Shared Mobility and the Politically Motivated Bans on E-Scooters: A Comprehensive Analysis

Introduction

Urban mobility has experienced significant changes in recent years due to the rise of shared mobility services, especially electric kick-scooters (e-scooters). These systems, which allow short-term rentals of lightweight, electrically powered scooters, have become central to many cities’ transportation networks. By providing a practical solution for short-distance travel, shared e-scooters have addressed urban challenges like traffic congestion, pollution, and the inefficiencies of car usage. However, in cities like Paris and Madrid, recent politically motivated bans on shared e-scooters have sparked debates about the future of this transportation method. This essay argues that these bans are misguided, given the extensive benefits of shared e-scooters and their potential to create more sustainable urban environments.

Environmental Impact

The environmental benefits of shared e-scooters are well documented. They represent an eco-friendly alternative to car travel, particularly for short trips. Research has shown that private vehicles contribute heavily to carbon emissions, while shared mobility services like e-scooters help reduce these emissions. By replacing short car trips—many of which could be made by other, more efficient forms of transport—e-scooters lower the overall carbon footprint of urban transportation (1 ).

Shared e-scooters also contribute to cleaner air in cities. In cities like Madrid, where pollution levels have long been a concern, e-scooters offer a zero-emissions alternative. Given that approximately 75% of trips made by car in urban areas are less than 10 kilometers long, shared e-scooters are an ideal substitute for such trips (2 ).

Several studies emphasize the potential of shared e-scooters to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly when compared to private vehicles. A study from University College London (UCL), based on data from a trial in Bristol, revealed that shared e-scooters reduced GHG emissions by 28%, especially when they replaced car trips. The environmental benefits can be further increased if operators extend the lifespan of e-scooters and optimize their operations to reduce collection and charging trips using fossil-fuel vehicles (3 ).

However, it’s important to acknowledge that these environmental benefits can be offset if scooters have a short lifespan or if operations involve high carbon-emitting practices, such as frequent collection and rebalancing trips using gasoline-powered vehicles. Studies show that in the worst-case scenario—where e-scooters last only six months—their environmental footprint could surpass that of private cars (4 ).

Moreover, the use of renewable energy to charge e-scooters and electric vehicles for operations can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of these services. Several companies, including Spin, have experimented with solar-powered docking stations, which could make e-scooter systems even more sustainable (5 ).

Efficiency and Accessibility

In terms of efficiency, shared e-scooters have been shown to improve urban mobility significantly. E-scooters are typically used for trips ranging from 0.5 km to 4 km, making them a perfect solution for short journeys that would otherwise require walking or car use. The convenience of e-scooters—being dockless and accessible via smartphone apps—makes them a popular choice for users who want to avoid the hassles of parking and traffic (6 ).

E-scooters also provide increased accessibility in areas where public transport options may be limited. For underserved communities or in cases where last-mile transportation is an issue, shared e-scooters offer a flexible and affordable alternative. Some cities have integrated e-scooter services with their public transport systems, further enhancing accessibility.

E-scooters excel in providing an efficient transportation solution for short trips. A pilot program in Portland found that 48% of visitors and 34% of local users opted for e-scooters instead of personal vehicles, ride-hailing services, or taxis. This indicates a significant modal shift, as shared e-scooters offer an alternative to cars for short urban trips. This shift is crucial for reducing urban congestion and reclaiming space dominated by cars, which are parked 97% of the time.

However, there is a need to ensure that e-scooters are not merely replacing low-emission trips such as walking or cycling. In some cities, data showed that 37% of e-scooter trips replaced walking, which diminishes their environmental benefits. To optimize their potential, e-scooters should be part of an integrated transport strategy that focuses on replacing car trips and complementing public transportation.

Safety

Safety is often cited as a concern with shared e-scooters. However, data from various cities suggest that shared scooters are relatively safe compared to other forms of transport, including bicycles and privately owned e-scooters. For instance, in Madrid, data from operators such as Dott show zero severe injuries over a two-year period, with only two minor incidents reported in 2024 (7 ). Moreover, shared e-scooter companies have implemented safety measures like speed limits, geofencing, and public awareness campaigns to minimize risks.

The issue of safety is frequently raised in debates surrounding shared e-scooters, but studies reveal that accident rates involving shared e-scooters are lower than those for bicycles or private scooters in regulated cities. For instance, in Portland, e-scooter-related accidents were less frequent than those involving bicycles, and in Madrid, Dott reported zero severe injuries over two years.

To address the safety concerns, cities could focus on improving infrastructure, such as dedicated lanes, and ensuring that users are educated about proper scooter use. Helmet distribution programs, which some cities have already implemented, could also help reduce the risks of injury.

Political Motivation Behind Bans

The recent bans on shared e-scooters in cities like Paris and Madrid have raised questions about the true motivations behind such decisions. In Paris, the ban was based on a referendum with less than 10% voter turnout, leading many to argue that the decision does not reflect the will of the broader population. The city’s authorities justified the ban by citing safety concerns and public nuisance complaints, despite evidence suggesting that e-scooter-related accidents are relatively rare and that much of the urban congestion is caused by private vehicles.

Madrid’s recent ban followed a similar narrative, with officials citing safety concerns as a primary reason. However, privately owned e-scooters, which are less regulated and often more dangerous than shared ones, continue to operate freely. This raises concerns that the bans are politically motivated, aimed at finding a convenient scapegoat for broader urban mobility issues rather than addressing the root causes of congestion and safety hazards.

The disproportionate focus on shared e-scooters ignores the larger problem of private car ownership. In many cities, private cars account for a significant amount of public space while remaining idle for 97% of the time. Banning shared e-scooters, which offer a more space-efficient alternative, appears counterproductive in the effort to create more livable cities.

The bans in cities like Paris and Madrid seem to be motivated more by political pressures than by data-driven concerns about safety or urban congestion. In Paris, less than 10% of the population participated in the referendum that led to the ban of shared e-scooters.Madrid’s decision was similarly influenced by political narratives that painted shared e-scooters as a scapegoat for broader urban mobility issues, despite the fact that privately owned scooters, which are less regulated, remain operational.

This suggests that the bans may be more about responding to immediate political pressures than addressing the root causes of urban congestion or ensuring safer streets. By focusing on better regulation, rather than banning, cities could unlock the full potential of shared e-scooters to reduce traffic and emissions while improving mobility options for residents.

The Role of E-Scooters in Sustainable Urban Planning

E-scooters have a significant role to play in sustainable urban planning. One of the key issues facing cities today is the inefficient use of public space. Private cars dominate the streets, taking up to 60% of public space while being parked most of the time. Shared e-scooters, on the other hand, require minimal space and can be easily parked in designated areas or docks.

Cities like Copenhagen, which have embraced micromobility solutions, demonstrate how shared e-scooters can coexist with other forms of transportation. The introduction of dedicated lanes for e-scooters and bicycles helps reduce conflicts with pedestrians and cars, making urban travel safer and more efficient. Moreover, shared e-scooters contribute to the broader goal of reducing car dependency, which is crucial for improving air quality and reducing urban sprawl.

Counterarguments and Addressing Concerns

Safety Concerns

One of the most common arguments against shared e-scooters is safety. Critics point to reports of accidents involving scooters as evidence that they are too dangerous for urban environments. However, studies suggest that these concerns may be overblown. In cities where e-scooters are well regulated and where infrastructure supports micromobility, accident rates are lower than those for bicycles. Moreover, shared e-scooter operators have taken steps to improve safety, such as implementing speed limits and requiring users to undergo safety training.

Environmental Criticisms

While e-scooters are promoted as an environmentally friendly option, critics argue that their production and maintenance have a larger environmental impact than initially thought. The materials used to manufacture e-scooters, particularly the batteries, have raised concerns about the true sustainability of these devices. However, when compared to the environmental cost of private car production and the space cars occupy in urban areas, shared e-scooters still represent a greener alternative. Additionally, many e-scooter companies are investing in longer-lasting batteries and more efficient recycling processes to reduce their environmental footprint.

Proposals for Policy and Infrastructure Improvements

Instead of outright bans, cities should consider policy and infrastructure improvements to better integrate shared e-scooters into their transportation networks. One key area for improvement is infrastructure. Dedicated lanes for micromobility devices, such as e-scooters and bicycles, can significantly reduce conflicts with pedestrians and cars, making travel safer for all road users. In addition, cities should create more designated parking areas for e-scooters to prevent them from being left haphazardly on sidewalks.

Policies aimed at promoting the integration of e-scooters with public transportation systems can also enhance the utility of shared mobility. Many cities are already working towards this goal by providing docking stations at public transport hubs. By making it easier to transition between different modes of transport, cities can encourage more people to use shared e-scooters for short-distance travel rather than relying on cars.

Technological advancements can further improve the user experience. E-scooter companies are already using GPS tracking and geofencing to ensure responsible riding. These technologies can be expanded to provide real-time data to city planners, helping them make informed decisions about how to manage urban mobility.

Instead of banning e-scooters, cities could adopt more effective policies to integrate them into the urban transport ecosystem. For instance, extending the lifespan of e-scooters, ensuring their proper deployment, and improving rebalancing logistics (using electric vehicles or incentivizing users to park in designated areas) could significantly reduce their environmental impact.

Additionally, cities should invest in infrastructure that supports micromobility, such as dedicated lanes and safe parking zones, to enhance safety and efficiency. Collaborating with e-scooter companies to implement sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy for charging and electric vehicles for maintenance operations, could further increase their environmental benefits.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the bans on shared e-scooters in cities like Paris and Madrid are politically motivated and fail to address the broader issues of urban congestion and environmental sustainability. Shared e-scooters provide numerous benefits, including reducing emissions, easing traffic congestion, and improving mobility access. Instead of imposing blanket bans, cities should focus on data-driven policies and infrastructure improvements that promote the safe and sustainable use of shared e-scooters. As cities strive to become more livable and sustainable, shared mobility will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of urban transportation.

Relevant articles

MDPI-Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute "The Role of Shared E-Scooter Systems in Urban Sustainability and Resilience during the Covid-19 Mobility Restrictions "

BCG-Boston Consulting Group "The Promise and Pitfalls of E-Scooter Sharing "

European Commision - EU Urban Mobility Observatory "Study Finds: Shared E-Scooters Offer Environmental Benefits "

University of Cambridge - Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) "Environmental footprint of shared e-scooters "

Popular Science "Shared e-scooters can be sustainable—but there’s a catch "

MDPI-Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute "Shared E-Scooters: A Review of Uses, Health and Environmental Impacts, and Policy Implications of a New Micro-Mobility Service "

SUMC-Shared-Use Mobility Center "Electric Scooter Sharing "

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) "Powered Scooter Share Mid-Pilot Evaluation "

Populus "The micro-mobility revolution: The introduction and adoption of electric scooters in the United States "

Institute of Physics Science "Are e-scooters polluters? The environmental impacts of shared dockless electric scooters "

NACTO-National Association of City Transportation Officials "NACTO Bike Share and Shared Micromobility Initiative "