Inline Insights

COVID-19 has shown us both how reliant we are on gig workers, and how vulnerable such workers are in major crises. After the crisis is over, policymakers will have to decide whether the gig economy and its ecosystem is something to be championed, or something to be managed via further regulations.

California’s recent regulation to address perceived imbalances in the gig economy (known as AB5) has set tongues wagging about the future of companies like Uber and Lyft. Given Europe’s reputation for being tough on tech giants, is a similar intervention on this side of the Atlantic now inevitable?

European countries and cities want to reduce their carbon emissions, with transport being one of the highest priority areas. Ride hailing, e-scooters, and car sharing firms all think that they have a part to play, but they are often unpopular amongst urban policymakers. Why is this, and how can policymakers make better use of these innovations in order to meet their climate change targets?

The UK’s fast approaching elections will have major ramifications for businesses, citizens and Britain’s relationship with the rest of the world. Our one-page guide summarises where each of the major parties stands on the most important policy issues for the tech sector.

As Mobility-as-a-Service increasingly grabs the attention of policymakers and businesses alike, Inline’s new report looks at the MaaS policy challenges across Europe, and what regulators are doing to address those questions.

This week's top three: Uber gets two more months in London; Paris e-scooter backlash continues apace; Labour promises "people's Zipcar".

This week's top three: Estonia becomes the latest European country to legislate for e-scooters, Spanish taxi union goes after ride hailing employment model in the courts, and Berlin police publish e-scooter accident stats.

This week's top three: On demand transport benefits from massive Paris strike; Porto seeks to learn lessons from Lisbon's "jungle" e-scooters regulations; and Munich taxi drivers call for ride hailing clampdown

This week's top three: Ireland considers age limits and maximum speed for e-scooters; Under 18s and non-drivers to be banned from using e-scooters in Malta; and German Environment Agency says scooters can replace cars in suburbs.

This week's top three: Milan paves way for introduction of e-scooters; new figures show ride hailing on the rise in Spain; and Romania to update road regulations to include e-scooters.

This week's top three: New European mobility regulations proposed; UK Government vehicles should be used for car sharing, says report; and Barcelona to issue tender for e-bikes and scooters "soon"

This week's top three: Berlin authorities press e-scooter operators with voluntary agreements; City of Madrid looks to significantly deregulate taxis; and Brussels Regional transport authority calls on cities to designate no e-scooter zones.

Over the last two years ride hailing policy in Spain has been mired in conflict between the industry, taxi drivers, national government, local governments and competition authorities. Rules have been changed, challenged, revised and devolved, leaving a fragmented system that does not work well for any of the stakeholders.

This week's top three: Spanish competition watchdog sues Barcelona over its ride hailing regulations; German cities call for more control over e-scooters; and taxi drivers urge Prime Minister to introduce ride hailing cap in London

This week's top three: Paris e-scooter ordinance comes into force; German taxi drivers sue Uber; and Milan adopts new rules for e-scooters following national legalisation.