Grace Packard urban micromobility

This afternoon we had the privilege to sit down with Grace Packard to discuss the transport challenges of the urban environment, especially around micromobility.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/packardgrace/

Grace Packard is a principal consultant at momentum transport consultancy. Having focussed for the last two years in the world of micromobility.

The traveling public:

The exciting time to be within this fast changing industry and the public are more aware of their traveling habits along with their modes of transportation.

Why independence matters in transport consultancy:

Grace believes that true independence in consultancy is the key strength as a transport consultant. Bringing clarity on operators and providers as well as technology. Along with understanding how the range of local authorities and councils work.

This independance brings rigor to the aim of effectively trying to move the transport away from specifically private car journeys for the short trips and onto alternative modes.

The Council's challenge according to Grace

Local Councils have a challenge as they earn a reasonable amount of income from the use of cars. With over 100 years of car use and income there is a lot of unwinding to do.

The challenge local authorities have is as they need to try to encourage a shift away from car use whilst ensuring alternative ways to travel are in place, accessible and affordable.

Reducing Carbon Emissions

While on a seperate agenda they are a mandate to reduce carbon emissions which doesn't always mean encouraging a reduction of car use but rather a switch to electric. Simply replacing one for one however will stop short of delivering all the benefits modal shift can deliver, including the reclaiming of street space and the reduction in congestion.

The successful rise of micromobility in a community is a chicken and egg situation.

With the local authority providing the context and policy for micromobility operators to thrive. (See Three is the magic number)

People are at the heart of transport planning:

Transport planning asks how are people going to travel to the new developments and how can the developers encourage the range of modes that is not the car. While giving them as much mobility solutions as possible.

While it is exceedingly tempting to put in more car infracture. The nature and ease of car use will mean the car becomes more dominant irrespective of other modes.

Grace goes on to say subtle urban design improvements often make a massive difference in changing people's habits to a healthy, more sustainable and ultimately funner form of mobility. Ultimately tt is the responsibility of the urban planners with the built environment that allows alternative car use and ubititqious mobility to thrive.

A simple case study of good practice according to Grace is the Verde building in Victoria. Which provides a secure cycle parking solution along with a cycle pump and service equipment to be used by users of the building.

The UK's travel culture:

In some way we need to totally change our culture. Holland has the highest bicycle use in the world partly down to their culture and we can learn a lot about cultural pathology of transport in holland.