Melbourne City Council recently decided to ban shared e‑scooters. The council cited concerns for the safety of e‑scooter riders, other road users and pedestrians. The city still permits private e‑scooters.
However, another major concern for many has been where riders park the scooters, often blocking the footpath. Our recent analytical study in Melbourne showed a large proportion of e‑scooter trips start and end on footpaths, which pedestrians also use.
Research on e‑scooter trip data in two US cities found a strong link between e‑scooter use and busier urban areas, particularly in commercial districts.
