Urban e-scooters: The rising star of urban mobility

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 10, 2021

E-scooter sharing services, a sustainable transportation solution, have seen rapid adoption worldwide, with significant growth projected in the coming years. However, challenges such as the short lifespan of e-scooters and the need for dedicated lanes and infrastructure adjustments require careful consideration and innovative solutions. Despite these hurdles, the potential benefits of e-scooters, including reduced traffic congestion, job creation, and technological advancements, are prompting governments to integrate them into urban planning strategies.

Urban e-scooters context

The concept of e-scooter sharing services was introduced in 2017 by US-based startup Bird. This idea quickly gained traction as cities worldwide began to prioritize and promote sustainable living. According to Berg Insight, the e-scooter industry is projected to experience significant growth, with the number of shared units potentially reaching 4.6 million by 2024, a substantial increase from the 774,000 units recorded in 2019.

Other providers have entered the market, including Europe-based Voi and Tier, as well as Lime, another US-based company. These companies are actively seeking ways to enhance their models. The key areas of focus include improving maintenance procedures and ensuring carbon-neutral deployment. 

The global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to widespread lockdowns in many developed cities. As these cities gradually recovered and restrictions were lifted, governments started exploring the potential role of e-scooters in providing safe and socially distanced personal transportation. Proponents argue that if the necessary infrastructure is put in place, these devices could encourage a reduction in car usage. This development would not only alleviate traffic congestion but also contribute to a decrease in carbon emissions.

Disruptive impact

One of the most pressing issues is the relatively short lifespan of most e-scooter models. This trend leads to increased manufacturing, which ironically contributes to fossil fuel usage. To mitigate this, providers are focusing on developing sturdier and smarter models. For instance, they are introducing battery-swapping capabilities to decrease charging times and employing electric vehicles to collect and distribute units across different docks. In 2019, Ninebot, a China-based provider, unveiled a new model capable of self-driving to the nearest charging station, reducing the need for manual collection and redistribution.

Regulation is another area that requires careful consideration. Advocates argue that dedicated lanes for e-scooters are necessary to prevent them from obstructing pedestrian walkways and car lanes, and to reduce the risk of accidents. This is similar to the approach taken for bicycles, which often have their own designated lanes in many cities. However, implementing this for e-scooters will require careful planning and adjustments to existing infrastructure, which can be complex and time-consuming.

Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of e-scooters are prompting more governments to explore ways to integrate them into their urban planning strategies. While e-scooters are still considered illegal in many countries, the tide is slowly turning. Governments may collaborate with providers to distribute e-scooters more efficiently, ensuring that many people have access to these units. They may also collaborate with urban planners to create multi-modal infrastructures that allow pedestrians, bikes, and e-scooters to safely share roads.

Implications of urban e-scooters

Wider implications of urban e-scooter adoption may include:

• The creation of more e-scooter lanes alongside major roads, which would directly benefit cyclists as well.
• The development of increasingly smarter models that could self-drive and self-charge.
• Higher adoption among people with disabilities or those with limited mobility, as they would not need to “drive” or pedal.
• A decrease in private car ownership resulting in less traffic congestion and a more efficient use of urban space.
• New jobs in maintenance, charging, and redistribution of scooters.
• Governments investing more in sustainable transportation infrastructure, leading to the development of more bike and scooter lanes.
• Advancements in battery technology, GPS tracking, and autonomous driving.
• The proliferation of e-scooters leading to an increase in accidents and injuries, putting additional strain on healthcare services and  leading to stricter regulations and liability issues.
• The manufacturing and disposal of e-scooters leading to increased waste and resource depletion, unless effective recycling and disposal systems are put in place.

Questions to consider

• Would you consider owning an e-scooter? Why or why not?
• How do you think urban travel would look like if there were more bikes and e-scooters instead of cars?