E-scooters and bicycles: A behavior comparison based on analysis of microscopic trajectory data

• Traffic observation took place at three locations in Berlin for a period of three days. • The riding behavior of e-scooters and bicycles was compared based on analysis of microscopic trajectory data. • E-scooter riders used pedestrian paths and pedestrian crossings more often than cyclists. • E-scooter riders moved more frequently in the wrong direction in comparison to cyclists. • E-scooter riders may hazard oncoming pedestrians on pedestrian crossings. Recently, safety issues related to e-scooters have attracted attention. The behavior of e-scooter riders − such as using pedestrian infrastructures and wrong-way riding as well as their interactions with pedestrians, have raised concerns among people. The safety of e-scooters can be evaluated by comparing them to bicycles. Hence, the aim of the presented study is to reveal the differences between e-scooters and bicycles in terms of infrastructure usage, wrong-way behavior, and interactions with other road users. To compare the microscopic trajectories of e-scooters and bicycles, traffic was observed for three days at three locations in Berlin. Using image recognition technology, road users were identified, and their positions, as well as kinematic data such as speed and acceleration, were extracted. At all three locations, e-scooter riders (straight road: 16.3%, intersection: 50.7%, shared space: 67.7%) used pedestrian infrastructures (pedestrian paths and pedestrian crossings) more frequently than cyclists (straight road: 9.5%, intersection: 20.5%, shared space: 46.3%). Additionally, e-scooter riders (18.9%) rode more frequently in the wrong direction in comparison to cyclists (14.4%). With regard to the comparison of interactions with pedestrians, in head-on interactions on pedestrian crossings, e-scooter riders showed riskier behavior (higher speed and lower TTC) than cyclists. In crossing interactions, there was little difference between e-scooter riders and cyclists. The study discusses the impact of user characteristics on the illegal use of pedestrian infrastructure, wrong-way riding, and risky head-on interactions with pedestrians. In terms of practical applications, the effective guidance for users was suggested. In this study, riding behavior of e-scooters and bicycles was compared based on the analysis of microscopic trajectory data. E-scooter riders exceeded cyclists in the illegal use of pedestrian infrastructure, wrong-way riding, and risky head-on interaction with pedestrians, suggesting a higher potential risk. The results of the study aim to inspire future research and safety policies.