Scooters have helped diversify the mobility landscape, but companies need to better address the recycling and reuse process and the environmental impacts of defunct devices.
Katie Pyzyk writes about life-span and end-of-life issues related to dockless scooters and the steps companies such as Lyft, Bird, and Lime are taking to address these concerns.
The life span of e-scooters is fairly short—a Boston Consulting Group report estimates the average life span is just three months, due partly to the fact that the devices are heavily used and endure a great deal of wear and tear. Sustainability concerns aside, the short life span and replacement costs affect the profitability of companies.
"Nearly all the major operators have announced efforts recently to ruggedize their devices and extend the life span. This includes more robust tires, sturdier bodies, improved brakes and longer battery life," notes Pyzyk.
The end-of-life processing of e-scooters—both recycling and reuse—is another issue, particularly the handling of hazardous electric batteries.
In addition to waste and disposal concerns, vandalism of e-scooters has posed sustainability challenges. For example, county sheriffs pulled 50 scooters from the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, in June. "Divers were concerned the batteries would leak into the river. It’s unclear who put the scooters there or when, but some of them showed signs of rust," says Pyzyk.
FULL STORY: Reduce, reuse, rescoot? A look at e-scooters' long-term sustainability
Seattle Sees Strong Bike Share, Scooter Ridership
The city’s shared bikes and e-scooters provided half as many trips as a $2 billion tunnel.
The State of E-Scooters in the US
Eight years after shared e-scooters were first introduced in US cities, the industry still teeters on the edge of success, hindered in part by limited infrastructure.
The Year in Micromobility
The industry is seeing uneven support despite high ridership numbers.
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.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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