Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Sheffield are the UK's five best-equipped cities for developing 'micromobility-as-a-service', according to traffic information specialist INRIX.
The planned deployment of shared bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters could replace cars for journeys of up to three miles, INRIX said.
The company, which analyses flows using road sensors and moving vehicles, has collated results from data points in 35 major cities across Europe and the US and logged over 30 million car trips in the UK.
London's fourth place reflects the density of its public transport network and walkable district neighbourhoods. INRIX rates the west of the capital as its most promising sector, based on typical trip lengths.
Forecast benefits from increased use of these alternatives to the car include reduced energy use and parking space needs, less congestion and lower emissions levels, and cheaper travel.
But, INRIX said, cities will need to adapt their road space management strategies, for example to include provision for pick-up and drop-off points for dockless vehicles and avoid conflicts with pedestrians.
In the long term, the company sees scope for apps to replace conventional markings using paint and signs.
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