Micromobility: Challenges and prospects for electric mobility devices (EMDs) in Hong Kong

In recent years, electric mobility devices (EMDs) have become popular in major cities across the globe. Whereas many cities have embraced and integrated this new form of urban green mobility into their public transport systems, in Hong Kong, the growing popularity of EMDs is being met with growing public and government concern about their safety. To address these concerns, the government proposed the EMD regulatory framework to manage their use in such a densely populated and mountainous city. The judicial definition of EMD in the current Hong Kong Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) considers devices such as unicycles, e-scooters, hoverboards, and electric bicycles as motor vehicles that are prohibited on the roadways, footpaths, and street flex zones. Referring to the transport review of the Hong Kong Legislative Council Panel conducted on June 19, 2020, in this study, we examine the costs and benefits o f u sing EMDs in such a densely populated city. Furthermore, we argue that less populous outlying islands could offer more suitable trial locations to integrate these innovative “first-last mile” micro vehicles. This article contributes to the existing EMD body of knowledge by highlighting the benefits a nd challenges w ith s pecific em phasis on Ho ng Kong’s EMD proposed framework.