Perceptions of safety and security among e-bike and e-scooter users in Iberian capital cities: Implications for urban mobility planning

• key motivators and deterrents to cycling and to scooting in Lisbon and Madrid; • perceived safety among shared and privately owned e-bikes and e-scooters users; • the spatial identification of critical urban areas for the usage of e-bikes and e-scooters; • comparison of perceived security among shared and privately owned e-bike and e-scooter users; This study investigates perceived safety and harassment among e-bike and e-scooter users in Lisbon and Madrid, comparing privately owned and shared systems. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines survey data with mental mapping, crash hotspot analysis, chi-square testing, Spearman correlation analysis, spatial risk modelling, and discourse interpretation to explore both objective and subjective dimensions of micromobility risk. A Spatial Risk Index (SRI) was developed to identify areas where crash density and user-perceived safety overlap. The findings revealed notable differences across user groups in terms of gender, age, length of residency, and vehicle ownership. Associations were also identified between crash incidence, urban topography, and the density of cycling infrastructure, while perceptions of safety were shaped by both physical conditions and the quality of public space. The results further underscore spatial mismatches between official crash records and areas perceived as dangerous by users, particularly in transitional or infrastructure-deficient areas. Distinct behavioural and perceptual patterns also emerged: users of shared systems tended to report lower engagement with safety equipment and higher levels of insecurity, while private users − although more frequent riders − faced greater exposure to harassment. Verbal harassment, especially among women and younger individuals, was commonly reported yet rarely disclosed to authorities, reflecting broader cultural and institutional barriers to reporting. The findings call for a more holistic and context-sensitive approach to micromobility planning − one that moves beyond individual behaviour or crash statistics alone. Urban policy should thus prioritise inclusive infrastructure design, consistent regulation, and the meaningful integration of user perspectives into safety and mobility strategies.