The Future of Travel Isn’t Ownership – It’s Access

June 2025

Sustainability & Smart Cities

Thomas Wilson

Senior Research Analyst

Shared mobility refers to transport services that give people access to vehicles without needing to own them. This includes options like ride sharing, ride-hailing, bike sharing, eScooters, and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). These services allow users to choose the best mode of transport for each trip, support multimodal journeys, and help fill in the gaps left by public transport.

By reducing the need for private cars, shared mobility improves convenience, offers more choice, and makes travel more affordable; particularly for those who can’t or don’t want to own a vehicle. It also brings wider benefits: easing congestion, lowering emissions, and supporting more sustainable travel. Ultimately, shared mobility gives people flexible transport solutions that adapt to different needs and contexts.

This shift toward access over ownership is becoming especially noticeable among younger generations. A 2025 report by PYMNTS found that many younger adults, particularly 'zillennials' (those born between 1991 and 1999), are beginning to downplay the importance of owning a vehicle altogether.

For this group, major purchases like cars can feel out of reach - and often unnecessary. The report found that 14% of zillennials cited saving for a down payment as the biggest hurdle to car ownership. With high upfront costs a major barrier, shared mobility is becoming an increasingly appealing alternative. It provides access without long-term financial commitments, challenging the long-standing assumption that a car is something everyone needs to own.

Of course, shared mobility has its trade-offs. What it can’t quite replicate is the personal freedom that comes with owning a car; being able to get in and go, anytime, anywhere. For those with daily commutes, regular errands, or the need for spontaneous travel, a private vehicle still holds strong appeal.

However, car ownership comes at a price. Insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and initial purchase costs quickly add up. Shared services offer more flexibility, spreading costs among users and removing the burden of upkeep. While they may not always be as instantly available or exclusive as private vehicles, they offer a strong value proposition for many users - particularly in cities.

What Influences the Access vs Ownership Decision?

A few key factors tend to shape how people feel about car ownership versus shared services:

• Urban vs. rural needs – Shared mobility thrives in cities, where demand is high and infrastructure is already in place. In contrast, rural areas often lack coverage, making car ownership the more practical choice.
• Environmental impact – Access-based models reduce the number of vehicles on the road, lower emissions, and promote more sustainable travel patterns.
• Infrastructure – Reliable shared mobility depends on solid infrastructure. Without it, adoption can stall, and reliance on private vehicles continues.
• Lifestyle and preference – Urban residents often benefit most from shared mobility, with easy access to public transport and less day-to-day need for a personal car. Convenience, flexibility, and sustainability often win out in busy city environments.

The Growing Role of Micromobility

Micromobility - including eScooters and bike-sharing schemes - is helping to reshape how people think about travel, especially in cities. These options offer a convenient, low-cost, and environmentally friendly way to replace short car trips. In some cities, studies show that up to 24% of micromobility journeys are directly displacing car use.

They also pair well with public transport, making multimodal journeys easier and helping reduce the need for personal vehicles. This improves air quality, reduces traffic, and gives urban residents more affordable ways to get around.

And while micromobility has so far made the biggest impact in urban settings, it’s starting to gain traction in rural areas too. In regions where buses or trains are limited, shared micromobility can provide a valuable link to jobs, schools, and local services. Programmes like KANcycle in Kansas show how rural communities can successfully integrate bike-sharing into their wider transport networks; improving access and encouraging more active travel.

In the UK, most micromobility schemes are still concentrated in towns and cities, but there’s real potential for rural expansion. For places often left behind by traditional transport models, shared bikes and scooters could offer a practical, affordable alternative.

What’s Next?

As we discuss in our upcoming research, access-based mobility will continue to grow in importance; especially in urban environments. As transport networks become more connected and digital services expand, shared mobility is already reducing dependence on private cars.

Further investment in rural infrastructure - from digital connectivity to charging points - will help close the gap outside city centres. Meanwhile, younger generations are driving a cultural shift toward cost-effective, on-demand transport that fits into their digital lifestyles and environmental values.

Micromobility is central to this shift. It challenges the assumption that car ownership is the only route to reliable transport and proves that flexible, accessible options can work for a wide range of people. As these services continue to expand and improve, they’ll play a major role in reducing car dependency, improving sustainability, and shaping the future of travel for everyone; whether you live in a city, town, or rural community.

As a Research Analyst, Thomas delivers timely trend analysis, sharp evaluations of the competitive landscape, and detailed market sizing across dynamic sectors such as Shared Mobility, Heat Pumps, and Renewable Energy Technologies. His insights help clients stay ahead in industries shaped by innovation and rapid change.