175: Micromobility fires, standards and transport equity with Melinda Hanson

175: Micromobility fires, standards and transport equity with Melinda Hanson

Author: Oliver Bruce and Horace Dediu March 23, 2023 Duration: 48:04

This week Oliver interviews Melinda Hansen, founder of consulting firm Brightside and formerly the head of sustainability at Bird. They talk about the recent spate of Micromobility/ebike battery fires in New York and the response there as well as the wider conversation about equitable transport options, from her work with the equitable commute project.


Like we’ve discussed many times on the show, we think that there is a real opportunity for Micromobility to contribute to the conversation. We really love Melinda‘s take on the whole space – she has a wealth of industry knowledge and is in New York with the legislators having the grunty conversations that will help lead the industry forward. Really hope that you enjoy this episode as we did.


Specifically they tackle:


- The E-bike fires for the Micromobility Podcast and know that you've been doing some advocacy in this space.

- The work on transport equity she has been doing

- How she is working to better aggregate and lobby for ebike subsidies at MMI.

- How micromobility companies can play a more active role in getting streets ready for smaller vehicles.


Connect with Melinda on LinkedIn and Twitter



Catch us on ⁠Twitter⁠⁠Horace⁠ and ⁠Oliver ⁠are also active on their personal accounts and would love to hear from you.

Catch us on Twitter ⁠@MicromobilityCo⁠⁠Horace⁠ and ⁠Oliver⁠ are also active on their personal accounts and would love to hear from you.

Our ⁠Micromobility Newsletter⁠ is completely free, and you can subscribe to have it in your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday morning. And for those who want more, we offer ⁠Micromobility Pro membership⁠ that includes exclusive content and conference discounts, as well as live calls with Horace and team.

We’re also on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠.



Ed Niedermeyer, an author and analyst with a sharp focus on the automotive world, guides Ride AI alongside co-hosts Horace Dediu, Oliver Bruce, and James Gross. Together, they navigate the complex intersection where artificial intelligence meets transportation, a space that's rapidly reshaping how we think about movement, business, and urban life. This isn't just a series of interviews; it's a deep exploration of the forces driving change, from autonomous vehicles and electric scooters to the broader economic and societal shifts they trigger. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the strategies and struggles of founders, investors, and engineers who are building the future of mobility. You'll hear candid discussions that go beyond the hype, focusing on the practical realities of investment, the nuances of technological adoption, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures in the field. For anyone curious about the business models behind the tech or the investment theses shaping this volatile sector, this podcast offers a grounded, insightful perspective. Tune in for conversations that are as much about the journey of innovation as they are about the destination.
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