A Subtle Shift in How We Move
Across Canada, something subtle is beginning to take shape in how people think about getting around. It is not a dramatic shift or a sudden change in behaviour, but rather a gradual reconsideration of what everyday travel could look like. An e-bike passing quietly through traffic, a scooter weaving through a downtown street, a shorter trip that suddenly feels possible without a car. These small moments are starting to add up.
To better understand this evolving mindset, the Ispiciwin Project surveyed more than 500 Canadians from a range of regions, age groups, and lifestyles. The goal was simple. To understand how people move today, what they know about micro-electric vehicles, and whether they see a place for them in their own lives.
Familiar, But Not Yet Experienced
What emerged from the findings is not resistance, but a kind of cautious openness. Most Canadians are already familiar with micro-ZEVs like e-bikes and e-scooters. These are no longer niche technologies or unfamiliar concepts. They have entered the public conversation in a meaningful way. And yet, despite that growing awareness, only about half of respondents have ever actually tried one.
That gap between awareness and experience reveals something important. It suggests that the barrier is not necessarily skepticism, but proximity. People are not dismissing micro-mobility. They simply have not had enough opportunities to engage with it in a tangible way. Knowing something exists is very different from understanding how it fits into your daily routine, and it is often that first experience that determines whether curiosity turns into adoption.
Still Grounded in Familiar Habits
For now, most Canadians continue to rely on familiar transportation habits. Personal vehicles remain the dominant mode of travel, accounting for nearly half of all responses, with public transit and walking following behind. Micro-mobility, while present, remains on the periphery. A small but growing number of people are incorporating e-bikes and scooters into their routines, hinting at what may come next, but it has not yet become a widespread norm.
What is striking, however, is how clearly people understand the potential value of these options. When asked about the benefits of micro-ZEVs, respondents consistently pointed to affordability, environmental impact, and convenience. These are not abstract advantages. They are practical considerations that align closely with everyday decision-making. At the same time, many respondents also described these vehicles as enjoyable to use, a detail that may seem secondary but plays an important role in shaping long-term behaviour. People are more likely to adopt something that feels not only useful, but also engaging.
The Real Barriers Are Familiar Too
Still, interest alone does not eliminate hesitation. The survey highlights a set of concerns that are both consistent and deeply rooted in the Canadian context. Weather, particularly cold and snowy conditions, remains one of the most frequently cited barriers. Safety concerns and the lack of protected infrastructure also weigh heavily on people’s minds. These are not theoretical issues. They reflect real-world conditions that influence whether someone feels comfortable making a change.
Where Momentum Begins
And yet, even with those concerns in place, the overall outlook remains encouraging. A clear majority of respondents expressed interest in trying a micro-ZEV, and more than half indicated they would consider purchasing or renting one in the future. What appears to be missing is not intent, but a pathway forward.
The findings point to a simple but powerful conclusion. People are far more likely to adopt micro-mobility when they are given the opportunity to experience it firsthand. Free trials, accessible test rides, and visible infrastructure consistently emerged as the most effective ways to move individuals from curiosity to action. In many cases, it is not a matter of convincing people that these options are worthwhile, but of creating the conditions that allow them to see it for themselves.
Closing the Gap
In that sense, the transition to micro-mobility in Canada is not being held back by a lack of interest. It is being shaped by a lack of exposure. The willingness is there. The curiosity is there. What remains is the opportunity to bridge the space between the two.
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