Beyond the Last Mile: How Micromobility Completes the Trip
Micromobility is transforming how people move through cities and suburbs across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Lightweight, low-speed, flexible modes of personal transport such as bikes, e-scooters, and other small-scale modes are making it easier to travel short distances while bridging the gap between walking, driving, and public transit.
In the Washington, DC metro area, micromobility enhances access to Metrorail, bus routes, and emerging Bus Rapid Transit corridors. In growing suburban centers like Tysons, Reston, and Arlington, all in Northern Virginia, it provides a practical way to connect residents to jobs, services, and community destinations while reducing reliance on personal vehicles.
At Gorove Slade, we view micromobility as an essential part of a comprehensive, multimodal transportation network. We work to integrate micromobility access and the supporting infrastructure into corridor studies, access plans, and site designs to ensure safe, efficient connections for all travelers. Through data-driven analysis and thoughtful design, such as protected lanes, effective curb management, and first- and last-mile solutions, we help communities build sustainable, safe, and economically vibrant transportation systems.
The First Mile/Last Mile Challenge
The “first mile” and “last mile” challenge is one that is often overlooked and underrecognized in a public transportation system. Kåresdotter et al. define the first mile as “the distance between public transport and the end-destination,” and the last mile as “the distance between the residence and public transport.” Oftentimes, public transportation systems face difficulties in connecting a person’s origin and destination to a public transit route, with these segments tending to be the least efficient and most inconvenient.
Although this is a significant challenge for many public transportation systems, vehicular trips almost never experience this issue. Due to the proliferation of parking throughout all parts of our society, almost all vehicular trips can start and end mere feet from their origin and destination, eliminating the first and last mile challenge. Research shows that improved cycling infrastructure can significantly enhance this connectivity—we explored the broader benefits of embracing biking as a commuting option in our analysis of urban mobility patterns.
With this in mind, the effective implementation of micromobility as part of a broader public transportation network can mimic many of the same advantages that personal vehicles provide, but without many of their drawbacks. Like personal vehicles, micromobility allows users to park right at their origin and destination, all while occupying less space on the road, requiring less space to park, and generating less pollution. Additionally, as micromobility reduces demand for traditional parking infrastructure, it frees up valuable land for more productive uses—a dynamic we examined in our look at the hidden impact of parking garage design.
Long-Term Strategies and Benefits of Micromobility
- Reduces local congestion: Shifts short-distance trips away from single-occupancy vehicles, freeing up road capacity.
- Improves first- and last-mile connectivity: Enhances access between residential areas, activity centers, and transit hubs.
- Supports sustainability goals: Lowers greenhouse gas emissions and overall transportation-related energy use. Also increases opportunities for walking and cycling, contributing to public health benefits.
- Expands travel options: Offers flexible, affordable, and convenient alternatives for short urban and suburban trips.
- Promotes equitable mobility: Provides additional transportation choices for people without access to a private vehicle.
- Optimizes land use efficiency: Reduces parking demand and supports compact, mixed-use development patterns.
- Stimulates local economies: Increases access to nearby businesses and destinations through improved mobility.
- Enhances multimodal integration: Complements nearby transit systems and broader transportation demand management strategies.
Cyclists using Capital Bikeshare on The Wharf’s bike lane, with more micromobility options nearby.
Beyond Urban Space
Micromobility options, such as e-scooters and e-bikes, are increasingly expanding beyond dense urban centers into suburban and even exurban areas. In Northern Virginia, communities including Tysons, Reston, and Fairfax City have introduced shared micromobility programs to enhance short-trip connectivity and reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles. Nearby jurisdictions such as Loudoun County as well as along the Route 1 corridor between 12th Street and just south of 23rd Street in Arlington County are beginning to incorporate micromobility into broader multimodal transportation strategies aimed at improving access to nearby transit hubs and activity centers. This gradual expansion reflects a regional shift toward more flexible and sustainable travel options that align with evolving land-use patterns and support the long-term goals of accessibility, congestion management, and environmental stewardship.
Micromobility is more than a trend. It represents a shift toward more connected, people-focused transportation networks. Through strategic planning and engineering, our team helps jurisdictions across the DC region create streets that work for everyone—spaces that move not just vehicles but communities.
Ready to integrate micromobility into your next project?
Gorove Slade brings expertise in multimodal planning and engineering to help developers, communities, and agencies design transportation systems that work for everyone. From corridor studies to site-specific access plans, we create infrastructure solutions that connect people to where they need to go.
Contact us to learn how micromobility can strengthen your development’s transportation strategy and support your long-term goals.
Reference:
Kåresdotter, E., Page, J., Mörtberg, U., Näsström, H., & Kalantari, Z. (2022). First Mile/Last Mile Problems in Smart and Sustainable Cities: A Case Study in Stockholm County. Journal of Urban Technology, 29(2), 115–137.
On the Rochambeau Memorial Bridge, heading from Arlington, VA, into Washington, DC
