Young men are the main users of micro-mobility devices like dockless scooters and e-bikes. According to new research published last month in Transport Findings the biycles, scooters, segways, skateboards, and other foot- and battery-boosted vehicles represent a diverse assortment of contraptions and draw significantly more men than women in major U.S. cities.
The major drawback of these vehicles in their lack of safety and being more high on danger factor that keeps the women away from buying it. This is proved by the local ridership studies of dockless electric scooter use in Portland and Austin. The danger factor of micro-mobility appears to be the main barrier in terms of the vehicles themselves plus the infrastructure they rely on.
Kevin Krizek, a professor of transportation at the University of Colorado Boulder who co-authored the new research, says that younger males are more willing to give up safety considerations on account of speed or quickness and that is somewhat of a reflection of the e-scooter. He though would like that there is more safety on the streets to drive it.
Krizek adds that it may be the reluctance of women and other groups to enter scooter-dom that may be a barrier to the broad mode-shifts that little vehicles seem primed to deliver. Reports drawn from years of study concludes that women feel less comfortable in risky traffic situations and the bikes are inconvenient. Vehicle design can be an answer for overcoming the gap.
Meg Merritt, a principal transportation consultant at the planning firm Nelson\Nygaard, says that the root problem needs to addressed. She says- “If you have the right infrastructure, you can try all kinds of cool things, and you will probably make them work.” Research shows addition of protected bike lanes can add cyclists to the network bringing in more women specifically.