Why is Soft Mobility the future of mobility in city centers?
Written by Tony Demeulemeester, Co-founder & COO @ Eli
January 26, 2026 · Updated February 10, 2026 · 7 min read
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Introduction
With the continuous growth of cities and the increasing challenges related to pollution, traffic jams, and quality of life, traditional urban transport models are showing their limits. Endless traffic jams, air pollution, and constant noise have become scourges in city centers, affecting both citizens’ health and the environment. Faced with these issues, public authorities, urban planners, and businesses are rethinking urban planning, turning towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
“Soft mobility” is one of the most promising responses to these problems. It refers to a set of modes of transport that minimize greenhouse gas emissions and urban nuisances. These modes include, for example, walking, electric-assist bicycles, traditional bicycles, carpooling, car sharing and public transport, all of which are alternatives to private cars.
Not only does soft mobility help reduce the environmental impact of travel, it also transforms the way residents interact with their urban environment. Far from being just a change in mode of transport, it offers a new way of designing the city, giving more space back to pedestrians, encouraging social interactions, and creating city centers that are more welcoming and more livable.
Beyond its ecological benefits, soft mobility is also a vector of well-being for residents. By encouraging walking and cycling, it promotes regular physical activity, and thus supports public health. In addition, it helps to relieve congestion on the roads, making daily journeys smoother and more pleasant.
In this context, more and more cities around the world, particularly in France, are becoming aware of the need to rethink their transport systems to incorporate more soft and sustainable solutions. Cities such as Strasbourg, Grenoble and Bordeaux are at the forefront of this transformation, implementing suitable infrastructure and encouraging their citizens to adopt these new modes of transport.
In this article, we will explore why soft mobility is emerging as the mobility of the future in city centers, what its benefits are for residents and the environment, and how urban areas can overcome challenges to support its development.
What is soft mobility?
“Soft mobility” encompasses modes of transport that are low-polluting or non-polluting. It includes so-called “active” travel, where human energy is used, such as walking or cycling, but it also includes alternative solutions to private cars, such as carpooling or car sharing.
The main objective of soft mobility is to reduce the environmental footprint of transport while offering practical alternatives for city dwellers. Indeed, public transport, when well integrated into a soft mobility network, can also be considered a sustainable means of travel.
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The Benefits of Soft Modes of Transport
The benefits of soft mobility are numerous, both for users and for local authorities.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
One of the main advantages of soft modes of transport is the significant reduction in CO2 emissions. For example, a person who chooses to travel by bike instead of using their car not only reduces their own carbon footprint, but also helps improve air quality in cities. A study by ADEME showed that cycling in the city helps avoid many tons of CO2: on average, for one kilometer traveled, GHG emissions are 94% lower for cycling than for driving.
Improved quality of life
Adopting soft mobility also helps combat noise pollution and reduce congestion in city centers, which are too often saturated with vehicles. This significantly improves the quality of life for city dwellers. Pedestrian areas and bike lanes foster a calmer atmosphere, conducive to relaxation and smooth circulation.
An issue for businesses and citizens
More and more companies are encouraging their employees to opt for soft modes of transport, notably by providing shared vehicles or by taking part in carpooling. This not only addresses environmental concerns but also economic ones, since these soft modes of mobility reduce costs related to commuting. To encourage the adoption of soft mobility for commuting, whether by bike, scooter, rollerblades, public transport or walking, an Eli challenge can help employees push themselves and adopt these modes of transport.
The importance of soft mobility in city centers
City centers play a crucial role in the transition toward more sustainable forms of transportation. Urban areas such as Grenoble, Strasbourg and Bordeaux have already taken significant measures to facilitate the adoption of soft mobility in their city centers. In Strasbourg, for example, 17% of daily trips are made by bike, thanks to suitable infrastructure such as cycle paths and secure parking for bicycles.
Integrating these modes of mobility into urban planning not only helps reduce the use of private cars, but also gives more space back to pedestrians and cyclists in safer and more pleasant environments.
Challenges and Obstacles to Implementation
Despite the many positive aspects, soft mobility still faces several challenges. One of the main obstacles is the lack of suitable infrastructure. In some cities, cycle paths and pedestrian zones are still insufficient, which discourages citizens from adopting these modes of transport.
Resistance to change
In addition, long-standing habits, such as the intensive use of private cars, are difficult to change. It is essential for local governments to invest in awareness campaigns and infrastructure to support the transition toward soft mobility.
Investment in infrastructure
Another major challenge lies in the need to invest in public transport and shared mobility platforms (car sharing, bike fleets, carpooling, etc.). This infrastructure must be designed to offer a credible alternative to cars by being reliable, affordable, and well connected.
Solutions and Strategies to Develop Soft Mobility
To overcome these obstacles, several solutions can be implemented:
Technology and innovation
New technologies play a key role in promoting soft mobility. Carpooling apps, electric bike rental services (such as Vélib in Paris, or Yélo in La Rochelle) and car-sharing platforms are concrete examples of innovations that make it easier to adopt soft modes of transport.
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Government initiatives
Local and national governments must encourage sustainable mobility through financial support and incentive-based policies. The Loi d’Orientation des Mobilités (LOM), for example, aims to facilitate the development of environmentally friendly mobility solutions in France.
Investment in infrastructure
Finally, it is essential to invest in suitable infrastructure, such as cycle paths, pedestrian zones and charging stations for electric vehicles. This infrastructure must be well integrated into public space to make soft mobility attractive and accessible.
Soft Mobility and Sustainable Development
Soft mobility (active and low-emission transport modes) is part of a broader framework of sustainable development, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of transport. France, through its National Low-Carbon Strategy, has set itself the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve this, a profound change in our travel habits is essential.
Impact on energy and pollution
Adopting soft mobility not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also lowers our energy consumption. In addition, improved air quality and reduced traffic congestion make cities more liveable for their inhabitants.
Collaboration between the public and private sectors
The transition to soft mobility requires close collaboration between governments, businesses and citizens. Public authorities must create incentive-based regulatory frameworks, while companies can play a key role by encouraging sustainable mobility practices within their organisations.
Conclusion
Soft mobility represents the future in city centres. By promoting non-polluting modes of transport, it helps reduce nuisances, improve quality of life and make urban spaces more pleasant to live in. By investing in appropriate infrastructure and raising public awareness, urban areas will be able to fully reap the benefits of soft mobility.
In a context where the fight against climate change is becoming increasingly urgent, soft mobility appears to be an essential solution for rethinking our neighbourhoods and preparing for the future.