Supporting Brent Council to roll out its network of micromobility bays
We’re all seeing a growing market of micromobility transport options out there on our city streets. You just pay through an app and hop on an e-bike or e-scooter that will get you to where you want to go, free of tail pipe emissions. This is great for our convenience and contributes to government efforts to reduce our carbon footprint. Plus, you don’t need to own a bike to get around by bike now.
Embracing and managing the growth of micromobility
In collaboration with highways experts, City Infinity, we have been working with Brent Council in north-west London to identify the most suitable locations in the borough for micromobility parking bays.
The council wanted to embrace the growth of sustainable transport in the borough. They wanted to make it convenient for people choosing to use dockless e-bikes and scooters. They also wanted to ensure that streets remained clear for pedestrians to navigate without the worry of having their path blocked by carelessly parked dockless e-bikes and e-scooters.
Project methodology
We followed a structured, multi-phase approach, beginning with data-led identification of high-priority areas. For an accurate picture of where and how people were traveling, we used demographic, transport accessibility and operator trip data.
Following our analysis of the data we collected, we shortlisted potential parking bay locations. In our analysis, we considered accessibility, demand, safety and deliverability.
Our team conducted on-site feasibility checks. They approved sites for detailed CAD designs and Series 1200 Traffic Signs drawings to guide implementation of the bays.
Road safety assessment
We worked with City Infinity to develop a customised Road Safety Audit (RSA) template to ensure consistency in identifying, documenting, and addressing safety risks across all locations.
Each site was visited to assess principal hazards such as vehicle–pedestrian conflicts, poor visibility and infrastructure limitations.
Risks were scored using a structured risk matrix method, with recommendations for mitigation and ongoing monitoring where necessary.
We compiled our findings were into site-specific RSA reports and attached them to the corresponding site drawings to inform their safe and practical implementation.
Millions of dockless bike trips are being made every year
Last year there were 28 million dockless bike trips in London. Brent reports that Lime electric bikes have been used by over 100,000 people for almost 2 million cycle trips across the borough since 2019.
The council recognises that people choosing the micromobility option are helping to reduce carbon emissions by choosing this way of getting around.
Brent’s story is in our latest newsletter, where you can read more about how we can help you deliver your active travel programmes.
Contact us
If you would like support with planning and delivering your micromobility programme, get in touch with us and we’ll work with you to make micromobility a success in your borough: info@mpsmartertravel.co.uk