In urban areas, there have been plenty of programs introducing bikes, scooters, cars and other compact ways of getting around, and the Finnish city of Lahti is introducing something entirely new with its ski-sharing program. The public program gives people in the city the chance to pick up a pair of skis as a sustainable way of getting around the city. While this program not only provides exercise and recreation, it's also a method of mobility and it has the potential to help people run errands in a different way.
With this initiative, the city is helping to bring awareness to the fact it was named the European Green Capital of the year. By 2025, Lahti is on a mission to be carbon neutral and sustainable transportation will play a big part in this shift.
Urban Ski-Sharing Programs
Lahti is Introducing a New Way for People to Get Around the City
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Mobility Options - The trend of providing sustainable mobility options through urban ski-sharing programs can be capitalized by transportation companies by offering affordable ski-sharing programs in areas with snowy conditions.
2. Alternative Urban Commuting Modes - The trend for introducing ski-sharing programs for alternative commuting in the urban setting opens opportunities for companies to introduce other alternative commuting modes for winter conditions in snowy, icy, and hilly areas.
3. Exercise-based Mobility - The trend for creating exercise-based mobility infrastructure, such as ski-sharing programs, opens up opportunities for fitness companies to partner with cities and provide additional public fitness equipment and programs in public areas with winter weather.
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - The introduction of sustainable ski-sharing programs in urban areas can offer transportation companies an opportunity to increase revenue through renting and maintaining snow equipment and infrastructures.
2. Hospitality - The hospitality industry can develop ski-sharing programs to complement existing outdoor winter activities and sports products, such as winter resorts or winter sportswear retailers.
3. Fitness - The introduction of fitness-based ski-sharing programs in urban areas offers fitness companies the opportunity to expand their target market by incorporating skiing into the public exercise routines and offering fitness equipment for public use in areas with snowy conditions.