AIM (Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility)

Micro-mobility 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 that a young physically abled population are the only people using them. The AIM project will be researching the interest and needs for people with disabilities and older adults in micro-mobility. Adaptive micro-mobility is devices that have been modified or created based on the needs of people with varying abilities and disabilities.

We know "walkable cities" and "the 15-minute city" are current and hot topics in cities around the world. At Access 2 Accessibility we believe in "Movable Inclusive Cities & Communities" (MICC) where people of all abilities and ages can freely move around their cities and communities with independence using the transportation device of their choice, on safe infrastructure.    

We have completed Phase 1 and have learned that many people, who are not part of the micro-mobility or active transportation industry, do not really know the term "micro-mobility" and fewer knew what "adaptive micro-mobility" means.

Phase 2 will:

• Develop a greater awareness campaign.
• Expand the outreach geographical area.
• Engage with more public consultations.
• Deliver more presentations to community groups and organizations.
• Create a survey with more data collection to guide us to the future deliverables of the program based on people's needs.

Phase 2 public consultations will be published on our Events Page once they are available. Click here to learn about these and other Access 2 Accessibility events: 

Events Page.

As part of our advocacy and awareness campaigns we are engaging with the disability & senior communities; different level of Government, Active Transportation providers, and more, for Moveable Inclusive Cities & Communities (MICC). We will list below Letters of Support as we receive them:

• The Region of Peel has provided a Letter of Support for the Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility Program in October 2023.

Thanks to the Port Credit Community Foundation's funding in 2023 Access 2 Accessibility launched its pilot research project Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility (AIM) in Port Credit, Mississauga.

In January 2023 the 6-month pilot project began by developing a strong committee with Stakeholders and community members in the micro-mobility, cycling, and disability communities.  

Then we focused on public consultations and community presentations / awareness in both virtual and in-person forums. These were coupled with a survey to get a sense of people's understanding of micro-mobility and adaptive micro-mobility.

We would like to hear from you for any of the following:

• 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 as a Stakeholder or Citizen Member.
• To volunteer on the project.
• To book us to do a presentation at your organization.
• Send comments or questions regarding this project.

Please contact us by email at:  AIM@Access2Accessibility.com 

To learn more about the Port Credit Community Foundation please click on the link below:

Port Credit Community Foundation

As with any project its success comes from the team leading the project. Adaptive & Inclusive Micro-mobility program has a knowledgeable and experienced team. 

We welcome more Citizen members and Stakeholders, who do not have a conflict of interest (i.e., own or work for private for-profit organizations), to join our committee or come volunteer with us. 

Email us at:  AIM@Access2Accessibility.com

 Committee Members

Stakeholders

• Catherine Holland, Mississauga Sports Council

Home Sports Mississauga 

• Dorothy Tomiuk, Mississauga Cycling Now!         

MCN! Home Page (misscyclingnow.ca)

• Mary Simpson, TOPCA (Town of Port Credit Association).                      

TOPCA Home Page 

• Matthew Sweet, Manager, Active Transportation, City of Mississauga. 

 Introduction to Shared Micro-Mobility Systems | City of Mississauga 

Transportation and streets – City of Mississauga 

• Mattea Turco, Transportation Planner, City of Mississauga

Citizen Member

• Susan Stewart

Access 2 Accessibility Members

• Carol-Ann Chafe, Founder & Chair.
• Mary Daniel, Business Development & Community Engagement.

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.

Scooting around in a powered electric scooter provides freedom for older adults and people with limited mobility issues.

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.

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.