Sustainable, Sharing Economy and Micromobility Models for Transportation
Indicative Return:
Investment Timeframe
Market Size
Ticket Size
Investing in sustainable, sharing economy and micromobility models for transportation
Expected ImpactThis IOA will increase the share of sustainable alternatives among urban transportation modes, thus reducing transportation-related CO2 emissions in the cities.
RegionsMarmara Region, Mediterranean Region, Aegean Region, Central Anatolia Region
Development need: In 2020, Turkey ranked 47th (out of 160) in the Logistics Performance Index after being ranked 34th in 2016.(1) Connections between industrial facilities, ports and railway systems are not adequately developed. To improve competitiveness, Turkey needs to reduce logistics costs and develop combined transportation modes with higher shares of railway and maritime transportation.(5)
Gender inequalities and marginalization issues: Transport is a male-dominated sector, female participation in the transport sector is around 10% in Turkey. Additionally, inadequate transport infrastructure impacts women’s access to work and education/skills-improvement, especially in rural areas. (19) Investments in transport infrastructure to incorporate new cities in the Turkish supply chain will decrease regional economic disparities
Investment opportunities: The total public investment in transportation is planned as 25 billion TRY (3.7 billion USD) with the largest shares going to railways (43%), highways (27%) and intracity transportation (23%).(7)
Key bottlenecks: Under-investment in transportation infrastructure poses supply-chain constraints for the exchange of products and services. As the population expands, the existing transportation infrastructure may be rendered insufficient. If transportation infrastructure is not developed, this will cause further issues in traffic congestion and reflect negatively on SDG 11.
Development need: Significant challenges remain for Turkey’s performance on SDG 11. % of public satisfied with public transport is well-below the long-term objective of 82.6% (at 57.81%). This indicator is exhibiting a trend of deterioration. The cities also exhibit great levels of air pollution. (2) This necessitates finding new and sustainable options to meet the demand for transport.
Policy priority: The 11th Development Plan highlights the need to encourage the use of sustainable transport options within cities such as bicycles. Object (703.5) notes that more bike sharing systems will be implemented. Moreover, the plan also highlights the need to address the pressure on public transport through sustainable alternatives
Gender inequalities and marginalization issues: Transport is a male-dominated sector, female participation in the transport sector is around 10% in Turkey. Additionally, inadequate transport infrastructure impacts women’s access to work and education/skills-improvement, especially in rural areas. (19) Investments in transport infrastructure to incorporate new cities in the Turkish supply chain will decrease regional economic disparities
Investment opportunities: A 2019 report by McKinsey (3) highlights that around 50-60% of all passenger trips are less than 8 kilometers, and therefore offer a very high potential for micromobility solutions in urban areas. For these models, globally, a CAGR of 19.9% between 2019 and 2025 is estimated (4).
Key bottlenecks: An e-scooter requires a wide sidewalk or dedicated bicycle lane where a rider can ride it safely. Further challenges may be caused by the topograph of the cities and connectivity (4)
Critical IOA Unit
The global micro-mobility market which was valued at $3 billion in 2018, is projected to reach around $9.8 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 19.9% between 2019 and 2025. (11)
“Interviewed investors active in the Turkish technology space estimate an IRR at the 12-20% level from investments in this field. ”
Gross margin for e-scooters as displayed by a US-based electronic scooter benchmark is around 19-33%.(12)
There are already campaigns to increase cycling and/or proven business models such as Martı in Turkey.
Ticket SizeCalculations show that one car emits 115 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which could be prevented if a cycle journey is taken as an alternative. Consequently, over a five-kilometer journey, a total of 575 grams of CO2 could be prevented through bicycle use. (13)
The carbon-dioxide emissions rates caused by passenger transportation in Turkey are likely to double by 2030. (14)
A 2019 report by McKinsey (3) highlights that around 50-60% of all passenger trips are less than 8 kilometers. There is a need to switch to more sustainable options in such small routes to both decrease traffic congestion and reduce transport’s footprint on the environment
Safe and secure ways of transportation are needed to increase women’s participation in the workplace and the public life.
“Reduce CO2 emissions from transportation and ensure traffic safety by increasing flexible and sustainable modes of transport such as cycling which can result in significant reductions in CO2 emissions and traffic accident fatalities and increase time saved on commuting.”
Increase Turkish cities’ alternative intracity transportation options by improving micro-mobility solutions while improving the 1.3% person per car rate. (11)
Reduce unemployment / increase transportation alternatives for rural, female or inmigrant population
Increase women’s participation in the workplace and public life through providing safe and secure transportation options
8.4.1 Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
Current Level16 tonnes per capita (15)
9.1.2 Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport
Current Level“Only available for train and air transport. Railway passengers carried: 4.39 billion passenger-km (15)”
11.2.1 Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities
Current Level“Not available Although SDG Dashboard’s satisfaction with transport index is similar: 57.81% (16)”
Target Level“Not available Although SDG Dashboard’s satisfaction with transport index is similar: 82.6% (16)”
Execution Risk
Impact Classification
B—Benefit Stakeholders
Increased share of environment-friendly modes in urban transportation.
Micromobility solutions especially benefit urban population by providing an affordable and flexible mode of transport and increasing time saved on commuting.
Medium Risk (Technological risks may cause disruptions in services.The use of micromobility services outside allotted lanes may increase traffic accidents.)
Turkey will undertake its first promotional campaign – “Get Turkey Cycling!” with a European Union (EU) fund that aims to encourage bicycle usage in urban areas. (17)
(11th Development Plan): The 11th Development Plan highlights the need to promote sustainable transportation models in the cities. It also details plans to develop bikelines and promote bike sharing as transportation alternative in congested cities
(2019-2023 Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation): The 2019-2023 Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation calls for the development of sustainable transportation infrastructure in the cities
Financial incentives: In April, the European Union awarded WRI Turkey Sustainable Cities funding from the Civil Society Support Programme II for the “Get Turkey Cycling!” campaign (18)
Other incentives: The Ministry of Industry and Technology and The Development and Investment Bank of Turkey established “The Technology and Innovation Fund” under the Turkey Development Fund to finance innovative tech. based companies/projects with a budget of 350 million TRY.
PRIVATE SECTOR
VC Firms such as 212 and Wamda Capital (Martı investors), companies like Martı, Zipcar, Blablacar, Voltlines, Zorlu.
GOVERNMENT
European Union (EU)
NON-PROFIT
SECTOR SOURCES
IOA SOURCES
11) Coruscate, 2020.
12) Inc.
13) Anadolu Agency, 2019. Turkey launches 1st communication drive for cycle lanes.
14) Bianet,
16) SDG Index & Dashboard, 2020,
17) Anadolu Agency, 2019. Turkey launches 1st communication drive for cycle lanes.
18) WRI, 2019. ‘Get Turkey Cycling!’ Campaign Takes Off in 3 Turkish Cities.
19) European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, Transportation Strategy 2019-2024,