E-Scooters Slash Emissions and Reduce Congestion
Source: https://www.treehugger.com/escooters-study-cut-emissions-car-travel-6830154
Author: Lloyd Alter
Shared e-scooters are controversial, as they are reviled by many who complain they are littering sidewalks or mowing down pedestrians. Plus, some studies claim they replace walking trips, not driving trips. But new studies indicate e-scooters actually reduce car travel trips and emissions. "The largest shift effects are from walking, public transit, ride-hailing, and private vehicles to shared micromobility. In all six cities studied, shared micromobility shows emission reduction compared to the modes replaced. This effect is more positive for shared e-scooters than shared e-bikes, due to differences in their relative embedded carbon and life spans.Our results also point to the importance of cities implementing solutions like protected bike lanes or travel cost and time increases for individual motorized transport." So there appears to be a consensus among those who don't have visceral hate of e-scooters: They can take cars off the road, which may reduce travel time for those who are driving, and they reduce congestion and emissions.