KINTO Join – a provider of sustainable mobility applications – today reveals the findings of its survey which found that 45% of commuters in Ireland find their journey to work or university stressful.
The research – conducted by Censuswide and involving 1,000 people who commute to work or university in the Republic of Ireland – found that more than half (51%) have considered changing their commute method. However, 48% have never tried a different mode of transport for their commute.
Traffic delays and congestion were cited by 44% of commuters as one of their biggest frustrations. The other leading frustrations were fuel costs (30%), the time lost having to commute (30%), the weather (29%), and delays with services (15%).
Driving by car is the most popular primary mode of transport (51%) among commuters. However, only 16% prefer to travel this way. If available, the bus was the most preferred means of commuting (25%), followed by the train (24%) and walking (23%). One in ten (10%) respondents said they would prefer a company or university shuttle.
In urban areas, driving by car and getting the bus were tied for the top spot as the most popular primary mode of transport (at 32% respectively). In terms of generations, almost twice as many Generation X commuters drive by car (63%) than Generation Z commuters (32%).
Of those who commute by car, 91% always or mostly do so alone. Their top reasons for travelling to work or university by car are that it is more time-efficient (48%), it is the only option (43%), and inadequate public transport accessibility (34%).
The study found that the average daily commute time is around 1 hour and 10 minutes, whilst the average daily cost is €10. Train commuters have the most expensive journey to work or university (€13.14). At the other end of the scale, (excluding walkers) eBike commuters have the least expensive commute (€4.71).
As for the average distance of a one-way commute, this is just shy of 17km, with those in Roscommon (30.56km), Wicklow (24.97km), and Westmeath (23.76km) travelling furthest. Meanwhile, respondents in Longford (6.13km), Waterford (9.58km), and Donegal (11km) have the shortest distances to travel.
Patrizia Niehaus, CEO, KINTO Join Ltd, said:“It’s ironic that while so many commuters in Ireland drive alone out of necessity, a significant number would actually prefer not to. They’re frustrated – by traffic, rising fuel costs, and the stress of it all – but don’t feel they have another choice. Of course, large-scale infrastructure upgrades are vital, but they take time. In the meantime, the congestion worsens, and emissions reduction targets slip further out of reach. That’s why action at the micro-level is so critical.
“A large share of short-distance travel happens for work and education. Employers and institutions are uniquely positioned to support more sustainable commuting through initiatives like shared transport schemes, carpooling platforms, or incentives for walking and cycling. When organisations take the lead, they not only support their own sustainability goals, but also drive behavioural change that benefits entire communities — cutting emissions, easing traffic, and giving people what they clearly want: the freedom not to drive alone.”
Golden Ride, the high-tech electric micro-mobility brand from globally renowned sustainable transportation pioneer Terravision Electric, has enhanced its operations in the UK following the launch of an innovative and wide-ranging maintenance and servicing program designed specifically for eBikes and eScooters.
The highly comprehensive package has been created to offer customers total ‘peace-of-mind’ throughout their eBike and eScooter ownership journey, eliminating concerns they might have on the safety and operational lifetime functionality of their eMobility products, encompassing all mechanical, electrical, hardware and software aspects.
Such a complete aftersales approach from Golden Ride serves to maintain the highest of safety levels of eBikes and eScooters while further enhancing reliability, performance and lifespan. The program is also available to customers with non-electric bikes of any brand as part of Golden Ride’s duty of care outlook for the wider micro-mobility community.
“The formation of Golden Ride was primarily driven by the need to create truly sustainable and affordable micro-mobility solutions that will help transform our urban areas,” says Niccolò Petroni, commercial director at Golden Ride. “But unlike so many other brands in this congested space, offering the market a high-tech but affordable product range is just one aspect to the Golden Ride eMobility vision, which is why we invested and opened a flagship store in London and today we’re delighted to launch our comprehensive maintenance and servicing eMobility program.
“We strongly feel that waving goodbye to the customer at a point of sale – be that for an eBike or eScooter; online or in the Golden Ride flagship store – just isn’t good enough. As a community-focused company we want to be with the customer throughout their ownership journey, making sure their chosen eMobility products remain at optimum operating levels across all key attributes – safety, reliability, functionality and performance. Our all-encompassing maintenance and servicing program guarantees total ‘peace-of-mind’ for the customer.”
Golden Ride implements total customer care
The new maintenance and servicing program launched by Golden Ride gives the burgeoning UK eMobility market access to a complete and high-tech aftersales service for eBikes and eScooters that is also dedicated to total customer care.
Overseen by leading eMobility technicians based at Golden Ride’s flagship store in London, the maintenance and servicing program has been designed to operate on a highly efficient yet detail-driven basis, offering customers access to high-level electric and mechanical eMobility engineering expertise.
A state-of-the-art electromechanical workshop – currently under development within Golden Ride’s flagship store – will soon become the brand’s hub for its all-encompassing aftersales, maintenance, servicing and customer care initiatives. When completed, the workshop will be equipped with advanced technologies and industry-leading tools.
The service, which has been designed to be rapid, launches with customers not needing to make any prior appointments – the Golden Ride technician team are on-hand each day during the flagship store’s regular business hours. Alternatively, customers can also message the technician team via WhatsApp on 07549 390 561.
A detailed diagnostic examination is performed on the customer’s eMobility product – the cost of which is just £25.00; this initial fee is then deducted from the price of the maintenance and service operations should the customer at that stage wish to proceed.
To maintain the highest safety standards of eBikes and eScooters, it’s advised that a safety inspection is undertaken between major mechanical services. As part of Golden Ride’s new aftersales customer care package, the brand’s complete safety inspection service sees the customer’s eBike or eScooter comprehensively assessed for state of health, functionality and performance.
Following the evaluation, the eBike or eScooter is then restored and advanced to optimal working conditions. This tailored customer care initiative comprises a full safety check of the frame, wheels and brakes – including a thorough inspection for damage and movement; frames and forks analysed for imperfections; wheels and tyres examined for wear; wheels and rims assessed for condition of use; chain tested and lubricated; and the gears and brakes optimally tuned.
‘Out with the old, in with the electric’ exchange
Golden Ride’s compelling ‘Out with the old, in with the electric’ offer has been extended in the lead-up to the busy Christmas period.
The exchange presents customers with the opportunity to take their old non-electric bikes into Golden Ride’s flagship store in London for an accurate pricing evaluation undertaken by the company’s expert eMobility tech team. The valuation of the old non-electric bike is then used as credit and exchanged for a new Golden Ride eBike or eScooter.
Philippe Grousset, director of operations for the Golden Ride flagship store in London, added: “Golden Ride’s journey into the UK market is only 12 months old but in that time we’ve made incredible progress: we’ve invested in a physical flagship store in London; we’ve launched a range of eBikes including our outstanding Classic Touring Bike; and we’ve recently introduced the A6 Pro, an eScooter that is already proving to be very popular. Today we’re adding the next element to the brand’s eMobility vision: comprehensive maintenance and servicing packages tailored for the customer.
“And by extending our ‘Out with the old, in with the electric’ exchange service, Golden Ride is continuing to support the growing eMobility community, helping as many people as possible to embrace sustainable micro-mobility solutions that will help revolutionize and revitalize our urban landscape.”
Golden Ride, the high-tech electric micro-mobility brand from globally renowned sustainable mobility pioneer Terravision Electric, has launched an all-new state-of-the-art eScooter in the UK.
The A6 Pro combines an array of leading attributes that make the Golden Ride eScooter an exciting choice for consumers, in the process ensuring it has a unique standpoint in an urban mobility sector that is already congested and largely repetitive in terms of product offerings.
Setting the A6 Pro apart from current eScooter products available in the UK is its compelling combination of being an affordable zero-emissions mobility solution that has impressive real-world performance; an advanced electric drivetrain; outstanding safety and comfort features; and a contemporary aesthetic that is not only immersed in Golden Ride’s Italian heritage but also takes on a form that is practical and flexible.
Designed specifically for the urban mobility space, the A6 Pro’s competitive pricing point doesn’t come with a compromise on real-world performance capabilities.
The eScooter has more than ample range to navigate with ease around large cities such as London. The A6 Pro’s 25km range makes it possible, for example, to go from the iconic Clapham Common in South London to the serene Hampsted Heath in North London on one charge and with plenty of power to spare. Likewise, the A6 Pro’s range also connects East to West London, allowing for a journey from the Olympic Park to Kensington High Street to be seamlessly undertaken. The electric drivetrain is rated at 350W allowing for fast acceleration and a top speed of 25km/h. The battery pack, which features a full battery management system overseeing critical safety functions, takes six hours to recharge, with the battery’s voltage being 36V – 7.5Ah.
The A6 Pro features three ‘driving’ modes, further underscoring the eScooter’s wide-ranging adaptability in a variety of urban environments. There is the ‘Economy Low Gear’ mode that caps a speed limit of 6km/h, making the eScooter highly applicable for leisurely outings, social rides and in congested city centres where total safety awareness is paramount. The second mode is ‘Normal Mid Gear’ that allows for a top speed of 15km/h, transforming the A6 Pro into a mobility solution that is ideal for when quick errands need to be made. The final drive mode – ‘Fast High Gear’ – allows for the range-topping 25km/h maximum speed to be achieved, making the A6 Pro the perfect urban transportation companion for people on-the-go. An added feature to the Golden Ride eScooter is cruise control, which serves to boost journey convenience and ease of travel.
The A6 Pro’s sleek aesthetic allows it to seamlessly fit into the stylistic and contemporary urban environment landscape. A functional depth to the eScooter’s design further compliments the streamlined treatment, ensuring a hassle-free commuting experience thanks to an easy-to-fold operation that is performed in just three quick and simple movements, meaning that the eScooter can be carried trouble-free onto busy and crowded trains.
Weighing just 16kg, the A6 Pro has optimal dimensions – 1,127mm height; 440mm width; and 1,190mm length – to allow it to take an impressive maximum payload of 100Kg.
“The launch of our all-new eScooter – the A6 Pro – has come at just the right time for people in the UK that are living, commuting and working in busy and polluted urban environments. The Golden Ride team has designed and developed the A6 Pro to be a gamechanger – an affordable zero-emissions mobility solution that comes with no compromise, be that in performance, design, safety, technology, functionality and rideability,” said Niccolò Petroni, commercial director at Golden Ride.
“In the A6 Pro, the UK market has a compelling new eScooter proposition that will positively impact and enhance metropolis areas and communities up and down the country, including in iconic cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Sheffield.”
The high-tech A6 Pro eScooter is now available to order either at Golden Ride’s London flagship store or via Golden Ride’s digital space.
TechBuzzIreland was present at the Discover Xiaomi 2023′ European launch event, held today in Milan, the company announced new AIoT products to enhance the smart experience indoors and outdoos. Among the novelties presented are four new vacuum products, Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E12 (E10 in Ireland), S12 (S10 in Ireland), S10+, X10 and X10+; Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 and 4 Lite, which expand the range of products dedicated to smart mobility; and Xiaomi Pad 6, the all-in-one, powerful and versatile tablet ideal for work and leisure. We had a chance to take a look at pretty much everything what the company has to offer and there is some really cool tech building an excellent ecosystem.
“Xiaomi has always placed its users at the core by providing devices that aim to improve their daily lives, offering the best technology and an increasingly easy and engaging experience. With these new products, we renew our commitment to bring innovation and quality to the industry as we continue to expand our offering and optimise our product portfolio across Western Europe markets” – says Ou Wen, General Manager Xiaomi Western Europe.
When it comes to household chores, an ever increasing number of people are looking for products that can clean quickly, with the option of controlling the parameters via their smartphone. Today, Xiaomi brings four new products to European markets to meet every need, not only in terms of efficiency, but also in terms of price. From entry level to premium devices to give users the widest possible choice.
New Xiaomi Robot Vacuum: increasingly smart, increasingly easy
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10, the latest in Xiaomi’s line of robot vacuum cleaners, is designed to simplify cleaning while ensuring top performance. Equipped with a 5200mAh battery, it provides 180 minutes1 of autonomy on a single charge at maximum suction power.
Combined with its intelligent base station, this versatile cleaning device is also specifically adapted to clean all types of floors thanks to a suction power of 4,000Pa. It is a perfect ally for thorough house cleaning, allowing users to enjoy some free time after a long working day.
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10+ and Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S12(Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10 in Ireland) which expand the S-series and like all S-series and X-series products are equipped with LDS technology for planning an efficient cleaning path, regardless of the size and layout of the home. For those looking for a product with an ultra-slim design, but without sacrificing high suction power, there is Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E12 (Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E10 in Ireland) which allows easy access even under the sofa or bed.
All new models are certified by TÜV Rheinland, guaranteeing the privacy protection for every user.
Prices and availability:
The recommended retail price for Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E12 with accessories (Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E10 in Ireland) is 307.95 Euros and 249.99 Euros for vacuum only. The early bird price will be available from May 22nd to May 28th at 249.99 Euros including accessories.
The recommended retail price for Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S12 with accessories (Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10 in Ireland)is 417.94 Euro and 349.99 Euros for vacuum only. The early bird price will be available from May 22nd to May 28th at 349.99 Euros including accessories.
The recommended retail price for Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10+ is 499.99 Euros for vacuum only.
The recommended retail price for Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10 is 549.99 Euros for vacuum only.
All vacuums will be launching in Ireland, with Harvey Norman, DID and Euronics
Xiaomi also reveals new scooters and the Xiaomi Pad 6 and again we had some hands on with these at the event and cast your mind back to the first e-scooter the brand launched which flew off the shelves and i have had one myself.
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 and 4 Lite: Ride in comfort
Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 line-up expands with two new models, Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 and 4 Lite, respectively equipped with a 600W and 300W motor capable of reaching a maximum speed of 20km/h2. With a capacity of 7,650mAh, Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 is able to cover distances of up to 35 km on a single charge, easily overcoming gradients of up to 16%. The capacity of 4 Lite version, on the other hand, is 5,200mAh, providing a range of 20km.
The drum brake on the rear wheel of Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4 Lite, together with the E-ABS system on the front wheel, reduce the braking distance, thus ensuring greater safety. Xiaomi Electric Scooter 4, on the other hand, features an improved dual-action disc brake on the rear wheel for optimised control efficiency; together with the E-ABS system on the front wheel, the braking distance will be much shorter.
Both products can be connected to the Xiaomi Home app via Bluetooth to check speed and charge in real time, update firmware and monitor driving data.
Xiaomi Pad 6: Built for work, designed for ease
Xiaomi Pad 6 features a thinner and lighter unibody design compared to the previous version and an elegant metal finish. The device is powered by Snapdragon 870 Mobile Platform and is equipped with an 11″ LTPS LCD screen with WQHD+ resolution, up to 144Hz refresh rate, 309 ppi, Dolby Vision® and HDR10 support.
Xiaomi Pad 6 features a 13MP main camera and an 8MP front camera, and is equipped with quad speakers for immersive stereo sound thanks to Dolby Atmos, which guarantees the best experience. The battery has a capacity of 8,840mAh (typ), providing up to 16 hours of video playback, and supports 33W fast charging. Furthermore, thanks to the USB 3.2 Gen 1 supporting speeds of up to 5Gbps and 4K video output at 60fps with DP interface, transferring files to your laptop will be even easier and faster.
Xiaomi Pad 6 front – techbuzzireland
Xiaomi Pad 6 rear – techbuzzireland
Thanks to MIUI Pad 14, the software of the device is optimised to offer the best connectivity and new ‘conference tools’5 such as noise cancellation or the ability to keep faces centred during video conferences by following their movements thanks to the FocusFrame function. Xiaomi Pad 6 is therefore a very versatile device and thanks to the Xiaomi Smart Pen (2nd generation) and Xiaomi Pad 6 Keyboard, the experience can be even smarter! Comfortable then for working, watching videos or movies on the go, but also taking notes in university or drawing outdoors.
The Xiaomi Pad 6 will be available on the European market in three colour variants – Champagne, Gravity Gray and Mist Blue. Prices and availability will be unveiled when sales start as of now the device is not scheduled to release in Ireland
FREE NOW, Europe’s Mobility Super App, announces at the Web Summit 2022 a major milestone: users can now book public transport services through its app as well as taxis, private cars, eScooters, eBikes, eMopeds, and carsharing. As a result, FREE NOW offers all modes of transport from a single source, strengthening its position as Europe’s leading mobility platform with the largest amount of travel options in one app.
The first cooperation enabling access to public transport via the FREE NOW app was signed with Rheinbahn in Germany. FREE NOW users will be able to book tickets for buses, trams, and underground trains directly in the FREE NOW app for all tariff zones of the Rhine-Ruhr Public Transport Association (VRR). The integration completes FREE NOW’s offering of on-demand mobility in one of Germany’s most important metropolitan regions. In fact, with almost 1,100 lines, around 7.8 million inhabitants, and an area of around 7,300 square kilometers, the cooperation with FREE NOW provides access to Europe’s biggest transport network and the largest urban transport area. That includes major German cities like Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Essen, Bochum, Wuppertal, and Duisburg.
To begin with, users will be able to buy single tickets, day passes, and 48-hour passes. The technical integration has already begun. The ticket sales are possible thanks to a partnership with the Dutch aggregator Tranzer.
Further partnerships with other transport companies in Germany and across Europe are planned for 2023.
FREE NOW: Having expanded since 2020, this public transport integration completes urban mobility offering
FREE NOW has continuously expanded its own mobility offering for its users since 2020, in partnership with leading mobility players in Germany and Europe. Through this, the FREE NOW app brings together more than 400,000 vehicles in Europe. This consists of ride-hailing services like taxis and private cars, as well as carsharing, eScooters, eMopeds, and eBikes.
Thomas Zimmermann, CEO at FREE NOW, comments on the new partnership: “We’re pleased that we’re now the first private mobility platform to be able to offer our users public transport tickets in the biggest population and the largest urban transport area in Europe. This is an important next stage for us and, for the first time, we’re enabling end-to-end ticketing for different modes of transport in our app. Linking different mobility offers is crucial to succeed in transforming transportation in Europe. FREE NOW actively supports this as a partner of public transport. Our goal is to make urban mobility in Europe more sustainable, intelligent, and interconnected.”
Commenting on the announcement Niall Carson, General Manager for FREE NOW Ireland said, “The integration of public transport into the FREE NOW app in Germany is a key milestone for the business, and reflective of our ambitions to make multi-modal approaches to transport more accessible across the markets in which we operate. Our goal in Ireland is to mirror the multi-modal progress of our European counterparts like Germany moving forward – building on our first integration of micro-mobility in the Irish market this year with our TIER eBike partnership in Dublin. We intend to continue expanding our offering and transport solutions with eScooters on the horizon along with other mobility options, helping to support a shift in our national approach to daily transport – from car-centric to multi-modal, flexible and sustainable.”
The new travel option is primarily aimed at remote workers who only travel to their place of work occasionally, as well as business travellers or tourists. For example, almost 30% of all FREE NOW passengers use the app in cities they travel to occasionally. As a platform that’s active across Europe, the company can contribute to strengthening both public transport and the environmental alliance in the long term.
FREE NOW users do not need to create a new account to book and pay for public transport. They can simply use their existing customer account.
Today, UK micromobility startup bo announces its first product, the bo M. bo M is a radical rethink and total redesign of the e-scooter, introducing the single biggest innovation leap in scooter technology: Safesteer™.
With electric scooters traditionally seen as unsafe and unreliable, bo exists to set new standards in safety, comfort and design. bo M is the world’s first electric scooter focused on empowering people to transition out from their cars.
“We spent 3 years developing the bo M for everyone who can see the potential of the e-scooter, but who finds today’s scooters too unsafe, impractical for daily use, or simply not well designed” says Oscar Morgan, bo CEO. “Our mission has been to develop game-changing features and safety enhancements such as Safesteer, whilst using our experience in automotive design to build a scooter people feel proud to own and ride.
Grounded in safety, bo M features Safesteer™ riding stabilisation alongside the 360 degree Light Halo system. For unrivalled comfort the bo M uses Airdeck and refined vehicle geometry with a generous wheelbase, optimised steerer angle and wide handlebars. Finally, challenging traditional scooter design, the unique bo Monocurve chassis and seamless feature integration combine to deliver an exceptional commuting experience.
The new safety standard | SafesteerTM
A world first in electric scooters, bo is introducing active riding stabilisation with SafesteerTM technology, setting the benchmark for control and confidence.
The technology stabilises and smoothes the steering across bumps, dips and potholes to keep the rider in perfect control.
This fundamental shift in vehicle dynamics means the single greatest concern of new and experienced e-scooter riders is eliminated.
Light Signature | 360 Light Halo 360 degree Light Halo and high power headlight for forward visibility
bo’s distinctive Daytime Running Light (DRL) wraps around the Monocurve chassis to create Light Halo, a world first in the sector: 360 degree light visibility. This signature design dramatically increases road presence and awareness from other road users.
Alongside Light Halo, a powerful secondary headlight illuminates the road ahead, while a wide-angle high-lumen rear light keeps you seen from behind, flashing brightly when users brake.
Comfort | Airdeck
Searching for an optimised solution to ride comfort led to bo M’s engineered elastomer Airdeck, based on the same material technology found in high performance running trainers. The lightweight deck panel is tuned to remove road vibrations – removing the need for complex and ineffective suspension systems.
With 50km of range, all day riding comfort is the priority: Airdeck, plus wide pneumatic tyres keep the road bumps out. Additionally, the bo M geometry is optimised for stability and ergonomics, including wider handlebar at 580mm, a generous 930mm wheelbase for more standing room, and a 76 degree steering angle for naturally controlled dynamics.
Punctures are a common commuter concern, so the bo M is specified with high quality tubeless pneumatic tyres – eliminating pinch punctures and maximising grip on the road.
The shape of things to come | Monocurve chassis
Reshaping the electric scooter with bo’s unique Monocurve chassis represents a foundational shift in vehicle design and engineering – the single greatest sector advancement since electric scooters arrived in our cities.
Alongside strength and reliability, bo M’s aluminium chassis has been designed to enable every innovation, from Safesteer to Lock and Load, Light Halo to Airdeck, without adding complexity for the user.
The unbroken Monocurve chassis is the first structure in this sector designed to true automotive principles, seamlessly combining function with design
Harry Wills, bo CTO added, “Aware that to some it is controversial, we made a conscious decision to eliminate the fold, launching bo M with an unbroken Monocurve chassis.
“bo M is designed for commuters travelling home to work who value exceptional ride, safety and reliability above all else. Creating this new category, between a traditional e-scooter and an e-bike, our research discovered that the majority of people seldom or never use the fold. It represented a point of weakness, so that directed us to this final design”
Bags of potential | Lock and Load
E-scooter riders no longer have to be restricted to a backpack. The bo Monocurve chassis does not twist as you steer, keeping luggage hooked on the two secure load hooks stable and swing-free while you ride.
The hidden, built-in steel dual mount system doubles as a locking point – making it simple to secure the bo M with confidence using a standard D-lock. For full peace of mind should the owner lose sight of their bo M, the bosecure system of GPS tracking, motor locking, loud anti-tamper alarms and mobile notifications kick in.
The bo M is available for pre-order from bo.world. RRP £1,995 or £69 p/m. Shipping Spring ‘23
Lime – the world’s largest shared electric vehicle company – has today announced the establishment of an Irish Disability Advisory Board ahead of its expected rollout of e-scooter and e-bike sharing services in Irish towns and cities next year.
The Irish Wheelchair Association and the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) will be founding members of the board, which will also be supported by local cycling organisations. The group is being established to help ensure that Lime’s for-hire e-scooter and e-bike services are designed in a safe and responsible way, without negatively impacting local residents or visitors with disabilities or access needs. Lime welcomes further applications from relevant organisations to the Board.
John Fulham, Public Engagement Manager for the Irish Wheelchair Association said, “Irish Wheelchair Association welcomes the opportunity to be involved in Lime’s Irish Disability Advisory Board, where we can offer our advice and represent the voice of people with disabilities as the country prepares for the official introduction of e-scooters in Ireland. It is important that the voice of disabled people is heard and represented in the discussions from as early a stage as is possible.”
Lorna Fitzpatrick, Advocacy and Engagement Manager at NCBI said, “NCBI is happy to participate in Lime’s Irish Disability Advisory Board to share our views that are reflective of the experiences of people who are blind or vision impaired across the country. It is of paramount importance that the experiences of people living with sight loss and all people with access and mobility requirements are heard and considered as Lime prepares to create a presence in Ireland.”
Hal Stevenson, Lime Senior Public Affairs Manager for Lime in Ireland said, “Safety and inclusivity are central to Lime’s services, wherever we operate, so we’re really proud to be setting up our Irish Disability Advisory Board ahead of the launch of our services here next year. Each organisation provides a different perspective, and their insights and opinions will help us to design and deliver services that can have a positive impact across all communities.”
The Board’s first meeting will take place in July and will meet on a quarterly basis thereafter. Minutes and actions will be recorded during each meeting and shared with Lime’s partner local authorities to ensure full transparency and accountability. The group will be consulted ahead of Lime implementing any new products or service changes in Ireland. Lime will also provide opportunities for the Board to collaborate with its pre-existing Northern European Disability Advisory Board.
Following recent delays to e-scooter legislation in Ireland, Lime is expecting to launch services here in 2023. Commenting on delays to the Government’s legislation to regulate e-scooters, Stevenson added, “the delays to legislation are unfortunate and prevent safer and more sustainable use of e-scooters in Ireland. Lime is using this additional time to work with the policy makers to ensure that when regulations are passed they are progressive and proportionate, helping to create a future of transport in Ireland that is shared, green and affordable.”
Need a little something to take your device out of your hand well this accessory is what you need to look at now, the Cocoda phone holder for motorbikes e-scooter and bikes is just the thing, lets be honest when have we not seen either above holding their phone on the go, this product eliminates this altogether keeping you and the driver safer which is what we all want and with the huge growth in e-scooter users yes this also works on those to with how they are mounted and east to set up and maneuver into the position best suited to you.
This comes in several parts and has a ball joint socket on the rear and is easy to move around, you have rubber gripping so it will not damage your phone and a sturdy mount in general and it will not budge no matter what you apply it too. I tested several devices on this holder in my own bike, e-scooter and my daughter also tried it out and it is a simple effective affordable product you should have.
Features
√Four Corners Full Protection: Cocoda bike phone holder features four non-slip silicone cushions that completely wrap your phone, which keep your phone from scratches and vibration. Ensure the safety of your phone without any shaking even on rugged roads. No worry about phone’s falling.
√One-Hand Operation: Quickly install/release your phone with one hand in 1s. Open red security-lock on back. Take your phone off. Convenient to answer calls or take photos on the scenery of the journey.
√360-Degree Rotation: You can easily adjust the orientation of the phone according to personal preference, which is convenient for you to answer the phone, play music, GPS positioning during the riding. No blocking Face ID and Fingerprint Unlock. Operate freely.
√Wide Phone Compatibility: Universal bike phone holder for 4.7-6.8 inches phone with thickness up to 15mm (including phone case), compatible with iPhone 13 Pro Max/13 Pro/13/13 Mini/12 Pro Max/12 Pro/Galaxy S21 and other cell phones.
√Multifunctional Use: Equipped with 2 silicone gaskets for you to adjust the mount base. 20-35mm diameter is not only suitable for handlebars of bicycles, motorcycles but also for stroller, shopping cart, electric scooter, indoor treadmill, spin bike. You can use it in all respects of your life.
I dtús báire ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leat a Chathaoirleach agus Baill an Choiste ar son Zipp Mobility as cuireadh a thabhairt dom teacht anseo inniu agus roinnt libh ár dtuairimí ar an mBille um Thrácht ar Bhóithre agus um Bóithre 2021 go háirithe maidir le cúrsaí scútar leictreach.
Our company, Zipp Mobility, is Ireland’s leading shared micromobility provider, and we strongly support the efforts being made to legislate for the use of e-scooters in Ireland. We currently provide shared e-scooter and e-bike solutions to cities and towns across Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe. We are an Enterprise Ireland client company and have been awarded High Potential Startup status. Since our founding in 2019, we have grown to a team of 25 people and hope to create 50 more high-paying, skilled jobs in Ireland over the next 18 months. At Zipp we believe in “mobility done right”. This means it is our mission to do everything we can to help decarbonize transport, but it must be done in a principled way that respects the needs of the entire community.
Before we discuss electric scooters, I think it would be worth giving context to this conversation by reviewing Ireland’s transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. Transport is the second largest contributor to Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to this, the transport sector has been Ireland’s fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, with transport emissions doubling in that time. And when you break this down further, it is clear that private car usage is the leading cause of transport emissions, contributing to nearly 50% of total transport emissions in some years and consistently being over twice the size of the next largest emissions category.
Ireland has set the ambitious goal of reducing its emissions by 51% by 2030 and getting to net zero by 2050. This means we need a 7% reduction in emissions per annum for the next 8 years. In 2020, despite Covid restrictions and an economic slowdown our emissions only went down by 3.6%. I believe this illustrates how great of a task we have at hand here. We must achieve twice the reduction brought on by a global pandemic and repeat that year-on-year for eight consecutive years while also trying to grow our economy and fix the housing crisis, among other policy goals.
To achieve this, it is vital that we consider every solution possible, and therefore e-scooters must be a part of the conversation when it comes to decarbonizing transport. We need to make it easier for people to make more sustainable transport choices. This can start with our urban areas where over 60% of our population lives. By giving people safe and sustainable transport options like e-scooters we can achieve these goals. E-scooters could be transformational for reducing our reliance on private cars. If you’re a young person and you can’t afford a car then getting an e-scooter could be a safe, sustainable and affordable alternative. Scooters could also vastly increase the number of people who use public transport. If you’d like to use public transport more but you live too far away from the nearest bus or train link then shared e-scooters could solve that problem because that 30 minute walk becomes an 8 minute scooter journey and suddenly using public transport becomes a lot more attractive. It is also important to remember that shared e-scooters are not just restricted to cities like Cork and Dublin. We operate a shared e-scooter service in the English village of Princes Risborough with a population of less than 10,000 people. This mode can work for suburban and rural communities too.
Other countries’ experience with e-scooters shows that e-scooters can be legislated for in a way that achieves the dual goals of safety and sustainability. There is a balance that is required here. On the one hand you want to reduce the barriers of entry for someone using an e-scooter to maximize modal shift away from less sustainable modes of transport. However, the vehicles must also meet rigorous safety standards and users must obey the rules of the road. As one of the last developed countries in the world to enact e-scooter legislation, we can take this as an opportunity to cherry-pick best practices from other jurisdictions and create a world-class legislative framework for e-scooters that works for everyone.
Shared e-scooter services give cities and towns a great deal of control over how these vehicles interact with the public realm. Local authorities get a say in what types of vehicles are introduced on the streets, how the operators must interact with the community and they can enforce operating restrictions as they see fit. This control gives us the ability to introduce scooters to cities and towns in a community-centric way, in order to build consensus around their introduction. Zipp actively consults with members of the visually impaired and disabled communities and their representative bodies and we are committed to ensuring that when our service rolls out in Ireland, it is one that respects the needs of this community. We will engage groups such as the NCBI, the IWA and the Guide Dogs, pre-launch and post-launch of our service in a way that gives them a meaningful say in the operations of Ireland’s shared e scooter services. We can address their concerns through targeted speed reductions in certain areas, enforcing mandatory parking zones, providing effective safety communications and by taking a tough stance on misuse, among other initiatives.
Chair and members of the committee, I would like to thank you once again for inviting me here today to speak with you. I hope to give you our views on e-scooters as a representative from the shared micromobility industry, but also as a young Irish person, I hope to communicate to you how passionate we are about ensuring Ireland becomes a world leader in climate action. Legislating for e-scooters may seem like a small step but with a task this big ahead of us, it is not about the silver bullet solutions, it will be about the myriad of small steps that we take as a nation, together, in our quest to conquer the greatest problem of our age — climate change.
