This is how Düsseldorf utilizes urban shared mobility

Since 2021, CMD has already established 136 sharing stations, ten mobility stations, and 20 bicycle stations in Düsseldorf on behalf of the city—primarily in the downtown area. By 2035, a total of around 100 mobility stations, 350 sharing stations, and 100 bicycle stations are planned to be part of the city's mobility offerings, especially in other districts as well.

While bicycle stations provide secure and digitally lockable bicycle parking spaces, sharing stations consolidate various shared mobility offerings such as rental scooters, bicycles, and e-scooters. Mobility stations feature an even wider range of mobility options and also enhance the city’s ambiance with greenery, benches, and tables.

With the end of 2023, many services were operational for a full calendar year for the first time. This allows for initial analyses and conclusions regarding the use of shared mobility in Düsseldorf.

Smart Data Analysis Supports Efficiency

To optimally plan and expand the micromobility offerings in the state capital, good data and effective management are indispensable. For this purpose, CMD has developed the Shared Mobility Dashboard. The powerful data analysis platform captures the data of various shared mobility providers and stations, enabling digital management and visualization of usage and occupancy rates.

Alongside the rides and parking positions of the vehicles from different providers, the system delivers data from park sensors, the city's cargo bike rental system, and the existing sharing and mobility stations. Additionally, geo-data, such as no-parking zones, are managed and transferred.

The smart system allows for automated monitoring of parking activities and occupancy rates, identifies specific local needs, and effectively manages them while also recognizing emerging usage trends early. The data show that people use e-scooters and e-bikes differently in their daily lives than cargo bikes and child cabrios.

Occupational Peaks for Scooters and E-Bikes

In 2023, people in Düsseldorf traveled 8.2 million kilometers via e-scooter and e-bike. With approximately 5.4 million uses, that averages to about 1.5 kilometers per booking. By comparison, a trip around the Earth is about 40,000 kilometers. Therefore, Düsseldorf's e-scooters and e-bikes traveled around our blue planet approximately 205 times last year.

It is now possible to make initial statements regarding daily usage. There are differences between weekdays and weekends. While bookings are predictably low overnight, spikes can be observed from 7 to 9 in the morning and from 4 to 6 in the afternoon – strongly correlating with work and education commutes. On weekends, peak usage times are from late afternoon until early evening.

People in Düsseldorf particularly use these offerings during the warmer months from spring to autumn. It is also notable that usage increased significantly during public transport strikes, for example, in March 2024.

New Child Cabrios for the Trip to Daycare

In Düsseldorf, cargo bike dispensers are also very popular. These fully automated cargo bike rental systems are implemented at selected mobility stations, so far at four locations. In 2023, around 4215 rides were made using rental cargo bikes. The numbers were predictably highest in the second and third quarters.

Since October 2023, the fleet of cargo bikes has had an exciting addition: The so-called child cabrios, specially designed for transporting children, are already enjoying increasing popularity. There is already data for the first half-year of the new child cabrios, from which initial trends can be derived.

The analysis shows that on weekdays, people in Düsseldorf use child cabrios particularly in the morning around 11 AM and in the afternoon from 3 to 4 PM. At least the afternoon times suggest usage for picking up children from daycare. On weekends, child cabrios are mostly booked in the mornings.