Micromobility Users’ Behaviour and Perceived Risk during Meeting Manoeuvres

Abstract

Mobility patterns and lifestyles have changed in recent years in cities worldwide, thanks to the strong rise in modes of travel commonly referred to as micromobility. In this context, e-scooters have experienced a great rise globally which has led to an increase of crashes involving this type of micromobility vehicle in urban areas. Thus, there is a need to study e-scooter users’ behaviour and their interaction with cyclists. This research aimed at characterizing the meeting manoeuvre between micromobility users along diverse typologies of two-way bicycle track by using an instrumented e-scooter. As a result, bicycle tracks having concrete or vegetated curb presented lower clearance distance (≈0.8 m) than those without edge elements (>1 m), with no statistically significant differences found between the interaction with bicycles and e-scooters. Additionally, an online questionnaire was proposed to assess users’ perceived risk during the meeting manoeuvre, concluding that micromobility users feel safer and more comfortable riding on pavements away from parked or moving motorized traffic, and on protected bicycle tracks.

Environmentally friendly, but behaviorally complex? A systematic review of e-scooter riders’ psychosocial risk features

“…However, some studies suggest that e-scooter users could be performing more (and more frequently) risky behaviors than cyclists and motorcyclists [ 59 ]. Some studies suggest that this could be enhanced by the disparity of opinions, laws, and directions regarding the proper regulation of the circulation of e-scooters in urban locations [ 5 , 77 ].…”

“…Alongside a rapid transformation of transport dynamics, ‘micromobility’ stands out as a very attractive option for many people [ 3 ]. Indeed, recent studies, apart from denoting its unexpected growth, highlight its effects on travel patterns, users’ behavior and community health [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…In other words, driver training and licensing procedures are not commonly required for their acquisition and usage. In addition, many of these riders are young adults, which already places them as a ‘risk’ profile according to road safety figures [ 4 , 5 ].…”

“…Thirdly, it is worth highlighting that PMVs have several limitations in terms of passive safety, which often depends almost totally on the use of appropriate protective devices and wearables. However, the state of affairs in terms of legal knowledge and enforcement is of considerable concern [ 5 , 12 ]. Accordingly, it is known that head contusions and fractures are e-scooter riders’ most common injuries [ 13 ].…”

“…Indeed, some sources suggest that these feelings of anonymity and unpunishability might enhance the likelihood of several generic traffic violations, such as red-light running, riding on the pavement, speeding, zig-zagging, riding while intoxicated, getting too close to pedestrians and vehicles, and not wearing helmets [ 5 , 12 , 17 ].…”