Shared e-scooters: A last-minute mode?

Abstract

In this paper we assess whether shared e-scooters are being used in hurried situations to avoid arriving late, making trips we define as last-minute trips. We identify trip characteristics for last-minute trips using data from shared e-scooters in Stockholm. Trip arrival time patterns, distances, durations, and speeds are analyzed in relation to desired arrival times. We observe a peak in the number of trips ending before the full hour and a smaller peak of trips ending before the half hour of weekday mornings. These trips have lower average trip durations and higher average speeds, indicating a larger share of last-minute trips. Arrival patterns shift when the assumed preferred arrival time changes, and when the risk associated with arriving late increases. Furthermore, there is an increased share of trips that started close to public transportation around the full hour, indicating that a portion of last-minute trips may also be last-mile trips. Our results show that while last-minute trips are infrequent per user, they do make up a relatively large share of weekday morning trips. These results highlight an important market segment for shared e-scooter services and may also explain why some research reports e-scooter usage replacing walking.