Adoption of (shared) electronic scooters in Hong Kong : drivers, barriers and recommendations

Abstract

With the raising awareness of concepts like smart city, smart mobility and green mobility in Hong Kong, (shared) e-scooters gain a lot of attention as it may help achieve the above ideas. This dissertation explores the possibility of integrating escooters into the urban transport system of Hong Kong, discussing their benefits and challenges. Employing a comprehensive methodology, including desk research, case studies, and expert interviews within the e-scooters sector, the study offers subtle insights into the drivers and barriers to the adoption of e-scooters in Hong Kong. Also, recommendations for better adoption of e-scooters are also provided. The data collected from desk research, case studies, and interviews with e-scooter expert will be summarized in the discussion part, in which the enablers and barriers of adoption of e-sooters in Hong Kong will be discussed. For the sake of facilitating effective use of e-sooters in Hong Kong, recommendations are provided as well. There are some insightful findings in the study. For example, it is found that the first- and last-mile function of e-scooters can be beneficial to Hong Kong, but the safety concerns and infrastructure deficiency may hinder the adoption of e-sooters in Hong Kong. Recommendations including expanding bicycle lane networks are made as well. The study is related the planning and development in Hong Kong. The intention of the study is to provide the policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders with some opinion on the what regulation and infrastructure support can be offered to (shared) e-scooters, realizing their potential in enhancing the mobility of the city in an environmentally friendly way.