Opinión: Por qué el atraque podría cambiar las reglas del juego para la micromovilidad en las ciudades

Opinión: Por qué el atraque podría cambiar las reglas del juego para la micromovilidad en las ciudades

Los patinetes eléctricos han remodelado la forma en que los viajeros, los turistas y los residentes navegan por nuestras ciudades, proporcionando un modo de transporte divertido y con bajas emisiones de carbono. Sin embargo, si bien la pandemia ha provocado un aumento del número de pasajeros porque los patinetes ofrecen un modo de viajar socialmente distanciado, el hecho de que estén permitidos no ha resuelto los desafíos que plantea su uso. Las aceras abarrotadas, el vandalismo, los problemas relacionados con la carga... ya has oído hablar de ello...

Nos complace compartir información sobre la economía unitaria de las operaciones de uso compartido de patinetes y bicicletas en muelles con la ayuda de nuestros amigos de NUDO - empresa innovadora que proporciona estaciones de acoplamiento para servicios de scooters.

Los patinetes eléctricos acoplados no solo eliminan la obstrucción que causan los patinetes cuando se dejan en las aceras, sino que también son mucho menos fáciles de destrozar. Otra ventaja de las estaciones es que los operadores pueden proporcionar vídeos y otras instrucciones para asesorar a los usuarios sobre cómo conducir de forma segura, y pueden ponerse cascos a su disposición en las estaciones.

Pero, ¿qué pasa con la economía de la infraestructura de atraque? ¿Más inversión de antemano para reducir los gastos operativos? ¿Dónde podemos situar el punto de equilibrio? ¡Encuentra nuestros números a continuación!

Economía de flotación libre frente a economía basada en muelles

Las estaciones de acoplamiento reducen los costos operativos (los patinetes se cierran con llave y se cargan en la estación), lo que significa que no es necesario contratar personal para recoger los patinetes todas las noches para cambiar las baterías. El desglose de los costes es impresionante: los gastos operativos por patinete pasan de casi 6€ a 1€ por día.

De media, cargar un patinete acoplado cuesta 0,03 euros al día, frente a los 2 a 6 euros de los patinetes que flotan libremente, si se tienen en cuenta todos los demás costes operativos, y la vida útil media de la estación de acoplamiento es de 5 años. Además, los patinetes siempre estarán completamente cargados, lo que significa que puedes garantizar tus servicios durante todo el día, incluso en los patinetes con poca capacidad de batería.

Los servicios basados en la estación también ayudan a reducir el impacto del vandalismo, lo que aumenta la vida útil del scooter y reduce los costos generales de mantenimiento.

Si lo incluimos en la perspectiva de ingresos, los ingresos diarios por scooter (con el supuesto de 3 viajes al día) serán considerablemente más altos. A continuación se muestra un cálculo aproximado realizado partiendo del supuesto de 3 viajes por scooter al día para una flota de 250 scooters:

Free-floating vs dock-based economics

Economía de flotación libre frente a economía basada en muelles

Naturalmente, las soluciones basadas en muelles requieren una inversión sustancial en infraestructura. Para disponer de 250 redes de patinetes, las ciudades necesitarían instalar alrededor de 60 estaciones de acoplamiento con 8 ranuras cada una (si se opta por una red totalmente acoplada), lo que representa unos 250 000€, incluida la mejora de los scooters.

Esto significa que, para lanzar su sistema, debe invertir entre un 35 y un 60% más, pero ahorrará entre un 30 y un 70% en las operaciones diarias.

El panorama general

Tomarse el tiempo para analizar el panorama general puede ahorrarle a las ciudades muchos problemas y dinero: en solo siete a nueve meses, el costo inicial de un sistema basado en el acoplamiento comienza a dar sus frutos en comparación con un modelo flotante. Esta inversión no solo es rentable desde el punto de vista financiero, sino que también crea una infraestructura que puede conducir a un ecosistema de tránsito más seguro en el que los patinetes eléctricos no puedan considerarse una molestia o una novedad, sino una parte integral de la red de transporte.

Sin embargo, como cada ciudad es diferente, no existe un enfoque único para todos. Por ejemplo, en Estrasburgo, KNOT permite a los usuarios aparcar a dos metros alrededor de la estación si está llena (la ciudad de Estrasburgo se opone a que los patinetes eléctricos floten libremente y no los permite en ningún otro lugar de la ciudad). Disponer de opciones flexibles que se adapten a las necesidades de los usuarios brinda a las ciudades una oportunidad real de convertir el patinete eléctrico en un medio de transporte que pueda adoptarse realmente.

A medida que más países y ciudades de todo el mundo optan por los patinetes eléctricos como una solución, los responsables de su despliegue deben considerar cómo pueden influir en el cambio en su ecosistema de movilidad. El atraque ofrece una inversión inteligente y la oportunidad de consolidar este modo de micromovilidad en el paisaje urbano.

¿Está interesado en lanzar su propia plataforma de movilidad?

Haga clic a continuación para obtener más información o solicitar una demostración.

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🚀 New feature alert: Web-booker for ride-hail
🚀 New feature alert: Web-booker for ride-hail

🚕 Web-booker is a lightweight ride-hail widget that lets users book rides directly from a website or mobile browser - no app install required. It reduces booking friction, supports hotel and partner demand, and keeps every ride fully synced with the taxi operator’s app and dashboard.

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What if ordering a taxi was as easy as booking a room or clicking “Reserve table” on a website?

Meet Web-booker - a lightweight ride-hail booking widget that lets users request a cab directly from a website, without installing or opening the mobile app.
Perfect for hotels, business centers, event venues, airports, and corporate partners.

👉 Live demo: https://app.atommobility.com/taxi-widget

What is Web-booker?

Web-booker is a browser-based ride-hail widget that operators can embed or link to from any website.
The booking happens on the web, but the ride is fully synchronized with the mobile app and operator dashboard.

How it works (simple by design)
  • Client places a button or link on their website
  • Clicking it opens a new window with the ride-hail widget
  • The widget is branded, localized, and connected directly to the operator’s system
  • Booking instantly appears in the dashboard and mobile app

No redirects. No app-store friction. No lost users.

Key capabilities operators care about
🎨 Branded & consistent
  • Widget color automatically matches the client’s app branding
  • Feels like a natural extension of the operator’s ecosystem
  • Fully responsive and optimized for mobile browsers, so users can book a ride directly from their phone without installing the app
📱 App growth built in
  • QR code and App Store / Google Play links shown directly in the widget
  • Smooth upgrade path from web → app
🔄 Fully synced ecosystem
  • Country code auto-selected based on user location
  • Book via web → see the ride in the app (same user credentials)
  • Dashboard receives booking data instantly
  • Every booking is tagged with Source:
    - App
    - Web (dashboard bookings)
    - Booker (website widget)
    - API
🔐 Clean & secure session handling
  • User is logged out automatically when leaving the page
  • No persistent browser sessions
💵 Payments logic
  • New users: cash only
  • Existing users: can choose saved payment methods
  • If cash is not enabled → clear message prompts booking via the app

This keeps fraud low while preserving conversion.

✅ Default rollout
  • Enabled by default for all ride-hail merchants
  • No extra setup required
  • Operators decide where and how to use it (hotel partners, landing pages, QR posters, etc.)
Why this matters in practice

Web-booker addresses one of the most common friction points in ride-hailing: users who need a ride now but are not willing to download an app first. By allowing bookings directly from a website, operators can capture high-intent demand at the exact moment it occurs - whether that is on a hotel website, an event page, or a partner landing page.

At the same time, Web-booker makes partnerships with hotels and venues significantly easier. Instead of complex integrations or manual ordering flows, partners can simply place a button or link and immediately enable ride ordering for their guests. Importantly, this approach does not block long-term app growth. The booking flow still promotes the mobile app through QR codes and store links, allowing operators to convert web users into app users over time - without forcing the install upfront.

Web-booker is not designed to replace the mobile app. It extends the acquisition funnel by adding a low-friction entry point, while keeping all bookings fully synchronized with the operator’s app and dashboard.

👉 Try the demo
https://app.atommobility.com/taxi-widget

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How bike-sharing apps encourage eco-friendly urban travel
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🚲 Cleaner air, less traffic, and better city living - bike-sharing apps are making it happen. With seamless apps, smart integration, and the right infrastructure, shared bikes are becoming a real alternative to cars in cities across Europe.💡 See how bike-sharing supports sustainable mobility and what cities and operators can do to get it right.

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Bike-sharing apps are reshaping urban mobility. What began as a practical way to get around without owning a bike is now part of a bigger shift toward sustainable transport. 

These services are doing more than replacing short car trips. They help cities cut emissions, reduce congestion, improve health, and connect better with public transport. 

As more cities rethink how people move, bike sharing continues to grow as one of the fastest and most affordable tools to support this change.

Why bike sharing is important

Bike-sharing services now operate in over 150 European cities, with more than 438,000 bikes in circulation. These systems help prevent around 46,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually and reduce reliance on private cars in dense urban areas. They also improve air quality, lower noise levels, and make cities more pleasant to live in.

A recent study by EIT Urban Mobility and Cycling Industries Europe, carried out by EY, found that bike-sharing services generate around €305 million in annual benefits across Europe. This includes reduced emissions, lower healthcare costs, time saved from less congestion, and broader access to jobs and services.

For cities, the numbers speak for themselves: every euro invested yields a 10% annual return, generating €1.10 in positive externalities. By 2030, these benefits could triple to €1 billion if bike-sharing is prioritized.

Connecting with public transport

Bike sharing works best when it fits into the wider transport system. Most car trips that bike sharing replaces are short and often happen when public transport doesn’t quite reach the destination. That last kilometer between a bus stop and your home or office can be enough to make people choose the car instead.

Placing shared bikes near metro stations, tram stops, or bus terminals makes it easier for people to leave their cars behind. This “last-mile” connection helps more people use public transport for the long part of their trip and hop on a bike for the short part. Over time, that encourages more consistent use of both bikes and transit.

In cities where bike sharing is integrated into travel passes or mobility platforms, users can combine modes in a single journey. That flexibility supports wider access and makes shared bikes part of everyday mobility, not just something used occasionally.

What the app brings to the experience

The digital experience behind bike sharing is a big part of why it works. People can check availability, unlock a bike, pay, and end their trip – all in one app. This makes it quick, simple, and consistent.

Good bike-sharing apps also offer:

  • Real-time vehicle status
  • Contactless ID verification and onboarding
  • Support for short trips and subscriptions
  • Usage history and cost tracking
  • Optional features like carbon savings or route suggestions

When users don’t need to think twice about how the system works, they’re more likely to build regular habits around it. That habit shift is what makes a long-term difference for both users and cities.

Wider city-level benefits

Bike sharing isn’t just a transport service. It helps cities meet public goals – cleaner air, lower traffic, healthier residents, and better access to services. When someone chooses a bike instead of a car, it reduces the demand for fuel, parking, and space on the road.

The €305 million annual benefit includes health savings due to increased physical activity, avoided emissions, time gained from reduced congestion, and the creation of jobs tied to fleet operations. Many bike-sharing schemes also improve equity by giving people access to mobility in areas that are underserved by public transport or where car ownership isn’t affordable.

Shared bikes are especially useful in mid-sized cities where distances are manageable and car traffic still dominates. With the right policy support, even small fleets can have a noticeable impact on mobility patterns and public health.

What makes a system work well

Not every bike-sharing system succeeds. To be reliable and scalable, a few things must work together:

  • Safe, protected bike lanes
  • Well-placed stations near high-demand areas
  • Bikes that are easy to maintain and manage
  • Operators that monitor usage and shift bikes to where they’re needed
  • City policies that support cycling and reduce reliance on cars

Successful systems often grow in partnership with city governments, public transport agencies, and private operators who bring technology, logistics, and know-how.

The role of software and operations

Reliable software is what keeps all parts of the system connected. From unlocking a bike to seeing usage trends across the city, operators need tools that are stable, flexible, and easy to manage. For those launching or scaling a fleet, platforms like ATOM Mobility offer ready-made solutions that handle booking, payments, ID checks, live tracking, and fleet control in one place.

The platform supports both electric and mechanical bikes, offers branded apps, and integrates with smart locks or IoT modules for remote vehicle access. It also lets operators adjust pricing, monitor vehicle health, and manage customer support in real time. That means smaller teams can launch faster and scale smarter, without having to build every tool from scratch.

A small change with a big effect

Bike sharing won’t replace all car trips, but even a small shift makes a difference. A few short rides per week can reduce emissions, improve fitness, and save time spent in traffic. When these trips are supported by good infrastructure, public awareness, and seamless apps, the impact grows.

As cities continue to prioritise sustainability, shared micromobility will play a bigger role in helping people move in cleaner, healthier, and more flexible ways. With the right technology and planning, bike sharing becomes more than a service – it becomes a habit that supports better cities for everyone.

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