Search

The congestion, air pollution, noise and injuries caused by excessive traffic are just some of the transport-related issues that cities throughout the world are working to address. Urban transport planners consider electric scooters (e-scooters) to be a viable alternative to other forms of motorised individual transportation, most notably automobiles. While e-mobility alternatives can reduce negative environmental impact, some studies have shown that this depends on the new mode of transport that users adopt. Although sustainable transport options clearly have advantages, most European countries still struggle to integrate e-scooters into the transport ecosystem. Our exploratory research, based on the scientific literature, examines whether a significant correlation exists between place of residence and the use of e-scooters, and if so, how significant it is. For this purpose, we conducted a survey that was completed by 292 people living in Hungary. The data are analysed using cross-tabulation analysis, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and K-means cluster analysis to determine whether a correlation is evident between e-scooter usage and respondents' place of residence. We also examined whether the availability of alternative micro-mobility facilities in a neighbourhood influences the use of escooters. Based on previous studies and our novel research, the results reveal that neither the place of residence nor the availability of other means of micro-mobility significantly influences users' decision to use e-scooters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on the prevalence of electric scooter (e-scooter) use, the modes of travel replaced, and attitudes towards the regulation of scooter use. Alternative means of transport (e.g. electric bicycles, e-scooters or segways) offer urban transport users a more comfortable and faster ride, while reducing congestion, air pollution and noise. However, urban space is not yet suitable to accommodate these vehicles, which often use infrastructure built for pedestrians and are not clearly regulated. The authors therefore sought to answer the following questions: whether place of residence influences the perceptions of Hungarian scooterists about the current regulation, and what suggestions they would make to help the integration of the new technology. They also asked how place of residence influences the frequency of use of electric scooters and what type of transport mode users substitute with electric scooters. Indeed, an e-scooter can only be considered a sustainable alternative if it replaces a vehicle with higher emissions than a scooter. The authors sought to answer these questions by surveying 292 Hungarian scooter users online between March and April 2023 and analysing the responses using descriptive statistical methods. The study finds that the frequency and purpose of scooter use is not influenced by place of residence, and that respondents, regardless of their place of residence, believe that the current regulation is inadequate, while the importance of factors that promote inclusion varies across groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]