Implications of pricing and fleet size strategies on shared bikes and e-scooters: a case study from Lyon, France

In many cities, shared micromobility services (SMMS) have become popular. These services contribute to the popularity of car-alternative mobility by promoting the use of micro-vehicles. Bike-sharing and e-scooter-sharing systems are examples of these services. Despite their potential, the share of SMMS is still marginal. To unlock their full potential, policymakers and service providers need to comprehend the wider implications of their strategies on the adoption, use, and profitability of these services. This paper investigates the implications on travel demand, use patterns, and business profit of two strategic decisions: the size of the fleet and the pricing of shared bikes and e-scooters. This research is based on an agent-based transport simulation framework and trip records of shared bike and e-scooter users from the city of Lyon, France. The results show that despite their actual marginal share, SMMS have a non-negligible growth potential in Lyon. This potential is unfulfilled due to sub-optimal pricing and fleet size strategies. In the paper, more optimal strategies are discussed from the point of view of service providers and customers. These findings can be generalized to other cities and shared micromobility services. They can also be of interest to policymakers and service providers in the design and operation of successful and efficient SMMS.