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Shared E-Scooters: A Review of Uses, Health and Environmental Impacts, and Policy Implications of a New Micro-Mobility Service

Author

Listed:
  • Alberica Domitilla Bozzi

    (Laboratoire Ville Mobilité Transport (LVMT), Université Gustave Eiffel and ENPC, 77454 Marne-la-Vallée, France)

  • Anne Aguilera

    (Laboratoire Ville Mobilité Transport (LVMT), Université Gustave Eiffel and ENPC, 77454 Marne-la-Vallée, France)

Abstract

Shared e-scooters refer to a micro-mobility service that enables the short rentals of e-scooters. The rapid growth of e-scooter sharing has sparked a heated discussion about its role in the urban mobility sector. This article presents a systematic review of the current knowledge on its uses and users, health and environmental impacts, and policy issues. The analysis is based on academic literature, identified with Google Scholar by using keywords and publication years from 2017, and relevant gray literature. Firstly, we highlight that the profiles of e-scooter renters seem to highly match the characteristics of other micro-mobility services users. Secondly, e-scooters are often associated with a high perception of risk from the public and an increasing occurrence of related road accidents. Thirdly, even if promoted as a green mobility option, the true environmental impact of shared e-scooters has only started to be investigated. Early studies point out negative impacts around their production, usage, and maintenance. Fourthly, the integration of shared e-scooters into the existing transport systems requires policy changes, both at the local and national level, including traffic regulations, safety rules, and physical infrastructure. Finally, this paper reveals the ambiguity of the term “e-scooter” and stresses the need for more research, as the future of cities is tied to the development of low-car lifestyles.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8676-:d:607844
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Abouelela, Mohamed & Durán-Rodas, David & Antoniou, Constantinos, 2024. "Do we all need shared E-scooters? An accessibility-centered spatial equity evaluation approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    3. Mohamed Krichi & Abdullah M. Noman & Mhamed Fannakh & Tarik Raffak & Zeyad A. Haidar, 2025. "Sustainable Electric Micromobility Through Integrated Power Electronic Systems and Control Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-40, April.
    4. Disi Tian & Andrew D. Ryan & Curtis M. Craig & Kelsey Sievert & Nichole L. Morris, 2022. "Characteristics and Risk Factors for Electric Scooter-Related Crashes and Injury Crashes among Scooter Riders: A Two-Phase Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-16, August.
    5. Zoi Christoforou & Christos Gioldasis & Yeltsin Valero & Grigoris Vasileiou-Voudouris, 2022. "Smart Traffic Data for the Analysis of Sustainable Travel Modes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-21, September.
    6. Zhang, Yuhan & Shao, Yichang & Bi, Hui & Aoyong, Li & Ye, Zhirui, 2023. "Bike-sharing systems rebalancing considering redistribution proportions: A user-based repositioning approach," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 610(C).
    7. Monika Hamerska & Monika Ziółko & Patryk Stawiarski, 2022. "A Sustainable Transport System—The MMQUAL Model of Shared Micromobility Service Quality Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    8. Kalina Grzesiuk & Dorota Jegorow & Monika Wawer & Anna Głowacz, 2023. "Energy-Efficient City Transportation Solutions in the Context of Energy-Conserving and Mobility Behaviours of Generation Z," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-28, August.
    9. Teusch, Julian & Saavedra, Bruno Neumann & Scherr, Yannick Oskar & Müller, Jörg P., 2025. "Strategic planning of geo-fenced micro-mobility facilities using reinforcement learning," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    10. Levent Çallı & Büşra Alma Çallı, 2024. "Value‐centric analysis of user adoption for sustainable urban micro‐mobility transportation through shared e‐scooter services," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(6), pages 6408-6433, December.
    11. Rémy Le Boennec & Frédéric Salladarré, 2023. "Investigating the use of privately-owned micromobility modes for commuting in four European countries," Post-Print hal-04296400, HAL.
    12. Yunus Emre Ayözen & Hakan İnaç & Abdulkadir Atalan & Cem Çağrı Dönmez, 2022. "E-Scooter Micro-Mobility Application for Postal Service: The Case of Turkey for Energy, Environment, and Economy Perspectives," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-22, October.

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