Dockless E-scooter usage patterns and urban built Environments: A comparison study of Austin, TX, and Minneapolis, MN

Recent years have witnessed a rise in dockless shared electric scooters (e-scooters) in American cities, offering a solution for short-distance car trips. However, research on e-scooter usage patterns and their urban connection is lacking. This study addressed this gap by analyzing e-scooter ridership in Austin and Minneapolis. Results revealed concentrated usage in downtown areas and university campuses in both cities. While Austin peaks in afternoons and weekends, Minneapolis sees higher evening ridership consistently throughout the week. Proximity to city centers, transit access, and land-use diversity positively influence e-scooter ridership in both cities, with unique positive associations with commercial areas and parks observed in Austin. This study contributes empirical evidence on e-scooter trips in U.S. cities, emphasizing the importance of local context through a comparative analysis.