Perception Analysis of E-Scooter Riders and Non-Riders in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Survey Outputs

Mohammed Hamad Almannaa,Mahmoud Masoud,Mohammed Elhenawy,Huthaifa I Ashqar,Andry Rakotonirainy,Faisal Adnan Alsahhaf

doi:10.3390/su13020863

Mohammed Hamad Almannaa, Mahmoud Masoud + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020863

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Abstract

This study explores the feasibility of launching an e-scooter sharing system as a new micro-mobility mode, and part of the public transportation system in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Therefore, survey was conducted in April 2020 to shed light on the perception of e-scooter systems in Riyadh. A sample of 439 respondents was collected, where majority indicated willingness to use the e-scooter sharing system if available (males are twice as likely to agree than females). Roughly 75% of the respondents indicated that open entertainment areas and shopping malls are ideal places for e-scooter sharing systems. Results indicated that people who use ride-hailing services such as Uber, expressed more willingness to use e-scooters for various purposes. The study found that the major obstacle for deploying e-scooters in Saudi Arabia is the lack of sufficient infrastructure (70%), followed by weather (63%) and safety (49%). Moreover, the study found that approximately half of the respondents believed that COVID-19 will not affect their willingness to ride e-scooters. Two types of logistic regression models were built. The outcomes of the models show that gender, age, and using ride-hailing services play an important role in respondents’ willingness to use e-scooter. Results will enable policymakers and operating agencies to evaluate the feasibility of deploying e-scooters and better manage the operation of the system as an integral and reliable part of public transportation.

Highlights

As traffic congestion continues to increase dramatically, policymakers and researchers have been working relentlessly to provide the transportation sector with solutions that will mitigate traffic congestion issues
The twenty-nine questions were distributed in four sections as follows: Section one obtains the demographic information of respondents; Section two discusses the experience of previous e-scooter users; Section three discusses the willingness-to-use and the potential purpose for new e-scooter users; Section four includes six general questions with regard to safety and obstacles of e-scooter sharing systems, COVID-19 impact, and potential places for e-scooters in Saudi Arabia
In the statistical analysis approach, we studied the relationship between selected responses and socioeconomic and other information using two logistic regression models, namely: binary and ordinal logistic regression models

Summary

Introduction

As traffic congestion continues to increase dramatically, policymakers and researchers have been working relentlessly to provide the transportation sector with solutions that will mitigate traffic congestion issues. One solution that has emerged in recent years is the introduction of micro-mobility modes, such as two- or three-wheeled e-scooters and bike sharing systems. These new systems have gained attention due to their quick and effective impact in attracting more users in such a relatively short time. In 2017, e-scooter sharing systems have reached more than 85 cities worldwide with more than 1.8 million registered users [2]. In 2018, e-scooter systems have exceeded dockless and dock-based bike sharing systems in terms of number of total trips [3]. In the USA, for example, approximately 38.5 million trips were made using e-scooter sharing systems in 2018.

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