The Times Australia
Fisher and Paykel Appliances
The Times World News

.

Five years on, Brisbane's e-scooters and e-bikes are winning over tourists and residents as they open up the city

  • Written by Richard Buning, Senior Lecturer in Tourism, School of Business, The University of Queensland
Five years on, Brisbane's e-scooters and e-bikes are winning over tourists and residents as they open up the city

Five years after being the first Australian city[1] to introduce rideshare e-scooters, Brisbane is leading the way after many growing pains[2] and a lot of learning[3].

Our latest research[4] explored tourists’ and residents’ perceptions and experiences of the city. We surveyed both users and non-users of e-scooters and e-bikes in a first-of-its-kind study[5]. We received nearly 1,000 responses, with 29 follow-up interviews.

Cities around the world are making micromobility, such as e-scooters and e-bikes, part of their transport plans. They hope to reap the widely proven benefits[6] of encouraging active transport such as walking and cycling, reducing car trips and traffic congestion, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, improving access throughout cities and promoting residents’ overall wellbeing.

Still, micromobility is very much up for public debate. With more and more tourists[7] using rideshare bikes and scooters and some cities banning them[8], important questions have been overlooked. How do these devices shape visitor experiences and a city’s image? How do residents view their use? And, what do non-users think?

Well, we found out. In Brisbane, these new forms of transport are being seen in an increasingly positive light as alternatives to private cars, public transport and ridershare services. Comparable to when cars replaced horses[9], micromobility options offer a convenient and improved transport experience that showcases the best parts of the city.

Read more: Limes not lemons: lessons from Australia’s first e-scooter sharing trial[10]

Micromobility services are good for a city’s image

When tourists arrive in a new city, they face a common challenge: where to go, what to see and, more importantly, how to get there?

Public transport is considered too stressful, confusing and at times unpleasant. Rideshare cars and taxis are easy and familiar, but they don’t provide an experience and miss out on the nooks and crannies of a destination.

A clear majority of the visitors in our study (83% users, 42% non-users) agreed e-scooters and e-bikes enhanced their tourism experience and their view of the city. This was because these forms of transport greatly increased the places they were able to see and experience. As a result, they regarded Brisbane as an active, modern city.

For many, riding e-escooters was itself one of the best aspects of visiting the city. One tourist told us:

Having an opportunity to use e-scooters while we visit Brisbane allows us to take in the beautiful environment that we would normally miss in a taxi or Uber.

person rides an e-scooter through botanic gardens
An e-scooter or e-bike easily gets you to places you might miss if using a taxi or Uber. Shutterstock

Read more: E-scooters are becoming wildly popular – but we have to factor in the weather[11]

Another tourist said:

I really enjoyed using it [an e-scooter]. It was a highlight of our trip actually.

Common reasons for such positive views included: accessibility, convenience, sustainability, independence, novelty, spontaneity, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, being outside, sense of community and ease of use.

Similarly, non-user visitors largely view e-scooters as a benefit to the city. They see them as good for its image and/or are indifferent but see the appeal for others.

One tourist, a non-user of e-scooters, said:

I’d say right now, I don’t think it’s giving a bad image at all. On the contrary, I feel it gives an image of providing alternatives to cars.

Brisbane’s robust cycling infrastructure, referred to as “scooter highway” by study participants, was a factor in these positive views for all groups.

Another non-user tourist said:

I feel like most people are generally responsible about riding them, and not in the middle of the sidewalk. I would say they’re a good resource for sure.

e-scooters lined up at the edge of a city street
Brisbane’s rideshare operators appear to be overcoming concerns about their e-scooters and bikes blocking footpaths. Shutterstock

Read more: When 1 in 3 users are tourists, that changes the bike-share equation for cities[12]

How do tourist and resident riders’ views differ?

We asked both tourists and residents for their views. All groups largely viewed e-scooters and e-bikes as alternatives to public transport rather than a supplement. Only a minority used e-scooters in combination with public transport.

Visitors to Brisbane who were not familiar with the public transport system found micromobility options incredibly useful. They were able to explore more attractions more quickly using e-scooters and e-bikes, without the hassle of buying travel cards and working out public transport timetables.

For visitors, micromobility itself is a tourism experience comparable to traditional attractions such as shopping and landmarks. For residents, it’s a convenient, independent, reliable and efficient way to commute, run errands, or go out and meet friends for dinner.

Read more: Wallets on wheels: city visitors who use e-scooters more spend more[13]

What about non-users?

We found differences between users and non-users. Users have overwhelmingly positive views (74%) of the benefits for themselves and others. Non-users either see the benefits to others, or are sceptical and worried about safety.

However, most non-users (65%) still viewed shared e-scooters and e-bikes as a public resource. Only a minority (35%) saw them as a nuisance.

So, what’s stopping more people using them? Commonly cited barriers included:

  • safety concerns
  • not knowing how to ride
  • expensive
  • self-image – not seeing themselves as e-scooter/e-bike riders
  • lack of cycling-friendly infrastructure in some areas
  • post-COVID hygiene concerns

Read more: Thinking of swerving high fuel prices with an e-scooter or e-bike? 5 crucial questions answered[14]

Micromobility is gaining ground

The results of our study[15] are clear: micromobility is a win for urban transport and tourism. Visitors and residents who are able and willing to use e-scooters and e-bikes are rewarded with a better way to get around and experience all the city has to offer. Users have strongly positive views of these transport modes and the general city impact.

Efforts to improve safety and access, by lowering personal barriers, would likely improve perceptions of micromobility and of the city. Further innovations in e-scooter design, supported by education campaigns, complementary infrastructure and policy, are likely to lead to greater uptake and more positive views.

References

  1. ^ first Australian city (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ growing pains (theconversation.com)
  3. ^ lot of learning (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ latest research (business.uq.edu.au)
  5. ^ study (business.uq.edu.au)
  6. ^ widely proven benefits (www.sciencedirect.com)
  7. ^ more tourists (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ banning them (www.bbc.com)
  9. ^ cars replaced horses (www.theguardian.com)
  10. ^ Limes not lemons: lessons from Australia’s first e-scooter sharing trial (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ E-scooters are becoming wildly popular – but we have to factor in the weather (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ When 1 in 3 users are tourists, that changes the bike-share equation for cities (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ Wallets on wheels: city visitors who use e-scooters more spend more (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ Thinking of swerving high fuel prices with an e-scooter or e-bike? 5 crucial questions answered (theconversation.com)
  15. ^ results of our study (business.uq.edu.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/five-years-on-brisbanes-e-scooters-and-e-bikes-are-winning-over-tourists-and-residents-as-they-open-up-the-city-212464

Active Wear

Times Magazine

YepAI Joins Victoria's AI Trade Mission to Singapore for Big Data & AI World Asia 2025

YepAI, a Melbourne-based leader in enterprise artificial intelligence solutions, announced today...

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an onli...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beau...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data anal...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right c...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in t...

The Times Features

Is Laminate a Good Option For Kitchen Benchtops?

When it comes to renovating your kitchen, one of the most important choices you’ll make is your be...

Albanese Government failing to defend the rights of ex-service personnel

The Albanese Government is failing to defend the rights of ex-service personnel to seek a review of ...

Increase your holdings and hold your increases from a wisely diverse investment portfolio.

What comes to your mind when I ask about which investments are most important to you? I imagine we w...

Canberra Just Got a Glow Up: Inside Kingpin’s Dazzling New Attractions

Canberra’s entertainment scene just levelled up. Kingpin entertainment, Australia’s home of immers...

The Capsule CEO: Ashley Raso’s Reinvention from Property Developer to Fashion Founder

From property developer to creative founder, Raso positions Capsule WD as the wardrobe system resh...

Yellow Canary partners with global payroll audit leader Celery to bring pre-payroll review technology to Australia

Payroll compliance is becoming tougher for Australian employers. Underpayment cases continue to do...

Noticing These 5 Issues? Contact an Emergency Plumber Now

The invisible arteries running through homes, plumbing systems, streamline daily life discreetly...

The Perfect Champagne Day Pairing: Luke Nguyen’s Chargrilled Lemongrass Beef Skewers

Celebrate Champagne Day on October 24th with this delicious recipe and elegant pairing from Luke Ngu...

Bribing kids to eat vegetables might backfire. Here’s what to do instead

It’s a tactic many parents know well: “eat two bites of broccoli, and then you can have desser...