Micromobility Users' Behaviour and Perceived Risk during Meeting Manoeuvres

Area of Science:

• Urban planning
• Transportation engineering
• Human-computer interaction

Background:

• Micromobility, particularly e-scooters, has surged globally, altering urban mobility patterns.
• The increase in e-scooter usage correlates with a rise in urban crashes, necessitating research into user behavior and interactions.
• Understanding the dynamics between e-scooters and cyclists is crucial for improving urban road safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the meeting maneuver between micromobility users and cyclists on various two-way bicycle track types.
• To assess the impact of different bicycle track designs on clearance distances during encounters.
• To evaluate micromobility users' perceived safety and comfort levels in different riding environments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an instrumented e-scooter to record data during encounters on diverse bicycle tracks.
• Quantified clearance distances between e-scooters and bicycles under various track conditions.
• Administered an online questionnaire to gauge users' subjective experiences and perceived risks.

Main Results:

• Bicycle tracks with concrete or vegetated curbs resulted in smaller clearance distances (approximately 0.8 m) compared to tracks without edge elements (over 1 m).
• No statistically significant differences were observed in interaction dynamics between e-scooters and bicycles.
• Micromobility users reported feeling safer and more comfortable on protected bicycle tracks, away from motorized traffic.

Conclusions:

• Edge elements on bicycle tracks influence physical proximity during encounters but do not significantly alter interaction types between e-scooters and bicycles.
• Protected micromobility infrastructure, separated from motorized traffic, is perceived as safer and more comfortable by users.
• Findings support the development of infrastructure prioritizing micromobility safety and user experience.