Stereotypes and the public acceptability of shared micromobility
OPEN ACCESS
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2023-10
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
no
Citations
Altmetric
OPEN ACCESS
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
Understanding the public's views and acceptability of shared micromobility (SMM) is crucial for uncovering barriers to incorporating SMM into sustainable urban mobility. This research studies stereotypes of SMM and their impacts on SMM's public acceptability. We focus on shared e-scooters and shared bikes/e-bikes in England, the Netherlands, and Sweden. We conceptualise stereotypes of SMM, developing a scale for their measurement. Factor analysis reveals that stereotypes of SMM are structured around two cognitive dimensions, namely, warmth and competence, which aligns with the stereotype content model. Warmth captures individuals' stereotyped SMM user images regarding how the users interact with other road users; competence reflects individuals' stereotyped SMM's capabilities to improve existing transport systems. Overall, stereotypes of SMM, characterised by low levels of warmth and high levels of competence, are ambivalent. Yet, they are also variable. Analysis of covariance unveils variations in SMM stereotypes across countries, sociodemographics, and travel patterns. Swedish residents, older adults, individuals from households without children, SMM users, and car-oriented individuals hold lower levels of warmth (for both types of SMM) and competence (for shared e-scooters) than their counterparts. Finally, the public acceptability of shared e-scooters is neutral, whilst that of shared bikes/e-bikes is mildly positive. Multivariate analyses show that stereotypes' warmth and competence are positively associated with individuals' acceptability of SMM, cumulatively accounting for over 50% of the variation in acceptability. Our findings help inform policies and planning on SMM. The developed scale holds the potential for evaluating stereotypes of SMM in particular and emerging transport services in general.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
33
Pages / Article No.
100643
Publisher
Elsevier
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Shared micromobility; Acceptability; Stereotype; Stereotype content model; Shared e-scooter; Shared bike
Organisational unit
09827 - Heinen, Eva / Heinen, Eva
02655 - Netzwerk Stadt u. Landschaft ARCH u BAUG / Network City and Landscape ARCH and BAUG