Assessing micro-mobility net benefits at individual level: Evidence for two European countries

Abstract

This study explores the net benefits of e-scooter usage, comparing two European countries. We surveyed 199 e-scooter users in Germany and 184 in Portugal. All in all, one can take away that pragmatic reasons, in terms of functionality and fulfillment of purpose, are the most important factors in the usage and satisfaction of e-scooters. Recreational reasons are, at most, a side effect. The number one explanation of e-scooter net benefits, conducting trips of short distances effectively and efficiently, is user satisfaction which is reinforced by use. Price also plays a rather important role, while thoughts regarding sustainability and safety do matter but subordinately. At large, the countries' subsamples align with the full-sample model's findings, with some differences among them; anyway, no significant one can be found. All in all, both countries share comparable individual-level behaviors regarding e-scooters.