Shared e-scooter parking regulation: Effects on rider attitudes, perceptions, and use

As shared e-scooter systems have been introduced globally, many cities encounter issues with clutter caused by improperly parked vehicles. In response, cities have started implementing parking regulations. Based on a user survey, this study utilizes binary and ordinal logistic regression to analyze user attitudes towards regulated parking in designated zones, changes in ridership following policy implementation, and the key factors influencing these two aspects in Stockholm and Malmö, Sweden. Users in Stockholm and Malmö showed similarly mixed attitudes towards the parking regulations, despite Stockholm having many more designated parking zones. The majority of users in both cities reported using shared e-scooters less frequently after the introduction of the parking policy. The density of parking zones was the most consistent factor across all models, influencing user attitudes and decline in ridership in both Stockholm and Malmö. Other factors influencing attitudes and declines in ridership include the ability to park close to destinations, perceived longer walking distances, multimodal trips, and ease of finding parking. Notably, users in Stockholm who combined shared e-scooters with public transportation were more negative towards the parking policy, possibly due to insufficient parking facilities near transit stops. To increase user acceptance and encourage multi-modal use, planners should ensure availability not only near public transport but also near the trip’s final destination, emphasizing the need for high overall parking density.