Results of the joint e-scooter study with more than 8,000 participants

The study, which began analogue in June 2023 with interviews of 373 people and continued digitally in July and August 2023 with 8,245 participants, offers insights into public opinion and the challenges of dealing with sharing e-scooters in Berlin. The surveys were conducted by the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) in cooperation with the Berlin Tourism Citizens' Advisory Council.

Prof. Dr Nicole Häusler from HNEE, who led the scientific study, emphasises the importance of this collaboration: "The surveys and the resulting recommendations offer students a practical application of their scientific work. The support provided by universities to civic organisations such as the Berlin Tourism Citizens' Advisory Council is of crucial importance for their valuable work."

The results of the study clearly show that over 80% of respondents from both surveys would like to see a change in the way e-scooters are handled. Uncontrolled parking on footpaths and cycle paths and the danger posed to other road users by e-scooter riders were identified as the biggest annoyances. The respondents primarily called for the installation or expansion of fixed parking areas.

There is a clear difference between the surveys in terms of attitudes towards the widespread abolition of e-scooters in Berlin: while only 19% were in favour in the analogue survey, 58% agreed with abolition in the digital survey. This difference can be partly attributed to a certain age group, as many people who hardly or not at all use the sharing service and tend to take a critical view of e-scooters took part in the digital survey. 40% of respondents stated that they had already used a sharing e-scooter. Of these, 74% use them occasionally to very frequently (at least once or twice a month to weekly). They are predominantly used for medium distances of 1 to 3 km as an alternative to walking or as a feeder to local public transport, but not as a replacement for their own car. It is particularly striking that around 80 % of the 18-20 age group use e-scooters.

More than 7,000 participants took the opportunity to submit their own suggestions for improvement. "The high number of suggestions underlines the importance of this topic for the Berlin population," emphasises Prof. Dr Nicole Häusler. "It is particularly noteworthy that many of the suggestions have already been implemented or are being planned, which points to an information gap on this topic," adds Dr Häusler.

"The inclusion of this topic in the double budget is crucial. In particular, the adequate funding of parking spaces is of great importance. There also needs to be a detailed examination of where these parking facilities can be sensibly placed and where they are not absolutely necessary. The debate surrounding this topic is highly emotionalised and reveals considerable differences in knowledge among the population regarding the rules and the current status of e-scooter use. An information campaign, coordinated between all e-scooter providers, the Senate Administration and the Citizens' Advisory Council, is urgently recommended. This information campaign should aim to promote responsible use on the one hand and to introduce factual information into the discussion on the other." explains Eric Hattke, spokesperson for the Berlin Tourism Citizens' Advisory Council.

The Citizens' Advisory Council has been invited to an exchange meeting with the Senate Department for Urban Mobility, Transport, Climate Action and the Environment and the e-scooter providers on 1 December 2023, where it will present the survey results and promote the idea of an information campaign.

Citizens will have the opportunity to get involved in the topic at the second Citizens' Forum next Thursday, 23 November 2023. The results and recommendations of the study will be presented and discussed with citizens at the "What future do e-scooters have?" dialogue station.

Citizens' forum: But where to? - Opportunities for city-friendly tourism

Date: Thursday, 23 November 2023

Time: Admission from 17:30, start at 18:00 until 21:00

Location: Alte Münze, Molkenmarkt 2, 10179 Berlin (Loft)

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