The Micromobility Podcast

Micromobility Industries

Welcome to Micromobility, a podcast exploring the disruption that comes from new lightweight utility vehicles. Using the history of computing as a framework, we unpack what business models and impacts we’re likely to see in transport in cities.

  1. Understanding Micromobility Insurance with Brandon Schuh, Senior VP & Head of Specialty Insurance, Christensen Group Insurance

    12 HR AGO

    Understanding Micromobility Insurance with Brandon Schuh, Senior VP & Head of Specialty Insurance, Christensen Group Insurance

    In this episode of the Micromobility Podcast, Prabin Joel Jones speaks with Brandon Schuh, Senior VP & Head of Specialty Insurance at Christensen Group, about the evolving role of insurance in the micromobility industry and why it has become a critical piece of the ecosystem. Brandon shares his perspective from working closely with operators across the space, breaking down how insurance has shifted from a barrier to a strategic enabler for micromobility companies. The conversation explores the early challenges insurers faced in understanding the category, and how data, improved vehicle durability, and operational maturity have helped reshape risk models. They discuss how insurance impacts unit economics, why claims data is one of the most valuable assets operators have, and how better alignment between cities, operators, and insurers can unlock more sustainable growth. The episode also dives into common misconceptions around risk, how insurers evaluate different vehicle types, and what operators can do to reduce costs while improving safety outcomes. Topics covered: • Why insurance is critical to the growth of micromobility • Early challenges insurers faced with e scooters and new mobility models • How data has improved underwriting and risk assessment • The relationship between safety, operations, and insurance costs • Why durability and vehicle design matter more than ever • Common misconceptions about micromobility risk • How claims data shapes pricing and coverage decisions • The role of insurers in working with cities and regulators • Differences in insuring scooters, bikes, and emerging vehicle types • How operators can lower premiums through better practices • The link between insurance and long term profitability • What the future of micromobility insurance could look like

    56 min
  2. Why Some Cities Win at Micromobility with Karen Vancluysen, Secretary General of POLIS

    13 APR

    Why Some Cities Win at Micromobility with Karen Vancluysen, Secretary General of POLIS

    In this episode of the Micromobility Podcast, Prabin Joel Jones speaks with Karen Vancluysen, Secretary General of Polis Network, about how cities across Europe are navigating the rise of micromobility and what separates those that succeed from those that struggle. Karen shares insights from over 30 years in urban mobility and more than 20 years at Polis, offering a behind the scenes look at how cities think about regulation, infrastructure, and innovation. The conversation explores why many of today’s mobility challenges have remained unchanged for decades, and how micromobility is forcing cities to finally act. They discuss the evolution of e scooters since 2018, the role of e bikes in extending trips beyond 5 km, and why infrastructure and space reallocation are more important than any new technology. The episode also dives into what cities got wrong in the early days, how regulation is evolving, and why partnerships between cities and operators are key to long term success. Topics covered: • Why urban mobility challenges have remained the same for over 30 years• The role of Polis Network and how cities collaborate• The arrival of micromobility and lessons since 2018• Why infrastructure is the biggest factor in success or failure• Moving from free floating chaos to structured hybrid systems• The importance of data driven decision making• Why micromobility is still expensive and where subsidies make sense• Real world examples from cities like Antwerp, Oslo, and Rome• Expanding micromobility beyond city centers into regional areas• New vehicle types and the challenges they bring• Why space reallocation matters more than technology• What the next 10 years could look like for cities

    1hr 7min
  3. Building Zeus Scooters and Acquiring Superpedestrian with Damian Young, Founder & CEO

    16 MAR

    Building Zeus Scooters and Acquiring Superpedestrian with Damian Young, Founder & CEO

    In this episode of the Micromobility Podcast, Damian Young, Founder and CEO of Zeus Scooters, joins the show to discuss the company’s journey from launching in smaller European cities to acquiring the assets of Superpedestrian. Zeus took a different path from many micromobility operators. Instead of chasing mega-cities and raising massive venture rounds, the company focused on smaller markets, built its own three-wheel scooter design, and maintained strict financial discipline. Now, with the acquisition of Superpedestrian’s assets, Zeus is entering a new phase of scale. The conversation covers the strategic thinking behind operating in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, how unit economics actually work in micromobility, why “rides per day” can be a misleading metric, and what the future of consolidation in the industry might look like. Damian also shares lessons from building through one of the toughest cycles the micromobility industry has seen. Topics covered • The founding story of Zeus Scooters• Why Zeus focused on smaller cities instead of mega markets• The strategy behind three-wheel shared scooters• Unit economics and price optimization in micromobility• EBITDA vs EBIT and profitability in the sector• Why many micromobility companies failed• The hidden impact of insurance costs• Acquiring Swings, Zipp, and Superpedestrian assets• What the next phase of consolidation could look like

    59 min
  4. Micromobility in London with Will Norman

    2 MAR

    Micromobility in London with Will Norman

    In this episode of the Micromobility Podcast, host Prabin Joel Jones (CEO, Micromobility Industries) sits down with Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, to unpack how one of the world’s biggest cities is reshaping its streets for people. Will explains why his job title exists in the first place, and why the real mission is bigger than bike lanes: making streets safer, integrating micromobility with the Tube and buses, and keeping London competitive as a global city. What you’ll hear in this conversation- How London went from ~90 km to 400+ km of cycleways and what it actually takes to deliver change at city scale- The “recipe” Will credits for progress: political courage, funding, technical expertise, campaigning communities, and data- Why the biggest barrier to mode shift is still safety and what London is doing under Vision Zero- The impact of 20 mph zones, safer street design, and London’s Direct Vision Standard for trucks- Why London still can’t properly regulate dockless shared bikes (and what’s changing with new legislation)- The truth about shared e-bikes in London: it’s not just the number of bikes, it’s where they are and how they’re managed- The governance challenge of London’s many boroughs, and why “border cut-offs” for shared bikes can be dangerous- Why shared e-scooters haven’t scaled like e-bikes (yet), and what needs to happen next- What’s coming in micromobility: cargo bikes, new form factors, and future-proof regulation- Will’s message to city officials worldwide trying to drive similar change: be brave, stay positive, prove it with data, and bring communities with you We also get into why cities like Paris and Brussels are pushing London to move faster, and why that global competition is healthy.

    53 min

About

Welcome to Micromobility, a podcast exploring the disruption that comes from new lightweight utility vehicles. Using the history of computing as a framework, we unpack what business models and impacts we’re likely to see in transport in cities.

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