects multiple vendors, not a single operator
• It covers both local residents and visitors
• It spans different seasons and demand cycles
• It is collected continuously through platform operations

This reduces sampling bias and makes the dataset suitable for longitudinal analysis.

From marketplace operations to public insight

The collaboration with NTUA reflects a broader principle behind bFlex.

Micromobility platforms do not only facilitate access to vehicles. When operated transparently and at scale, they also generate insights that cities, researchers, and policymakers can use to make informed decisions.

By sharing anonymised operational data with academic institutions, bFlex contributes to:

• Evidence-based mobility planning
• Safety-focused infrastructure discussions
• Objective evaluation of micromobility impact

This is especially relevant in cities like Athens, where micromobility adoption is growing faster than formal infrastructure.

A long-term collaboration, not a one-off study

The partnership with NTUA and the Athens Mobility Observatory is ongoing. As bFlex expands its network of vendors and regions, the dataset becomes richer, allowing more accurate trend analysis over time.

This long-term perspective is essential. Safety outcomes and behavioural shifts do not appear overnight. They emerge gradually, through repeated patterns across years.

Why this matters for riders and cities

For riders, this research-backed approach translates into:

• Better-informed safety discussions
• Transparent understanding of micromobility risks and benefits
• Platforms that take responsibility beyond transactions

For cities and institutions, it provides:

• Independent, real-world data
• A clearer picture of micromobility’s role in urban transport
• A basis for collaboration rather than speculation

Micromobility will continue to evolve in Athens. Ensuring it evolves safely requires cooperation between operators, researchers, and cities.

By contributing real-world data to NTUA’s research, bFlex plays a small but concrete role in shaping that future, grounded in evidence rather than assumptions.