Comparing bike and e-scooter sharing spatiotemporal patterns: implications of resolution choices

Abstract Understanding the similarities and disparities between users and usage patterns of bike and e-scooter sharing could enrich our understanding of the level of competition and complementarity between them. Literature review reveals that knowledge on the level of similarity is still scarce, especially across multiple temporal resolutions. The present study aimed to extend the existing literature on the usage patterns of bike and e-scooter sharing, specify the level of similarity and identify its variance in different time resolutions. To this end, the study exploited 12-month shared bike and e-scooter trip records from Munich, Germany. The analysis included descriptive and statistical comparisons of spatiotemporal trip patterns, as well as a comparison of spatiotemporal demand fluctuation clusters. Overall, the findings showed that usage patterns have multiple commonalities, such as an increased trip generation rate during warmer months and a pronounced evening peak. Yet, e-scooter trips are more concentrated around mobility hubs. More diverging trip generation characteristics were found. Specifically, the results of the spatiotemporal cluster analysis showed a higher variety in the trip generation profiles of shared e-scooters compared to bikes across the operation area. Overall, the study demonstrates the critical role of resolution choice in the obtained results and highlights that policymakers and transport planners should consider using multiple resolutions in their analysis of the trip generation of shared micromobility.