This Week in Urban Mobility
Welcome to This Week in Urban Mobility, your curated digest of the most important developments shaping the future of how we move in European cities. As an industry insider, I'm passionate about cutting through the noise to bring you the news, trends, and insights that truly matter for urban mobility professionals.
1. Rad Power Bikes on the Brink: Survival or Shutdown?
Rad Power Bikes , once seen as a star in the e-bike world, has warned employees it may shut down as of January unless it secures new funding or an acquisition deal. Several rounds of layoffs, a CEO shift, and post-pandemic consumer shifts have left the Seattle-based company fighting for survival, mirroring industry headwinds hitting competitors like VanMoof and Superpedestrian. Despite exploring strategic partnerships, the company’s financial woes persist, and official notifications indicate all staff could be let go in early January if a solution isn’t found.
2. Upway Rides High with €60M Boost
French e-bike startup Upway has raised a staggering €60 million in Series B funding to expand its refurbished bike business, with investors including Caygan Partners, Sequoia, and Exor. The company has grown rapidly since launching in 2021, offering affordable, high-quality refurbished e-bikes for budget-conscious urban riders and now aiming to expand to new markets and develop its platform. Upway’s momentum reflects growing demand for sustainable and accessible mobility options, even amidst a turbulent landscape for bike startups. The impressive funding round for Upway proves that circular economy models—anchored in quality and trust—are gaining traction as the future of urban micromobility
3. Microlino: Will Swiss Innovation Go East?
The Swiss-made Microlino - a compact, urban-friendly electric car - now faces an uncertain future as its founders sound the alarm about a lack of government support and regulatory hurdles in Europe. Despite investing 70 million Swiss francs and producing nearly 4,800 vehicles, the Ouboter family feels disadvantaged compared to large automakers, pointing out that their L7e-category EV does not qualify for subsidies, tax benefits, or CO₂ credits, making local production financially unsustainable. With China offering generous incentives and much lower costs, Microlino’s founders are actively considering relocating manufacturing, warning that without European reforms, homegrown e-mobility innovation will lose out—and calling for measures like an SUV tax to help level the playing field. Expert opinion: The Microlino story reveals (yet another) critical flaw in European policy—if regulations fail to actively back lighter, space-saving EVs, the continent risks outsourcing innovation and missing true urban mobility transformation
4. Why L-Category Motorcycles Could Rescue European Cities
A growing number of voices are advocating for “L-category” motorcycles—light, agile two-wheelers—as a key part of unclogging and cleaning up Europe’s urban transport. Advocates argue these vehicles bridge the gap between traditional bicycles and cars, offer congestion and emissions relief, and can help cities meet climate and air quality goals. Yet, uptake remains modest, partly due to regulatory hurdles and entrenched car-centric policies. Greater support and visibility for L-category motorcycles could be game-changers for urban sustainability, provided regulations and perceptions catch up with reality. Preach!
5. Safety Trade-Off? EU Eases Rules for Hefty US Pickups—Crash Deaths Rise
A new investigation reveals that a trade deal between the EU and US has resulted in laxer safety requirements for large American SUVs and pickups in Europe, possibly contributing to a spike in fatal road accidents. Despite more deaths linked to heavier vehicles—many of which don’t meet stringent European crash standards—regulatory loopholes persist, largely benefitting car importers over local safety outcomes. Critics say this policy undermines Vision Zero strategies and puts vulnerable road users at higher risk. Europe’s unwillingness to close safety loopholes for oversized imports threatens decades of road safety progress—and urban leaders shouldn’t stay silent.
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