Examining the Potential of Micromobility to Reduce Urban Air Pollution and Associated Health Hazards

This study examines the relationship between micro-mobility usage and air quality across six major cities in Turkey, highlighting the environmental benefits of sustainable transportation systems. Micro-mobility, including e-scooters and bicycles, has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuel-dependent modes of transport. To quantify the adoption of micro-mobility, a Micro-Mobility Usage Index (MMUI) was developed, using data on user frequency from the Moovit platform. Air quality indicators, PM2.5 and PM10, were derived from the World Air Pollution platform. Among the cities studied, Antalya displayed the highest MMUI score (61.4) and the lowest PM2.5 (54.7) and PM10 (51.2) levels, suggesting a strong link between high micro-mobility adoption and improved air quality. In contrast, Ankara had the highest PM2.5 concentration (99.2) and a lower MMUI (20.3). The Pearson correlation coefficients indicated a strong negative relationship between MMUI and air pollution levels, with values of -0.8932 for PM2.5 and -0.8364 for PM10. These findings underscore the potential of micro-mobility systems to mitigate urban air pollution, though challenges such as infrastructure and cultural acceptance remain critical.