Dolly micro-move app as an element of the Sustainable Mobility Platform

I have moved beyond discussing what I call the mobility shed ("Updating the mobilityshed / mobility shed concept") to thinking more about what I am calling the Sustainable Mobility Platform.  Although I need a top notch graphic designer to express it graphically.

The concept is influenced by a graphic from an older version of the German National Bike Plan and the Sustainable Transportation Hierarchy graphic produced by Transportation Alternatives.

Cycling as a system (of Traffic)

German National Bicycle Plan, 2002-2012

Mobility shed concept.  Note that the bands should vary in width depending on their catchment area.  The core point/hub is a transit station, commercial district, or major activity center.


Sustainable transportation hierarchy


Some Ikea stores in Denmark provide bikes and trailers to get purchases home.


What I say is that the idea of the sustainable mobility hierarchy is to support a lifestyle where owning a car is not required but car use can still be an element within it, for those trips where it makes the most sense.

It's a "car light" lifestyle, and there are many reasons for communities to support it from the standpoint of transportation demand management and optimal utilization of the throughput capacity of the transportation system.

These are the elements:

• walking
• cycling
• access to trailers
• cargo bikes
• transit
• bicycle sharing
• car sharing
• one-way car sharing
• two-way car sharing
• scooter sharing (there's a program in San Francisco)
• e-bikes
• taxi type services
• delivery services
• car rental

Of course, most of the elements, like the car sharing or bicycle examples, can be further divided and sub-categorized, depending on rider demographics, trip characteristics, etc.  I separated out e-bikes because to my way of thinking, they are more about serving longer trips (3-20 miles) for demographics unwilling to make such trips on a regular bike.

Dolly move and delivery service.  Anyway, I just learned about Dolly, an "on-demand moving service" for a limited number of items.  It's like "Uber" for delivery. From the website:

Dolly is a marketplace that allows background-checked Helpers with pickup trucks, vans, and large SUVs to connect with people who need help with micro-moves in the city. ...

We provide a price that's determined by distance, item count, and specific details about your item(s), with the choice of Curbside delivery for a discounted price. The minimum price is $30.

Right now Dolly operates in Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and San Diego ("Meet Dolly: A new way to move bulky items (without bugging friends," GeekWire).

Granted, Zipcar car sharing is also an option, as most of the vehicle fleets have a variety of vehicles including SUVs, pick ups, and vans. I've used Zipcar a bunch of times to move a large item (bookcases, file cabinets, outdoor grill) from where I've found or purchased them.

But Dolly is a good option when you need an extra pair of hands because of the size and/or weight of the item.