Experimental networks of self-organisation, in some cases assisted by web tools, for the efficiency of private mobility, with improvement of the intensity of use, the containment of travel costs and the impact of private transport, integrated with or replacing public transport, in contexts of low service efficiency: carpooling, bikesharing etc.

Just park

From Great Britain comes the solution to the difficult search for parking in urban areas. Through the ‘JustPark’ app, every driver will be able to find and book the nearest convenient parking space and will be guided by the navigator to their destination. Parking spaces are made available (even if only temporarily) by private individuals -businesses, hotels, pubs- with a saving for users of about 60 per cent on the cost of normal parking spaces. Each car park has a description with photo and cost, payment is made in the app by credit card and with the possibility for the user to leave feedback and comments.

UK.

Scooter-sharing

After bicycles and cars, shared and sustainable mobility focuses on scooters. The scooter-sharing service has been active in Barcelona, the first in the world, since September 2013 with a fleet that will count 500 electric scooters when fully operational. The operation is very similar to that of other car-sharing services: after registering through the App it is possible to reserve the nearest vehicle for 30 minutes with a minimum notice of 10 minutes, again through the App once the scooter has been reached it is switched on, the helmet housing is opened (to be repositioned at the end of the ride) and it is used for the necessary journey.

The bikes, which are strictly locally produced and equipped with a satellite navigation system, can reach a maximum speed of 65 km/h, offering a range of 40-60 km on a ‘full tank’. Users have the option of paying for a single trip – at a rate of 45 euro cents per km – or of purchasing monthly and tourist packages for more frequent use.

Milan too, given the success of car-sharing services, is equipping itself with this new service, which it expects to inaugurate in spring 2015.

[TO] bike – Bike sharing

[TO]Bike is a Turin-based bike sharing service, inaugurated in 2010 as an innovative project for sustainable mobility offering a concrete alternative to the car for urban travel. The city offers as many as 116 stations with a network of connections designed to enjoy the city free of traffic, which is about to extend to the metropolitan level, involving numerous municipalities in the first belt. The service includes an annual subscription of €25 and free use for the first half hour.

Turin, Italy

Boston bikes

The city of Boston devotes much attention to alternative mobility, in particular the Boston bikes project is part of Mayor Menino’s vision for a liveable and sustainable city. Interventions such as bike sharing points, dedicated parking spaces and safe routes aim to facilitate and increase the use of bicycles, both for residents (perhaps commuters) and tourists. The website not only illustrates the project, but also provides useful information for cyclists, such as maps, info and rental points, events and safety tips.

Boston, USA