In today’s urban landscape, data-driven insights are essential for shaping smarter transportation strategies. bFlex and FlexThis, in partnership with the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), are proud to present our micro mobility data and trends. Our mission is to empower educational initiatives and enhance road safety, providing detailed insights that can help improve urban mobility in Athens.
Key Micro Mobility Insights
- Average Speed: 17,76 km/hr
- Average Trip Length: 2,25 kilometers
- Inclusive Demographics: Our 2021 data shows a gender split of 55.16% to 44.84%.
Vehicle Distribution (Percentages)
- Electric Bikes: 47.2%
- Kick Scooters: 27.2%
- City Bicycles: 24.8%
- eScooters: 0.7%
While electric bikes constitute the largest share among our micro mobility options, the data reflects a balanced ecosystem rather than a single dominant mode of transport in Athens. Micro mobility remains one of several options available, complementing other transportation methods in the city.
Cars Versus Micro Mobility in Congested Athens
Navigating through Athens during rush hour is challenging for all road users. According to Yahoo Finance, congestion is the second biggest frustration for Athenians. During peak traffic, cars move at an average speed around 20 km/hr (vs. 17,76 km/hr of our micro mobility), however in the most congested inner-city areas they even come to a near standstill. This slow pace generally contributes to overall safety, as reduced speeds help mitigate the severity of accidents.
Our internal analysis further supports this observation. Our subscribers have collectively cycled more than 1,000,000 kilometers throughout Athens. Over this extensive mileage, only two incidents were recorded:
- One confrontation with a cardoor opening resulted in a knee injury.
- One collision incident involved only damage to a kick scooter.
When viewed in the context of over 1,000,000 kilometers cycled, these two incidents represent an exceptionally low incident rate, underscoring the safety of micro mobility even in congested conditions.
Emerging Trends in Micro Mobility
Our extensive data not only details current performance metrics but also reveals important trends in urban transportation:
- Balanced Usage: Although electric bikes account for 47.2% of the micro mobility options, kick scooters and city bicycles contribute significantly, reflecting a diverse range of choices rather than a single dominant mode.
- Integration into Urban Planning: With congestion impacting all road users, urban planners are increasingly incorporating micro mobility data to design strategies that alleviate traffic and improve safety.
- Sustainability and Efficiency: The fact that our community has cycled over 1,000,000 kilometers in Athens highlights the practical benefits of micro mobility in reducing congestion and promoting sustainable transport.
- Data-Driven Insights: Ongoing analysis of real-world usage patterns is paving the way for more informed, adaptive policies that address the unique challenges of urban congestion.
Conclusion
In the congested heart of Athens—where cars often crawl or stand still—micro mobility offers a safe and efficient alternative. The data from bFlex and FlexThis, in collaboration with NTUA, confirms that the lower speeds observed during rush hour contribute to safer outcomes.
Looking ahead, we are committed to delivering additional data sets and more comprehensive insights to NTUA to facilitate deeper analysis of urban mobility trends. Through continued collaboration and data-driven innovation, we aim to transform Athens’ transportation landscape into one that is smarter, safer, and more sustainable for everyone.
Click here for mobility trends: https://amob.ntua.gr/mobility/
