SUNDAY BREE

This is a Young Urbanists Project

MICRO-MOBILITY EXHIBITION

Championing last and first mile connections

Gauteng, South Africa

Creating an integrated transportation system

In October 2024, the Active Mobility Forum, in collaboration with Young Urbanists NPC, hosted the Micro-Mobility Exhibition and curated the first Active Mobility & Universal Access Stage at Smarter Mobility Africa, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

While Smarter Mobility Africa has long been a leader in the electric vehicle and public transport space, this was one of the first major efforts to give walking, cycling, and small electric modes of transport the visibility and depth they deserve in national mobility discussions.

The Micro-Mobility Exhibition ran across both days of the conference and featured a wide range of practical, locally-relevant micro-mobility modes: from cargo bikes and delivery e-bikes to waste trolleys, wheelchairs, and skateboards. Partners like Green Riders, Go Electric, Mellovan, and Blind SA showcased real-world applications and innovations aligned with our soon-to-be-launched Micro-Mobility Framework.

This wasn’t just an exhibition—it was a milestone for active mobility advocacy in South Africa. Minister Barbara Creecy’s visit further elevated the platform, as she noted the urgent need for better integration between rail and safe, reliable first- and last-mile solutions.

We are now working with Kembali Consulting and partner municipalities to finalise a Micro-Mobility Framework to guide planning and policy at the local level. Since the exhibition, important legislative progress has been made—most notably, changes to the National Road Traffic Act now legally recognise e-bikes as a formal mode of transport. You can listen to our Managing Director speaking to Clarence Ford on CapeTalk on the opportunity this amendment brings.

And yes—we plan to return to Smarter Mobility Africa later this year with an even bigger and more inclusive Micro-Mobility Exhibition. Watch this space.

In October 2024, we hosted the first Micro-Mobility Exhibition and curated the Active Mobility & Universal Access Stage at Smarter Mobility Africa. The two-day showcase featured local micro-mobility solutions—from e-bikes and cargo scooters to waste trolleys and mobility aids—while the stage convened national voices on road safety, universal access, commuter cycling, and micro-mobility policy.

Since then, the National Road Traffic Act was amended to formally recognise e-bikes on South African roads. We are now working with Kembali Consulting and partner cities on a Micro-Mobility Framework, and plan to bring the exhibition back to SMA later this year.

For more, read YU's 2024 - 25' Chairperson's Report here.

MEDIA Listen to the Minister of Transportation speaking at the Summit around why railway system should be the backbone for passengers and freight.

COLLABORATORS Project managed by Young Urbanists Partnership between Active Mobility Forum and Smarter Mobility Africa

NEXT STEPS We’re finalising a national Micro-Mobility Framework with Kembali Consulting and municipal partners, following recent changes to the National Road Traffic Act. And yes—the Micro-Mobility Exhibition might return to Smarter Mobility Africa later this year, bigger and more inclusive.

We Advocate for Infrastructure, not paint. Fueled by Young Urbanists and the Bicycle Mayor of Cape Town

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