Is shared micromobility part of public transport’s future? Identifying the purpose, motivations, and substitution effect of shared e-bike and shared e-scooter use

The project aimed to answer whether shared e-bikes and shared e-scooters have roles to play in the future of public transport. To meet this objective, we looked at the motivations for the use of shared micromobility and how people use these shared transport modes, i.e., trip purpose and whether they substitute car trips, public transport options, or other ways of traveling. The results showed that different motivations come into play in the decision to use shared e-bikes and e-scooters. Specifically, shared e-scooters are used more for hedonic motivations or reasons relating to experiencing positive emotions. In contrast, shared e-bikes are used for symbolic motivations or to convey the social status of users. This finding helps explain the differences in why and how consumers use these innovations beyond functional differences.

The majority of the users of shared e-bikes take the microvehicle for utilitarian trips or trips to and from work/school or to the nearest public transport stop. On the other hand, most shared e-scooter users take the transport mode for leisure trips, such as those only for fun and to restaurants and pubs. Walking and public transport remain the alternative modes for users of shared e-bikes and e-scooters. From this point of view, it would be difficult to justify the greenness of shared micromobility since they do not point towards the replacement of car trips. On the other hand, the results suggest that it could complement public transport options and serve the first-and-last mile trips. Overall, this project can contribute to the planning of the integration of shared micromobility in the public transport system.