In March 2026, the partners of the ZCI – Zero Carbon Infrastructure project gathered in Rotterdam for a Capacity Building Event. We focused on the topic of micro-mobility and user behavior regarding electric vehicle charging.

The event took place at Erasmus University Rotterdam, and in addition to expert presentations, participants also took part in a study visit to urban mobility hubs.

Rotterdam as an example of modern mobility development

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and an interesting example of urban mobility development. After World War II, the city was almost completely destroyed and subsequently rebuilt, which is why it now has wide roads and a transportation infrastructure that was originally designed primarily for cars. Recently, the city has been actively promoting sustainable forms of mobility, such as cycling, shared micromobility, and integration with public transit.

At the meeting, a representative of the city administration presented how Rotterdam manages shared mobility systems. Service providers, such as shared e-bikes or mopeds, obtain a special permit to operate, but do not receive public funds from the city. In return, they must provide city authorities with usage data, which helps in planning mobility solutions.

An interesting example of how regulation affects user habits is the introduction of mandatory helmets for mopeds, following which their use decreased significantly, while the use of electric bikes, where helmets are not required, increased.

Mobility Hubs as the Key to Organized Public Space

One of the key solutions being developed by Rotterdam is a network of mobility hubs. These enable parking and the use of various forms of shared mobility in a single location, preventing vehicles from being scattered throughout public space.

There are currently approximately 170 mobility hubs in operation in the city, often near public transit stations or at locations with a high number of users, such as university campuses or near major events.

Data from Rotterdam reveals several interesting findings:

• the number of vehicle rentals is higher than operators expected,
• vandalism is less than initially anticipated,
• use of the hubs often increases over time as users get accustomed to the system.

Hubs perform best near public transit hubs and in areas hosting major events—for example, near the De Kuip stadium during Feyenoord soccer matches. Hubs located deeper within residential neighborhoods, however, generally have fewer users.

It is also interesting to note that major road construction projects often boost the use of micromobility, as residents seek alternative modes of travel during traffic closures.

Once construction is complete and traffic returns to normal, micromobility usage in some areas drops slightly again, indicating that passengers are returning to trams and other forms of public transportation. Of course, usage is also influenced by weather conditions.

The Role of Private Providers

Lime, one of the largest global providers of shared micromobility, also presented its experiences. Lime was founded in the U.S., where the environment is not particularly conducive to bicycle use. In contrast, in the Netherlands and London, it identified a profitable business model that works successfully precisely because of cyclist-friendly policies, well-developed infrastructure, and efficient and complementary public transit.

According to their data, there are more than 46,000 vehicles in shared mobility systems in the Netherlands, and the country is considered one of the most important European markets due to its developed cycling infrastructure, good public transit connectivity, and clear regulatory environment.

Usage statistics in Rotterdam show that e-bike rental systems often complement public transport. A large proportion of trips consists of so-called “first-mile / last-mile” mobility, where users take a bike for the journey from home to a public transport station or from the station to their final destination.

Field Visit to Mobility Solutions

The afternoon portion of the event was dedicated to a study visit to mobility hubs around the city. Participants traveled between locations on rented electric bikes, thereby directly experiencing the system in practice.

Exchange of best practices for sustainable mobility

The meeting in Rotterdam provided ZCI project partners with insight into how cities can develop effective micromobility systems through proper regulation and collaboration with private providers. Such solutions can contribute to reduced traffic congestion, improved accessibility, and lower transportation emissions.

The project partners will apply the experience and best practices gained to the further development of sustainable mobility solutions in their regions.