Source: Zag Daily

Researchers from the University of Queensland, Australia, conducted a two-year observational study in Brisbane examining e-scooter rider behaviour, with results challenging common assumptions about recklessness and law-breaking.

The study analysed over 200 hours of traffic camera footage and involved more than 600,000 observations. This enabled the authors to create a picture of typical e-scooter use in a variety of scenarios. Topics covered include infrastructure, riding speed and helmet use.

The role of infrastructure

The research differentiated between three infrastructure types:

• A sidewalk alongside a general traffic lane
• A sidewalk alongside a bike lane
• A sidewalk alongside a separated cycle lane

In cases where riders had only the option of the sidewalk or riding in the general traffic lane, 70% rode on the sidewalk. Where the sidewalk is alongside a bike lane, 49% chose to still ride on the sidewalk. Where a separated cycle lane is in place, only 10% of e-scooter riders rode on the sidewalk.

The existence of separated cycling infrastructure also encouraged compliance with speed limits. 83% of those riding in bike lanes and separated cycle lanes did not exceed the 12 km/h speed limit, compared to 52% compliance when riding on footpaths. Of those riding on footpaths, only 15% exceeded 20 km/h.

Helmet use

It is worth noting that helmets are mandatory for both cyclists and scooter riders in Australia, which is not the case in many other countries. However, the study authors saw varying levels of helmet use, and corresponding behaviours.

An overall 87% of riders wore helmets, with 92% of those on public, shared e-scooters, and 83% on private scooters. The high helmet use is partly attributed to the introduction in 2022 of helmets locked to shared scooters by Bluetooth. It was observed that those wearing helmets tended to ride faster than those without helmets, and those with full-face helmets rode the fastest. In 25 km/h zones, those without a helmet were most likely to keep within the speed limit. Meanwhile, only 58% of riders in full-face helmets obeyed the speed limits. The study authors surmise that “risk compensation” is possibly in play, meaning that riders with more protection had an impression of greater safety, and therefore felt able to handle increased speeds.

Context of the study

Australia has a variety of state-by-state regulations regarding e-scooters. To put the findings into context for those unfamiliar with the specific laws applicable in Queensland, the road regulations are:

• Legal to ride on footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths, on-road bicycle lanes with a speed limit of less than 50 km/h & local 50 km/h roads with no dividing line
• 12 km/h speed limit on footpaths & 25 km/h on other allowed paths
• Helmets are mandatory
• No riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or while using a mobile phone
• No driver licence required