CoMoUK ‘pop up’ hubs drive shift towards active travel

by Kevin Borras

Pop up’ mobility hubs installed across Scotland are encouraging residents to walk, wheel and cycle for local journeys, says CoMoUK. The shared transport charity has been running the temporary hubs for an average of eight weeks since November 2023, most recently in north Edinburgh for seven weeks until mid-September.

CoMoUK’s pop-up mobility hubs are small, moveable, modular parklets that have planting, seating, a bike repair stand and act as a pop-up bike hire station. hase one of the project was delivered in partnership with HITRANS and FEL Scotland. Phase two was delivered in partnership with Glasgow City Council, HITRANS and BetterPoints. The hubs were a finalist in the Scottish Transport Awards’ Most Innovative Transport Project of the Year 2025.

The hub tackles barriers to active travel by: expanding access to bike sharing, creating a pleasant place to rest while walking or wheeling, and providing free bike repair tools. Pop-up mobility hubs are a fun and visible tool for engaging people in active travel. The hub makes an excellent base for activities such as led walks or bike repair sessions, giving the hubs community buy-in.

Mobility hubs work best when part of a wider sustainable transport network that provides active travel, public transport and shared transport options.

The pop-up hubs are a valuable tool to support a variety of sustainable transport initiatives, from testing demand for bike sharing expansion to kerbside reallocation plans.

The most recent pop-up mobility hubs project ended in April 2025 with the promise of an update on future pop-up hub projects in the offing.

CoMoUK is interested in talking to authorities and other organisations about leasing our hubs for future projects.

“We can offer a package of CoMoUK support across site selection, logistics, community consultation, engagement activities, including the option to procure new hubs,” the company says.

“Our pop-up mobility hubs offer builds on our experience gained from running pop-up hubs in and around Inverness, Glasgow and the Forth Valley from November 2023 onwards.”

To find out more, view the document below or get in touch at [email protected].