UC Berkeley Transportation Sustainability Research Center

Shared mobility—the shared use of a vehicle, bicycle, or other mode—is an innovative transportation strategy that enables users to gain short-term access to transportation modes on an as-needed basis. The term shared mobility includes various forms of carsharing, bikesharing, ridesharing (carpooling and vanpooling), and on-demand ride services. It can also include alternative transit services, such as paratransit, shuttles, and private transit services (called microtransit), which can supplement fixed-route bus and rail services. With diverse options for mobility on the rise, smartphone apps that aggregate these options and optimize routes for travelers are also proliferating. In addition to these emerging travel modes, innovative ways of transporting and delivering goods are evolving. These courier network services have the potential to change the nature of the package and food delivery industry, as well as the broader transportation network. Shared mobility is playing a transformational role in many global cities by enhancing transportation accessibility, while simultaneously reducing driving and personal vehicle ownership.