A latent class approach to classify e-scooter non-users in Helsinki, Finland

Abstract

The rapid expansion of electric scooters (e-scooters) worldwide began in 2017 and has expanded to over 200 cities. Despite the global adoption, the majority of urban residents are still not using e-scooters and are also those who often bear the negative consequences of e-scooter deployment. This study investigates the attitudes and characteristics of the e-scooter non-users in Helsinki, Finland using latent class clustering analysis. Our finding reveals 5 classes of e-scooter non-users with very negative perspectives to positive perspectives towards e-scooters. Non-users mostly do not feel the necessity of using an e-scooter as well as lack of competency and having safety concerns. Classes with negative perceptions mostly have safety concerns while classes with positive perceptions and low income tend to avoid e-scooters due to high price of renting an escooter. The findings of this study could help e-scooter operators to design a safe and personalized e-scooter usage package for low-income interested groups. On the other hand, policy-makers could try to govern this emerging technology in a better way that satisfies all the e-scooter user or non-user groups while considering their safety concerns regarding e-scooters.