AIM (Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility)
Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-Mobility (AIM).
Thank you to the Port Credit Community Foundation for your grant to Access 2 Accessibility to do a pilot research project in Mississauga with community engagement in 2023.
Access 2 Accessibility's Phase 1 Adaptive & inclusive Micro-mobility (AIM) program.
'AIMing to bring accessibility inclusion in micro-mobility' .
What is 'micro-mobility'?
It is a broad term for transportation small and lightweight vehicles typically operating at speeds of 25km/hour or less. These devices are mostly used for personal use and include peddle bikes, motorized scooters, e-bicycles, and more. Micro-mobility offers an alternative to traditional transportation (cars, trains, buses) in cities, communities, and on public multi-use trails.
Interest is growing for micro-mobility, especially with bike-sharing programs popping in cities all over the world. These devices can help people get to work, enjoy outdoor activities, visit family and friends, go local shopping, visit libraries, and so much more.
When majority of people think of these micro-mobility devices, they think a young 'abled-bodied' population are the only people using them. But there is great interest for people with disabilities and older adults to use them too IF they are adaptive and inclusive thus meeting their needs to operate them.
We hear about "walkable cities", well at Access 2 Accessibility we believe in "movable inclusive cities" (MIC) where people of all abilities and ages can freely move around their cities and towns with independence using the transportation device of their choice.
Committee
The committee began work on the AIM project in January 2023. We will soon be announcing the dates for in-person and virtual public consultations. we will be engaging with people with disabilities and older adult to study the interests and needs of adaptive micro-mobility.
Committee Members
- Carol-Ann Chafe, Founder & Chair of Access 2 Accessibility.
- Dorothy Tomiuk, Stakeholder Member, Mississauga Cycling Now!
MCN! Home Page (misscyclingnow.ca)
- Mary Daniel, Business Development & community Engagement, Access 2 Accessibility.
- Mary Simpson, Stakeholder, TOPCA (Town of Port Credit Association).
- Matthew Sweet, Stakeholder, Manager, Active Transportation, City of Mississauga.
Transportation and streets – City of Mississauga
- Moaz Ahmad, Citizen Member.
- Susan Stewart, Citizen Member.
If you are a person with an interest in Micro-mobility accessibility inclusion and would like to be considered to be on the AIM committee or be a volunteer on the project , please email:
In Spring/Summer of 2023 there will be two (2) in-person community consultations and one (1) virtual. This project is taking place in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; but people from outside of this area are welcomed to attend our virtual public consultation. Surveys for feedback will be available in the new year for everyone to give their opinion. If you have comments or questions regarding this project, gladly reach out to us at AIM@Access2Accessibility.com.
More information on the dates and times will be announced early spring 2023. The upcoming public consultations can also be found by clicking on: Events Page
Below are some of the many options of micro-mobility that many people with disabilities and older adults use to maintain or increase their involvement within their community and parks/trails. We will be adding more examples of micro-mobility, so please check back often to learn more.
Stayed tuned for more information about our upcoming AIM pilot project in Mississauga, Ontario. Please contact us if you have questions, comments, or information that will benefit Access 2 Accessibility for this crucial project.
Email us at: AIM@Access2Accessibility.com
Wheelchair Tandem Bicycle
The Wheelchair Tandem Bicycle, also known as the Companion Bike, is pictured here with a young woman pedaling this tandem bike which has an an older lady in the wheelchair attached to the front of the tandem bike.
Foldable mini scooter
An on-the-go foldable scooter is great for people with various disabilities and older adults to get around in their city or town, or just to visit family and friends. Being foldable means these fits easily in a car, and then when at a multi-use trail people can join others on the trails even if they have some mobility issues
Electric mobility scooter
Scooting around in a powered electric scooter provides freedom for older adults and people with limited mobility issues.
E-bike with seat and basket
This is a great option of micro-mobility, especially for people who have limited walking capacity or strength; or who have breathing issues such as COPD.
Fat-wheel off road 2-wheel seated bike
People with disabilities and older adults can use this off-road bike on multi-use trails and even in some rough terrain. The bike in the picture has fat-wheels at the front and back; plus two balancing wheels attached to the back wheel. Becoming older or incurring some mobility issues does not mean you cannot go back out into the great outdoors. Adaptive bikes can let you enjoy your outings again.
Hand-pedal bike
Here is an example of a hand-pedal bike. In the picture is an adult little person riding a 3 wheeler bike with adapted handle bars as using the foot peddles are not accessible.