The Role of Shared E-Scooter Systems in Urban Sustainability and Resilience during the Covid-19 Mobility Restrictions

Gabriel Dias, Elisabete Arsenio and Paulo Ribeiro
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Gabriel Dias: Centre for Territory Environment and Construction, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Elisabete Arsenio: LNEC, Department of Transport, 1700-066 Lisbon, Portugal
Paulo Ribeiro: Centre for Territory Environment and Construction, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: Shared e-scooter systems were first introduced in 2017 and have since been spreading around the world as a sustainable mode of transport. The success of this mode is also due to new urban mobility strategies and plans, such as the European Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which relies on non-pollutant modes. To display the range of effects that can be achieved in urban mobility through the proper implementation of shared e-scooter systems, a systematic literature review and a case study were performed. It was found that this shared system can help cities with environmental issues, such as reducing air pollution, reducing inequality in access to transport, promoting money-saving, and improving mobility resilience. During the Covid-19 pandemic, shared e-scooters became a great asset in many cities worldwide, because they promote social distancing and help cities not to rely only on private cars to replace public transport rides, especially for short-distance trips. In the case study of Braga, it was found that the city still relies on shared e-scooter modes as a mobility option after the pandemic, also promoting special fares for people to start using the service.

Keywords: micromobility; shared e-scooters; sustainable urban mobility; covid-19; first-mile-last-mile; urban resilience (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (21)

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