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Economic regulation and E-scooter networks in the USA

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  • Button, Kenneth
  • Frye, Hailey
  • Reaves, David

Abstract

This paper looks at the challenges in the economic regulation of stand-up electronic scooters, or “e-scooters”. The e-scooter represents one of several innovative modes that have emerged to cater for transportation needs in urban areas. They provide connectivity linking local origins and destinations, as well as interconnectivity linking urban locations to inter-urban networks. These vehicles are marketed as a micro form of public transportation designed to meet the needs of fit and able people wishing to make trips of two miles or less. They are touted as part of “micromobility” complementing existing transportation networks. This paper reviews the gray and limited academic economic literature looking at the viability and economics of e-scooters within the context of the regulatory environment in which they operate in US cities. It considers the ways regulatory structures are evolving as the authorities learn of the attributes and limitations of the mode. In doing this, the paper also makes comparisons with some of the other “novel” forms of local transportation that have emerged, including those offered by transportation network companies. The paper focuses on the pre-Covid-19 period.

Suggested Citation

  • Button, Kenneth & Frye, Hailey & Reaves, David, 2020. "Economic regulation and E-scooter networks in the USA," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:84:y:2020:i:c:s0739885920301712
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2020.100973
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ouassim Manout & Azise Oumar Diallo & Thibault Gloriot, 2023. "Implications of pricing and fleet size strategies on shared bikes and e-scooters: a case study from Lyon, France," Working Papers hal-04017908, HAL.
    2. Farrell, Niall, 2023. "Policy design for green hydrogen," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    3. Yunus Emre Ayözen, 2023. "Statistical Optimization of E-Scooter Micro-Mobility Utilization in Postal Service," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-25, January.
    4. Draženko Glavić & Marina Milenković & Aleksandar Trifunović & Igor Jokanović & Jelica Komarica, 2023. "Influence of Dockless Shared E-Scooters on Urban Mobility: WTP and Modal Shift," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, June.
    5. Andrzej Kubik, 2022. "The Energy Consumption of Electric Scooters Used in the Polish Shared Mobility Market," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-15, November.
    6. Aarhaug, Jørgen & Fearnley, Nils & Hartveit, Knut Johannes Liland & Johnsson, Espen, 2023. "Price and competition in emerging shared e-scooter markets," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    7. Alberica Domitilla Bozzi & Anne Aguilera, 2021. "Shared E-Scooters: A Review of Uses, Health and Environmental Impacts, and Policy Implications of a New Micro-Mobility Service," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.
    8. Hakan İnaç, 2023. "Micro-Mobility Sharing System Accident Case Analysis by Statistical Machine Learning Algorithms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-31, January.
    9. Sobrino, Natalia & Gonzalez, Juan Nicolas & Vassallo, Jose Manuel & Baeza, Maria de los Angeles, 2023. "Regulation of shared electric kick scooters in urban areas: Key drivers from expert stakeholders," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 1-18.
    10. Bretones, Alexandra & Marquet, Oriol, 2022. "Sociopsychological factors associated with the adoption and usage of electric micromobility. A literature review," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 230-249.
    11. Paul Hurlet & Ouassim Manout & Azise Oumar Diallo, 2024. "Policy implications of shared e-scooter parking regulation: an agent-based approach," Post-Print hal-04422427, HAL.
    12. Tyndall, Justin, 2022. "Complementarity of dockless mircomobility and rail transit," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    E-scooters; Sharing economy; Economic regulation; Technical externalities; Economic core; Gig-economy; Nudging; Disruptive innovations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L91 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Transportation: General
    • L98 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Government Policy
    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy

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