How the Pandemic Redefined Personal Mobility

The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point for many aspects of our lives, and mobility was no exception. Fears of infection, new safety priorities, and changing travel patterns made us rethink transportation. Shared mobility — from carsharing to bikes and e-scooters — emerged as a key player in this transformation.

Fear and Empty Buses

In the early months of the pandemic, public transportation became a symbol of risk. Buses, subways, and trains that were once crowded emptied almost overnight. People started looking for alternatives: safe, personal options that minimized contact with others.

Research from the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) shows that ridership in 2020 dropped by 70–90%. Even years later, this fear has left a lasting impact on millions of people’s transportation habits.

Bike Boom

As reliance on public transport declined, interest in good old bicycles surged unexpectedly. In Europe, bike sales grew by 23%, and in the US, by 65%.

People started hopping onto two wheels, exploring new routes, and enjoying the eco-friendly and safe benefits of cycling. Cities followed suit: new bike lanes, subsidies for bicycle purchases, and expanded rental services helped adapt to this new reality.

Micromobility: Scooters on the Rise

It wasn’t just bicycles that saw a boom. E-scooters and mopeds became heroes of the pandemic era. These compact vehicles were perfect for short trips — to the store, a meeting, or just for leisure.

According to a Deloitte report, the use of micromobility services grew by 60% in 2020. Their appeal lay in being accessible, convenient, and low-contact.

Carsharing: The Flexible Lifesaver

Carsharing became another crucial solution during the pandemic. It combined the convenience of a private car with the flexibility of rentals. Companies offering shared cars quickly adapted to the new reality:

• introduced long-term rental options, allowing users to rent cars for weeks or even months
• added contactless technologies for booking and unlocking cars via apps, minimizing infection risks
• strengthened safety measures, including mandatory disinfection between trips

Fun fact: some carsharing operators went even further by introducing a special “office” tariff, allowing users to sit in a car without driving anywhere — a private space during lockdowns

The pandemic also opened unexpected opportunities for carsharing. Rental companies, faced with a sharp drop in tourism, partnered with carsharing operators to keep their fleets active. Others, like Hertz, filed for bankruptcy, leading to significant changes in the market. CT Mobility client RideNow capitalized on this shift, leveraging the situation to increase their fleet tenfold in their first year of operation.

Research by Visa found that 78% of users worldwide preferred contactless payments in 2020

At CT Mobility, we became the tech partner of choice for many shared mobility operators, providing a platform that supports contactless access, fleet management analytics, and local payment integrations. These tools allowed operators to adapt swiftly to new challenges and retain customers even during tough times.

A New Era of Sustainability

One of the unexpected side effects of lockdowns was a significant drop in air pollution. When millions of cars stopped clogging the streets, cities breathed easier. This highlighted the importance of eco-friendly transportation. Many cities began investing heavily in infrastructure for bikes, electric cars, and other low-emission transport options.

According to the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), in 2020 alone, European cities allocated over €1 billion to develop bike infrastructure.

What We Learned

The pandemic rewrote the rules of personal mobility. We’ve learned to value safety, sustainability, and flexibility. Micromobility, carsharing, and personal transport are no longer seen as optional add-ons — they’re essential. Technology has made this shift smoother, with platforms like CT Mobility helping operators meet modern standards.

While the world slowly returns to normal, these changes are here to stay. Flexibility, contactless solutions, and sustainability are no longer trends — they are the new standards shaping the future of personal mobility.

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