Equity Implications of Shared Micro-Mobility in the Suburbs: A Spatial Analysis of Shared E-Scooter Use in Different Built and Social Environments

Electric-powered standing kick scooters, otherwise known as e-scooters, have recently been introduced in hundreds of cities around the world as part of rent-to-use shared micro-mobility systems. Despite being a potentially sustainable and equitable travel mode, relatively little analysis has been done on the impact of shared micro-mobility on transportation equity, specifically in the suburban context. The shared e-scooter pilot program in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, presents an opportunity to examine this topic within the context of a Canadian suburban community. Our study explores the use of shared e-scooters (trips per sq km per day) in Brampton, in relationship to suburban built environment types and social and economic marginalization at the neighborhood level. First, a Getis-Ord G i * (local “hot spot”) analysis identified localized hot-spots of shared e-scooter demand and implied that, at least in some contexts, higher trip rates are concentrated in marginalized neighborhoods. Next, spatial regression analysis (spatial lag model) demonstrated associations between dimensions of marginalization and e-scooter use rate, where higher rates of shared e-scooter use were observed in neighborhoods that have higher household instability, and higher concentrations of racialized and immigrant populations. The findings also suggest that the benefits of shared e-scooters may not be different in neighborhoods with high concentration of economically marginalized population, or low labor force participation. In addition, no relationship was observed between built environment types and e-scooter use. Findings will inform future micro-mobility policy in North American suburban areas, while contributing to the growing body of work on e-scooter use and equity.