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Gasoline prices, which experienced a turbulent year with global economic developments, have increased by more than 20% since the beginning of the year. The effect of price increases on public transportation and transportation costs has led consumers to electric scooters, which offer a safer, greener and more affordable way.

*** This release is originally published in Turkish.

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ISTANBUL (TR) - While global economic developments brought commodity prices to a fluctuating level, OPEC+, which represents the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, triggered price increases in oil with a supply cut of 2 million barrels. While this upward trend is also seen in fuel prices, retail gasoline prices in the US rose by more than 20%, according to data compiled by Ycharts. The reflection of increasing costs on the pump and public transportation prices led consumers to use alternative transportation vehicles. Eliminating the necessity of searching for a parking place, getting stuck in traffic, and complying with public transportation times, electric scooters have turned into a safe, economical and environmentally friendly option that pedestrians use for short distances, especially in metropolitan cities. LINK by Superpedestrian, which has a widespread network in the USA and Europe and started to operate in three cities in Turkey as of 2022, evaluated the latest trends in micro-mobility in the country.

Stating that the per-minute pricing model is easily accepted by consumers, LINK by Superpedestrian Global Market Development and Strategy Head Haya Douidri said, “Waiting for metro, bus, metrobus or minibus, especially in short distances, causes time losses. On the other hand, the experience in these vehicles does not satisfy the passengers mostly. Considering the fuel price hikes, the costs of using personal cars are not worth the short trips. As LINK by Superpedestrian, we offer a new way of safe and fast transportation with our more than 4 thousand e-scooters in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.”

Design focused on driving and environmental safety

A survey conducted by McKinsey revealed that 70% of consumers are interested in micro-mobility solutions and prefer at least one of these solutions in their daily journeys. In the report, it is estimated that the sector will reach a volume of 500 billion dollars by 2030, while the concerns of abstaining consumers about driving safety have begun to decrease. Emphasizing that the risks of driving such as being small and being used standing up can be solved with a safety-based design approach, Haya Douidri said, “The e-scooters we offer as LINK by Superpedestrian include three independent brakes. Coming with a wider and longer body, LINK scooters prioritize passenger safety with their long-range batteries and high-visibility colors, lights and reflectors. On the other hand, thanks to the rollover detection system, there are no security risks and visual pollution in the areas where LINK scooters are left. Overturned scooters are repositioned by our field team in a way that does not interfere with daily life. Software designed by city planning experts and MIT engineers with high-quality materials and powered by artificial intelligence-supported sensors and microprocessors are among the strengths of LINK by Superpedestrian e-scooters.”

It erases the annual carbon emissions of 29 thousand cars

Stating that they operate in more than 60 cities in more than 11 countries today, Haya Douidri concluded: “Micro-mobility is becoming increasingly popular as one of the concepts that offers the key to reaching smart cities. McKinsey's research indicates that three out of 10 users want to be able to carry electric scooters in public transportation vehicles such as the subway and bus, while the increase in the applications of municipalities in this direction shows that this new transportation concept has been adopted in Turkey as well. The benefits of e-scooters are not limited to safety, speed and lower costs, given that a UK study has shown that electric scooters can avoid more than 44,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to the annual emissions of 29,000 cars. The new way of transportation also contributes to a sustainable future.”