When the Fayette and Raleigh Metropolitan Planning Organization (FRMPO) sought to understand how micromobility could support bicycle and pedestrian travel across its urban and rural communities, B&N developed a strategy tailored to the realities of smaller regions. Unlike large metropolitan areas, FRMPO’s communities face lower population densities, longer trip distances, limited funding and constrained operational capacity. Existing micromobility guidance did not reflect those conditions.
B&N led a comprehensive micromobility planning effort to help FRMPO determine if and where e-bikes, e-scooters and shared mobility could add value and how a program could be realistically implemented at a regional scale. Services included data analysis, stakeholder engagement, peer program research and development of a phased implementation framework.
Data-Informed, Community-Centered Analysis
To identify where micromobility could have the greatest impact, B&N combined multiple data sources and perspectives. The team analyzed crowdsourced mobility data from Strava to understand existing bicycling and walking patterns and then paired that information with a demographic needs index based on census data. These findings were compared with the region’s existing bicycle and pedestrian network to identify priority locations for shared micromobility service and supporting infrastructure.
Quantitative analysis was complemented by extensive engagement with MPO and local government staff, business owners, the regional transit agency and bicycle and multimodal advocacy groups. This input ensured recommendations reflected local priorities, concerns and operational realities.
Learning from Peer Communities
B&N evaluated micromobility programs nationwide through research and interviews with program operators and public officials. Key lessons informed recommendations related to:
- Cost-effective operations and maintenance
- Funding and sponsorship models
- Fleet sizing and service area design
- Maintenance strategies
- Addressing terrain and geographic challenges
Outcomes and Value
B&N delivered a practical, decision-ready implementation framework outlining program scale, service locations, cost considerations, funding strategies, operational models and a proposed pilot service area. With a clear roadmap in place, FRMPO is positioned to move forward with vendor selection, procurement, or a pilot launch.
This project demonstrates that with the right strategy, micromobility can be a viable tool for expanding transportation choice and improving access in small cities and rural regions, not just major metropolitan areas.