The adoption of electric scooters and e-bikes has established micromobility as a staple of modern urban transport. However, the onset of winter introduces significant variables—ranging from electrochemical changes in batteries to reduced coefficient of friction on roadways—that alter the viability and safety of these vehicles. Successfully navigating winter requires a shift in maintenance protocols, riding behavior, and fleet management strategies.
Safety and Vehicle Dynamics
The primary risk factor in winter micromobility is the loss of traction combined with reduced visibility. Two-wheeled vehicles rely entirely on a small contact patch for stability, making them disproportionately sensitive to ice, slush, and packed snow.
- Tire Physics and Traction: Standard pneumatic tires harden in sub-freezing temperatures, reducing their ability to grip pavement. For personal owners, the most effective upgrade is the installation of studded tires, which feature carbide or steel pins to penetrate ice. Alternatively, riders often lower tire pressure slightly; this increases the tire’s surface area (contact patch) with the road, improving grip, though at the cost of slightly reduced range.
- Center of Gravity and Braking: On slippery surfaces, stopping distances can double or triple. Riders must adapt by employing anticipatory braking—beginning to decelerate well before an intersection—and avoiding sudden inputs. E-scooters, which have small wheels and a high center of gravity relative to the wheelbase, are particularly prone to tipping if the front wheel locks up. Shifting body weight rearward during braking can help prevent the rear wheel from lifting or sliding.
- Thermal Management for Riders: Unlike traditional cycling, riding an e-scooter involves minimal physical exertion. This lack of metabolic heat generation, combined with wind chill at riding speeds, creates a high risk of hypothermia for unprepared riders. Windproof outer layers are more critical than insulation alone, as cutting the wind chill is the priority.
When choosing, consider factors like range, weight, battery life, and your typical commute distance to find the perfect match.
Battery Chemistry and Vehicle Maintenance
Cold weather affects the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries, which are standard in almost all micromobility devices.
- Impact on Range and Voltage: Low temperatures increase the internal resistance of lithium-ion cells. This manifests as “voltage sag,” where the battery appears to lose power under load (acceleration) more quickly than usual. Riders should anticipate a temporary range reduction of 20% to 50%, depending on the severity of the cold.
- The Charging Danger: It is critical to never charge a lithium-ion battery when its core temperature is below freezing (0°C). Charging at freezing temperatures can cause lithium plating, where metallic lithium forms on the anode instead of intercalating into it. This not only permanently degrades capacity but significantly increases the risk of short circuits and battery failure. Batteries should be brought indoors and allowed to reach room temperature before charging.
- Corrosion Mitigation: Municipalities often use sodium chloride or calcium chloride to de-ice roads. These salts are highly conductive and corrosive. If left on a vehicle, they can degrade electrical contacts, seize mechanical brake calipers, and rust chains. Frequent cleaning with a damp cloth (avoiding high-pressure water which can force salt into bearings) is necessary to preserve the vehicle’s lifespan.
Shared Fleet Operational Adjustments
For shared micromobility operators (like Lime, Bird, or Bolt), winter represents a period of reduced revenue and increased operational complexity.
- Fleet Right-Sizing and Hibernation: Demand for shared rides typically drops significantly in winter months. To reduce unnecessary wear and operational costs, operators often remove a portion of their fleet from the streets. In extreme climates, such as parts of Scandinavia or Canada, services may enter full hibernation, removing all vehicles until spring to protect assets.
- Strategic Redistribution: Tourist ridership effectively vanishes in winter. Successful operators pivot their strategy to serve local commuters who rely on micromobility for “last-mile” connection to public transit. This often involves moving vehicle deployment zones away from city centers and parks toward residential areas and subway or bus stations.
- Infrastructure Dependency: The viability of winter riding often depends less on the vehicle and more on municipal maintenance. Cities that prioritize clearing protected bike lanes—sometimes using brine or heated paths—see significantly higher winter ridership retention than cities that pile snow from the road into the bike lanes.
While winter presents substantial friction to the micromobility sector, technological adaptations and informed maintenance can maintain utility for year-round commuters. As battery technology improves and cities better maintain cycling infrastructure, the seasonality gap in micromobility usage is likely to narrow.
Sources:
- Zag Daily. (2025). 5 Revenue Boosting Hacks for Micromobility Operators During the Winter Months.
- Tern Bicycles. (2025). 13 Tips for Cycling in Snow and Ice.
- Lokki. (2024). How to prepare your electric scooter for winter.
- Äike. (2023). Riding an Electric Scooter in Winter: What You Need to Know.
- Zoba. (2019). Winter is Coming… for 90% of All Micromobility Markets.
- Horizon Micromobility. (2022). E-bike and e-scooter winter riding tips.
