The ways Akron-area residents move — on a micro level — as they use e-scooters and other small, wheeled methods of transport is now part of a report from the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study.
The February report, which uses data from 2022-2025, explores the emergence of micromobility as a mode of transportation in Akron and Kent and offers recommendations for deploying it safely and efficiently throughout the region.
In AMATS’ service area, the shared micromobility market — which offers short-term e-bike and e-scooter rentals — is available in Akron and Kent and is operated entirely by Spin.
Spin is a subsidiary of Bird Global, North America’s largest shared micromobility provider, and oversees all of the equipment and operations.
Spin has operated in Akron and on the University of Akron’s campus since 2020 with a fleet of 400 e-scooters. The company began operating in Kent and on the Kent State University campus in 2022 with 100 e-bikes and 300 e-scooters.
Micromobility is defined by the Federal Highway Administration as “any small, low-speed, human or electric-powered transportation device, including bicycles, scooters, electric-assist bicycles [e-bikes], electric scooters [e-scooters] and other small, lightweight, wheeled conveyances.”
It’s considered a relatively new mode of transportation that first emerged in North America around 2010.
The report primarily focuses on shared e-scooters, but it also considers similar devices such as personally owned one-wheel skateboards and monowheel scooters; bicycles are mostly excluded from the study because they are covered in detail in the agency’s 2024 Active Transportation Plan.
Akron Documenter Melanie Mohler discovered this report while working on another regional transportation story following a spring AMATS meeting.
Electric scooters increase access to convenient urban transportation
In Akron, the number of e-scooter rides peaked in 2023, with 144,749 rides. The average ride time was 10.54 minutes, and the average distance traveled was 0.71 miles. Last year, Akron had 99,850 total rides with an average ride time of 9.23 minutes. The average distance traveled was 0.57 miles.
The cost to rent an e-scooter in Akron includes a $1 unlock fee and a per-minute cost that ranges from $0.29 to $0.39. Riders handle payment and unlocking scooters through the Spin mobile app.
The report also notes personally owned e-scooters are increasingly popular and make up a significant portion of the micromobility market, although the data presented is from shared micromobility devices.
Micromobility has increased access to flexible and convenient transportation in urban areas, particularly on college campuses and high areas of tourism. Some advantages include closing gaps in fixed public transportation routes, reducing the need for personal-use vehicle parking and potentially serving as a means of transportation for underserved populations.
Micromobility also has its challenges, and safety remains one of the biggest concerns. Some of these devices can reach speeds up to 20 mph, and the lack of infrastructure can lead to crashes. Shared micromobility devices can also make walkways inaccessible depending on where a rider abandons the device.
The report’s recommendations to enhance micromobility
AMATS’ recommendations are to build a sustainable network in the region that allows for these devices to safely, efficiently and comfortably travel through the transportation system, followed by outreach and encouragement to develop and promote micromobility.
Strategies include increasing the number of bike lanes, maintaining good pavement conditions and organizing or participating in public events to promote micromobility.
Other recommendations consider creating access to micromobility parking, obtaining and analyzing shared micromobility use data and considering guiding principles for regulating micromobility.
Although micromobility has rarely been deployed at a scale to significantly shift transportation modes, AMATS notes that the potential exists.
Current data shows that the industry is growing modestly on a national scale and is enduring on a local scale.
