Background

While mobility hubs are common in many parts of continental Europe, in the UK they are a new but growing concept. CoMoUK started the pop-up mobility hubs project with the aim of demonstrating the potential of mobility hubs in a UK context.

In 2024/25 we secured funding from Smarter Choices, Smarter Places’ Open Fund a grant of Transport Scotland, for phase two of the project. The aim of this fund was to support more people in Scotland to walk, wheel or cycle for short, local journeys.

The project drew inspiration from other initiatives, such as: Meristem’s permanent parklet mobility hub for the London Borough of Redbridge; Mobipunt vzw’s short-term pop-up mobility hubs (‘Hoppinpunts’) in Leuven, Belgium; and Transport for West Midland’s mobility hubs trial in 2021.

Summary

Phase two of the project ran between 31 March 2024 and 30 March 2025. One hub was based in Inverness and one in Glasgow, with three and four pop-ups per hub respectively. Each hub spent on average eight weeks at each site. Engaging with the community was crucial for the success of the hubs. Free activities for the pop-ups included led walks, bike repair sessions and morning coffee meet-ups.

Project partners for phase two included: HITRANS (operator of Inverness’ Hi-Bike rental scheme), Glasgow City Council, nextbike (operator of Glasgow’s bike rental scheme).

Community groups and organisations that helped to host and promote the hubs included: Bike for Good, Velocity Café and Bicycle Workshop, Partnerships for Wellbeing, Merkinch Community Council, BetterPoints, Mount Florida Community Council, Women on Wheels, Dynamo CIC, LEAP Sports and Kinning Park Complex.

Locations and activities

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Activities

• Dr Bike
• Litter picking
• Led walk
• Led ride
• Coffee meet-up
• Bike maintenance class
• Balance bike session
• Skateboarding session

Impact in numbers

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