Eco? No, Ego-scooters: Steering towards time-saving trails in urban mobility

As cities worldwide face escalating urban congestion and environmental challenges, electric scooters (e-scooters) emerge as a sustainable micromobility solution. This study investigates e-scooter adoption in Türkiye, an emerging economy, to delineate how motivations in such contexts diverge from those in advanced economies. Through a survey of 204 e-scooter users, we dissect the motivations driving both the adoption and continued use of e-scooters, focusing on the interplay between environmental consciousness and practical benefits. Unlike assumptions that might be drawn from advanced economies, our findings indicate that environmental motivations, though significant in global sustainable mobility discourse, do not serve as primary incentives for e-scooter adoption in Türkiye. The research reveals a pronounced preference for immediate, tangible benefits over environmental considerations, suggesting a distinct set of priorities in emerging economies. This insight challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to promoting micromobility and underscores the need for urban mobility policies and strategies to resonate with the specific preferences and daily realities of users in different economic contexts. By highlighting the crucial role of practical advantages in fostering micromobility adoption and sustained use in emerging economies, the study advocates for a tailored approach to advancing sustainable urban mobility.