Which urban travel mode should I choose according to my profile?

More sustainable urban mobility solutions are at the heart of a process of transformation of urban life. On a national and global scale, the transport sector (including urban mobility) is responsible for a large part of CO2 emissions.

In the urban environment, cars with internal combustion engines must be gradually replaced by more sustainable means of transportation. For their daily commute, city dwellers should compare the different urban mobility solutions to choose the one that best suits their preferences. Budget, value for money, environmental impact, practicality, adaptability: there are many criteria for comparison. Here we focus on the user profile criterion.

Quelle solution de mobilité urbaine choisir selon son profil ?-1

What are the main sustainable urban mobilities?

Every city dweller should be able to find a sustainable urban mobility adapted to his or her profile, given the numerous solutions available. Among all the alternative modes of travel to the thermal car, we find :

  • the electric car: with 4 different types of models (100% electric, hybrid, rechargeable or range-extender), this vehicle is increasingly valued by local authorities with numerous recharging stations throughout the city;
  • carpooling or carsharing: these shared mobility solutions help reduce the number of cars on the road;
  • public transport: buses, subways and streetcars are increasingly accessible in large cities;
  • walking, cycling, skateboarding or rollerblading: these soft mobility methods are ideal for short trips in the city;
  • motorized personal mobility devices (MPDs): these two-wheeled electric vehicles are increasingly recognized as urban mobility in their own right, and no longer just as leisure activities.

Which mode of urban transport should I choose according to my age?

While there are no real rules to follow when choosing a mode of transportation for urban travel, age does seem to influence the choice of city dwellers.

In urban areas, many children and teenagers use hand scooters or hand bikes to get to school or to play. The safety of these road users is guaranteed by the presence of numerous bicycle paths that cross the city.

For young workers and adults in general, multimodal urban transportation is central to their daily commute. Indeed, many of them use several modes of transport during the same trip: one part of the trip may be made by car (preferably electric), then another by public transport, or yet another by MPT. MPTs such as electric scooters or electric bicycles are a very good response to the needs of this profile of city dwellers, who are looking for speed and practicality in their daily trips.

Finally, it is important that the urban transition process be adapted to the aging of the population and the increase in the life expectancy of the French. It is indeed essential that the elderly be able to benefit from means of transport adapted to their needs. For example, the development of public transport is essential to serve a maximum number of areas in the city. Electric cars are also a possibility, at least for people who are able to drive. As far as the EDPM is concerned, we can consider that senior profiles are less sensitive to these new mobilities and the technological innovations associated with them.

Which urban mobility solution to choose according to one's level of physical activity?

More than age alone, it is also the physical condition of city dwellers that can influence the choice of mobility. Not all modes of travel require the same level of physical activity.

In particular, the distance to be covered must be taken into account, which can constitute a barrier for less athletic profiles. However, the emergence of electric bicycles makes it possible to make a slight physical effort, while benefiting from pedal assistance, which makes it an accessible means of transportation for many city dwellers.

In any case, urban travel is an opportunity to fight against sedentary lifestyles, by encouraging movement and physical activity among city dwellers.

Quelle solution de mobilité urbaine choisir selon son profil ?-2

Which sustainable urban mobility should you choose according to your income?

The level of income inevitably influences the choice of an urban travel solution. People with limited financial resources may choose soft mobility, such as walking or handcycling, whenever possible. Public transport is also a relatively affordable option, with discounted fares available for certain user profiles and partial or total free travel in some large cities.

As far as motorized personal transport devices are concerned, there are many models with varying degrees of cost. The power of the electric motor and the performance of the battery (and therefore the range of the device) influence the price of MPTs such as scooters and electric bicycles.

Electric cars, on the other hand, are often chosen by wealthy city dwellers, due to their often very high selling price.

Nevertheless, the rise in energy prices (especially oil) and financial support schemes (such as the sustainable mobility package) make all the new sustainable mobility solutions a more profitable investment than a gasoline or diesel car.

Which mode of urban travel to choose according to one's environmental sensitivity?

The government and local authorities are following and implementing policies to promote the ecological transition. These include the development of urban mobility. However, city dwellers can be more or less sensitive to the environmental cause.

To contribute to a better respect of the environment through urban travel, city dwellers can therefore turn to soft mobility such as walking, but also MPTs or 100% electric vehicles. Apart from their electrical consumption (which remains lower thanks to the high performance of certain models), these electric vehicles are very "eco-friendly" urban mobility solutions.

Carpooling and carsharing remain a good way to reduce the number of cars on the road, and therefore CO2 emissions in the city, although it is not the most ecological solution.

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