Cities should expect to see increases in automobile trips, and resulting consequences, if they ban or limit the use of electric scooters or other micromobility devices, according to new research.
According to research published via open access by the journal Nature Energy, banning the use of micromobility devices (i.e., electric scooters) at night leads to a large increase in automobile trips.
The research generated reports findings of a natural experiment in Atlanta, where the city set geofences on rented scooters to disable their operation at night—“guaranteeing near perfect compliance.”
“Evidence from a natural experiment in [Atlanta] shows increases in travel time of 9–11% for daily commuting and 37% for large events,” according to the study's authors.
As noted in the study's literature review, prior research into micromobility has revealed little about the effects of the mode's adoption on automobile traffic. Findings have focused instead on loss of public transit trips as a result of shared micromobility. Notably, scooters have the opposite effect on mode share when compared to ride-hailing companies, which displace riders from public transit and active modes like biking and walking.
FULL STORY: Impacts of micromobility on car displacement with evidence from a natural experiment and geofencing policy
The Cost of Driving Increasingly Out of Reach in the U.S.
New research stresses the importance of socioeconomic differences in U.S. transportation trends.
The Right to Mobility
As we consider how to decarbonize transportation, preserving mobility, especially for lower- and middle-income people, must be a priority.
Lyft Pulls Micromobility From Los Angeles Area
The company will no longer provide shared bikes and scooters in the L.A. region, citing a ‘lack of longterm commitment’ from cities.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service