FEATURE Fabio Marzola, Division Manager of eBike Drive Units & Systems, Yamaha 1. How does the cycling industry see micromobility evolving in 2026?
“Micromobility is evolving rapidly from an emerging niche to an essential part of urban transportation ecosystems. By 2026, we expect to see continued growth in demand for compact, efficient, and connected mobility solutions - products that respond to the need for flexibility, sustainability, and personal freedom in increasingly congested cities. The cycling industry, including companies like Yamaha, is focusing on developing smarter electric systems, improving battery performance, and creating products that seamlessly integrate with digital ecosystems.
We see collaboration between private operators, municipalities, and technology partners as key to shaping a more sustainable and inclusive micromobility landscape. For Yamaha, micromobility isn’t just about “micro” vehicles - it’s about expanding the concept of mobility itself, giving people more choices in how they move through their daily lives, in a market where different vehicles coexist and complement each other, offering consumers reliable, connected, and enjoyable mobility experiences.”
2. Does shared mobility (eg. Lime, Bolt, Forest) offer the cycling industry a familiar and welcome route into the homes and lives of people (general population), not cyclists?
“Yes, I believe these hire-bike services are convenient and accessible for the general
population. Even people who are not regular cyclists may find themselves needing a quick and practical means of transportation for short trips or city-centre errands. App- based access makes the process fast and straightforward, while the availability of e-bikes in strategic urban areas—such as near train stations or transport hubs—ensures ease of use. However, issues like overcrowding and unregulated behaviour can sometimes undermine public acceptance of these shared mobility options.”
3. How does the cycling industry successfully lobby, at national, international (governmental), and transnational (non-state-centric) levels, to influence future policy, funding, and infrastructure - critical to growing the number of people choosing to ride a bicycle as a form of reliable, safe, daily transport?
“I don’t believe the cycling industry is yet sufficiently structured or coordinated to make policymakers truly shift their priorities. At the European level, there’s still no strong, unified body capable of lobbying effectively for cycling-related policy, funding, and infrastructure. Perhaps with the recent merger of CONEBI and CEI, we’ll start to see more cohesion and a stronger collective voice emerging. Europe remains highly fragmented in terms of safety standards, infrastructure investment, and even public
attitudes toward cyclists. In some countries, cycling is deeply embedded in the culture and supported by robust policy frameworks, while in others it’s still seen as recreational rather than a legitimate mode of daily transport. Until there’s a more harmonised and proactive approach—both from within the industry and from public institutions—the potential of cycling as a reliable, safe, and sustainable means of transport will remain under- realised.”
www.bikebiz.com
December 2025 | 39
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