Analysis of barriers in Adoption of Shared Micromobility in India: An Interpretive Structural modelling approach

Abstract

Micromobility is emerging at a fast pace in India with many companies investing in this start-ups space. Many cities have introduced shared electric bikes and scooters with perceived benefits of less air and noise pollution, reduction in traffic congestion and as a faster independent alternate mode of transport. With benefits also come challenges in form of “lack of infrastructure”, “government support”, “public safety”, and so on. By overcoming these challenges, this means of transport would gain popularity and people at large would accept and adopt it. This study aims at finding and evaluating the relationship between the barriers which affects the adoption of micromobility in Indian context. The barriers and their relationships were identified based on the literature review done and interviews conducted with operations heads (in the city), managers and associate level employees of a few shared electric mobility companies. There after Interpretive Structural Modelling and MICMAC analysis was conducted based on these inputs. Hence, this study provides an overview of the challenges in the adoption of micromobility and the relationship between of these challenges. This study shows the presence of linkages between the challenges. Hence addressing a few challenges could implicitly address other problems, which could save on resources. Results of this study provides important insights for regulation and policy related to micromobility. An understanding of the barriers would enable better infrastructure planning and policy making by government, practitioners and researchers