How to easily get started with soft mobility ? bikes? How to include it in your travel dynamics?
And more particularly cycling? Adrien, co-founder of Morio, a company specialising in securing fleets of electric bikes, explains how.
In 2020, in response to the health situation, cycling has become widely available. More than 750 miles of new temporary bike lanes have been created to fight the global pandemic in major European cities.
If bikes seem to be more and more popular, how have travelers integrated soft mobility into their daily habits? The desire to move towards more sustainable transport is gradually taking hold in the vacation world. However, the least sporty among us tend to put off taking their bike. However, getting started is not so difficult when you choose the right practices.
Adrien is co-founder of Morio, a company created in 2017. It brings together experts in securing bike fleets by GPS tracking through a unique technology and insurance. In particular, their insurance service allows to protect against theft and to find the bikes in case of theft or to reimburse them.
During the health crisis, many public transport users turned to cycling. Indeed, it is perceived as protective measures. In the last few years, the plebiscite for “more sensible mobility” has been growing with the rise of ecological awareness. With the pandemic, cycling has taken the lead over public transport and carpooling.
Since March 2020, many users have been won over and have definitely adopted this means of daily transportation. The number of bicycle sales has exploded, as has the need for repairs. But this phenomenon was already in the making. A transition from bikes was in fact started almost 5 years ago.
Revolutions rarely emerge from a single criterion, we must always consider the whole – Adrien.
In the tourism sector, on the other hand, a real turning point can be observed for the bicycle. By strengthening local soft mobility, the crisis has led to the discovery of new ways of getting around on vacation. It is a question of “spicing up” a holiday with new activities. They allow you to discover natural treasures, unsuspected in France.
Cycling shows green indicators when it comes to carbon emissions. However, in order to hold all the cards, we need to look at its ecological footprint throughout the life cycle of the product (design, use, recycling). Although bicycles are the most energy-efficient means of transportation, their impact on the environment is not zero. Indeed, the assembly parts are created and assembled in China. This implies a lot of exports, and more and more bikes are being assembled in Europe, which is also socially beneficial.
Once the bike is in your hands, it no longer has an ecological impact and you can enjoy eco-friendly travel. However, an electric bike can be very energy consuming. However, they have a better carbon footprint than the car. Like the electric scooter, these new soft mobility attract more and more neophytes. It is a first step, gently, towards an ecological transition.
To go further, it is possible to extend the life of a bike. Many second-hand bikes are abandoned in garages waiting to be refurbished. It is easy to find repair stores and even specialized associations nearby.
The environmental impacts of cycling are lower, but it also has several benefits for tourists:
Healthy mind, healthy body: it allows to reach the balance on the psychological level. In the open air, you feel better and your mind is set free. Cycling allows you to spend a precious moment where you find yourself (almost) completely disconnected. In a world that goes so fast, soft mobility allows to release the pressure.
Despite a change in collective awareness, cycling can still repel the least sporty. They are afraid to get on and put off the moment of getting on the bike.
You now have all the information you need to prepare your next green journey, on your marks, get set, go!
