A Multi-Perspective Assessment of the Introduction of E-Scooter Sharing in Germany

Abstract

Electric scooter sharing (e-scooter sharing) is a new urban micro-mobility service that is expected to shape individual urban mobility. The introduction of e-scooter sharing systems poses challenging questions for cities and transportation planners regarding their effects on their transportation system. This study addresses the question concerning the strategies which are applied for the introduction of e-scooter sharing systems in different operation areas in Germany. An interview study with 21 stakeholders with different backgrounds (local transport authorities, public transport providers, e-scooter sharing operators, municipalities, associations, planning offices and consulting companies, and other mobility providers) was conducted to reflect upon the introduction of e-scooter sharing systems in Germany and stakeholders’ involvement in planning. The qualitative content analysis provides insights into the stakeholders’ assessment of the introduction process and thus contributes to a multi-perspective understanding on the topic. Derived hypotheses and recommendations further contribute to knowledge sharing and learning from experience. The paper concludes with a description of three introduction styles: protective, pro-active, and laissez-faire.

What Potential Do Light Electric Vehicles Have to Reduce Car Trips?

“…In order to discuss the question of how the acceptance and, consequently, the use of new mobility offers can be increased, we would like to take a closer look at these three aspects in the following section. Based on the literature, our own studies [3,9,28,29], and discussions with experts, we provide below an overview of promising fields for action.…”

A Micromobility Buffet: E-Scooters in the Context of Multimodal Spaces and Practices in Greater Manchester

“…2.1 E-scooters Gössling (2020) dates shared e-scooters systems to 2017 in Los Angeles and points to a rapid growth in provision globally since then, comparable to that of public bike sharing (Spinney, 2020), another element of shared micromobility (Shaheen et al, 2020). With the rise in popularity of e-scooters there has been a growing body of research into their use, potential application and impact on cities and on mobility systems and practices (Caspi, Smart and Noland, 2020;Krier et al, 2021), examining how e-scooters might fit within and contribute to broader transport systems (Gössling, 2020;Rose et al, 2020) and how they are being used in, for example, Paris (Christoforou et al, 2021), Chicago (Mehzabin Tuli, Mitra and Crews, 2021), Munich and other German cities (Hardt and Bogenberger, 2019;König et al, 2022), Brisbane (Haworth, Schramm and Twisk, 2021), and Greater Manchester (Sherriff, Blazejewski and Lomas, 2022). Here we provide an overview of literature on their environmental impact, health implications, and challenges involved in sharing space with other road users.…”

The Future Role of Shared E-Scooters in Urban Mobility: Preliminary Findings from Portugal

“…However, few attempts have been made to understand whether shared e-scooters are just a passing phenomenon or a long-lasting solution, and what they can represent to the future of cities and urban mobility. To the authors' knowledge, the few exceptions providing some insights into the future include [2,[21][22][23]. The question about the future of such systems becomes even more relevant due to the highly dynamic and competitive market (with several competitor companies, backed with large amounts of venture capital, emerging in a short period of time and engaging in frequent mergers and acquisitions), to the viability of the business model that has yet to be proven (in fact, there are numerous examples of cities in which shared e-scooters were launched and the operations were shut down only a few months later), and to the increasing regulation from city and/or transport authorities.…”

“…To the authors knowledge, no article has addressed the question of whether e-scooter sharing systems are likely to be a passing phenomenon or a permanent new mobility solution. Notable exceptions providing a few insights about the future role of such systems include [2,[21][22][23]. Ref.…”

“…Ref. [22] analyzes the (late) introduction of e-scooter sharing systems in German cities through semi-structured interviews with experts and distinguishes three introduction styles for cities-protective, proactive and laissez-faire/operator-driven. The experts' responses to a question about "what would an e-scooter sharing system ideally look like in a year" allow the authors to derive two key aspects for the future-multimodality and sustainability.…”