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Shared Electric Scooter Users and Non-Users: Perceptions on Safety, Adoption and Risk

Author

Listed:
  • Shiva Pourfalatoun

    (Department of Systems Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Jubaer Ahmed

    (Department of Systems Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Erika E. Miller

    (Department of Systems Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

Abstract

Shared electric scooters (e-scooters) offer a potential strategy to mitigate environmental concerns and congestion. However, successfully addressing these issues with e-scooters requires adoption across a diverse array of consumers. Understanding the differences between users and non-users can improve shared e-scooter appeal, operation and safety. The objective of this paper is to compare shared e-scooter users and non-users in terms of their perceptions on safety, trip behaviors, other shared modes, risk propensity and willingness to adopt technology. A survey was conducted involving 210 (51.3%) users and 199 (48.7%) non-users of shared e-scooters. Binary logistic regression and chi-squared tests were performed. The results reveal that users demonstrated a higher risk propensity and were more likely to be early adopters of new technologies. Non-users tended to place higher importance on helmet use, while users have an overall increased feeling of safety associated with riding e-scooters in vehicle lanes, on sidewalks and being passed by e-scooters as a pedestrian. Overall, users also have a more positive perception of e-scooter sanitary levels than non-users, and a more positive perception on the sanitary levels and usability of e-scooters over e-bicycles. These findings can provide guidance to urban planners, municipal authorities and micromobility providers in developing infrastructure and policies to better support micromobility adoption.

Suggested Citation

  • Shiva Pourfalatoun & Jubaer Ahmed & Erika E. Miller, 2023. "Shared Electric Scooter Users and Non-Users: Perceptions on Safety, Adoption and Risk," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:9045-:d:1163174
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. D'Orso, Gabriele & Scerri, Karyn & Attard, Maria & Migliore, Marco, 2025. "Exploring factors influencing e-scooter use in Mediterranean cities," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).

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