The impact of the emergence of rentable electric scooters in urban transport
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15170/MM.2024.58.02.02Keywords:
electric scooter, technology acceptance, focus groupAbstract
THE AIM OF THE PAPER
Cities are facing increasing problems of constant noise pollution, rising air pollution, decreasing public spaces and traffic congestion. To address these problems, a new type of vehicle for urban transport, the rentable electric scooter, was introduced in 2017, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to solve the so-called "last mile" problem for users. However, in recent years it has become clear that if not properly regulated, its use can pose a risk to users and urban transport in general. Therefore, the aim of our study is to understand the attitudes of transport stakeholders towards rentable electric scooters and to highlight how regulation could help the integration of this new type of vehicle into the urban transport system.
METHODOLOGY
The vehicle we studied is still new in transport and therefore we conducted focus group interviews as part of our primary research. This method was specifically designed to provide an opportunity for discussion with urban transport stakeholders. Three dates were announced via Facebook in 2022 and four in 2023. In total, 31 people (a mix of users and non-users of rentable electric scooters) were interviewed in person and online in mini groups of 5-8 people.
MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS
The results of the seven focus group interviews show that the integration of rentable electric scooters into urban transport would be most helped by categorisation, education, the development of appropriate infrastructure and the minimisation of negative social impacts, according to the interviewees. They also consider it important that the rules are developed with the involvement of stakeholders and experts and that there is a pilot and test period before finalisation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Taking into account what was discussed during the focus group interviews, the relevant literature and good practices in neighbouring countries, it is proposed that the development of the regulation should be done with the involvement of the different transport stakeholders, allowing for discussions on policy measures and their effectiveness and feasibility. Based on the results, it is also proposed that the categorisation of e-scooters and the regulation of their use should be carried out in Hungary, following the example of Western Europe.
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