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Integrating e-scooters in urban transportation : Problems, policies, and the prospect of system change

Gössling, Stefan LU (2020) In Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment 79.
Abstract

Throughout the world, cities seek to ease transport-related problems of congestion, air pollution, noise, and traffic injuries. Urban transport planners have welcomed e-scooters as an alternative to motorized individual transport, specifically the car. The public has met e-scooters with both enthusiasm and scepticism, as cities have struggled with unforeseen outcomes such as forms of irresponsible riding, cluttering, or vandalism. This paper investigates the challenges associated with the introduction of e-scooters in ten major cities, based on a content analysis of local media reports. News items (n = 173) were identified through Internet searches and include print media, TV and radio websites. Concerns prior to and after the... (More)

Throughout the world, cities seek to ease transport-related problems of congestion, air pollution, noise, and traffic injuries. Urban transport planners have welcomed e-scooters as an alternative to motorized individual transport, specifically the car. The public has met e-scooters with both enthusiasm and scepticism, as cities have struggled with unforeseen outcomes such as forms of irresponsible riding, cluttering, or vandalism. This paper investigates the challenges associated with the introduction of e-scooters in ten major cities, based on a content analysis of local media reports. News items (n = 173) were identified through Internet searches and include print media, TV and radio websites. Concerns prior to and after the introduction of e-scooters are assessed, analysed, and interpreted in the context of new policies for this transport mode. Results suggest that many cities have moved through trial and error stages in their search for appropriate legislation. The paper concludes that it is prudent for urban planners to introduce policies regarding maximum speeds, mandatory use of bicycle infrastructure, and dedicated parking, as well as to limit the number of licensed operators. Where negative public opinion can be averted, e-scooters stand a chance to become a disruptive niche innovation with the potential to transform urban transport systems.

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author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
E-scooters, Micromobility, Transport planning, Transport policy, Urban planning
in
Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
volume
79
article number
102230
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85078250521
ISSN
1361-9209
DOI
10.1016/j.trd.2020.102230
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
4d39f2b7-3f50-4d03-a924-4753d8aa4e93
date added to LUP
2020-02-05 08:39:18
date last changed
2022-12-23 20:19:11
@article{4d39f2b7-3f50-4d03-a924-4753d8aa4e93,
  abstract     = {{<p>Throughout the world, cities seek to ease transport-related problems of congestion, air pollution, noise, and traffic injuries. Urban transport planners have welcomed e-scooters as an alternative to motorized individual transport, specifically the car. The public has met e-scooters with both enthusiasm and scepticism, as cities have struggled with unforeseen outcomes such as forms of irresponsible riding, cluttering, or vandalism. This paper investigates the challenges associated with the introduction of e-scooters in ten major cities, based on a content analysis of local media reports. News items (n = 173) were identified through Internet searches and include print media, TV and radio websites. Concerns prior to and after the introduction of e-scooters are assessed, analysed, and interpreted in the context of new policies for this transport mode. Results suggest that many cities have moved through trial and error stages in their search for appropriate legislation. The paper concludes that it is prudent for urban planners to introduce policies regarding maximum speeds, mandatory use of bicycle infrastructure, and dedicated parking, as well as to limit the number of licensed operators. Where negative public opinion can be averted, e-scooters stand a chance to become a disruptive niche innovation with the potential to transform urban transport systems.</p>}},
  author       = {{Gössling, Stefan}},
  issn         = {{1361-9209}},
  keywords     = {{E-scooters; Micromobility; Transport planning; Transport policy; Urban planning}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment}},
  title        = {{Integrating e-scooters in urban transportation : Problems, policies, and the prospect of system change}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2020.102230}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.trd.2020.102230}},
  volume       = {{79}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}