Exploring the Popularity of Electric Scooter Sharing Services: How Many People Are Riding?

In recent years, electric scooter sharing services have become an increasingly popular means of transportation in urban areas across the globe. These eco-friendly, convenient, and affordable vehicles have made it much easier for people to navigate crowded city streets. But what percent of the population is actually using these services?

According to a study by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), shared micro-mobility trips, which include electric scooters, bikes, and e-bikes, reached 136 million in the United States in 2019. While this number signifies impressive growth in the micro-mobility space, estimating the percentage of the population that uses electric scooter sharing services is not straightforward.

One reason is that electric scooter sharing services are predominantly available in urban areas, meaning that the target market is largely city dwellers. Considering that the urban population in the United States is approximately 83% of the total population, it suggests that a significant percentage of the city residents might be utilizing these services. However, this assumption may not necessarily be accurate, as shared scooter usage varies significantly between cities, with some cities having much higher adoption rates than others. Furthermore, electric scooter usage is generally seasonal, with more people riding during the warmer months.

Another factor to consider is that scooter sharing services may skew towards specific demographic groups, such as younger adults and professionals who are more likely to adopt new technology. According to a survey by Populus, nearly 40% of shared scooter users in the United States are between the ages of 25 and 34. This indicates that while electric scooters may be popular among certain segments of the population, other demographics are less likely to be users.

In conclusion, while it's difficult to pinpoint an exact percentage of the population that uses electric scooter sharing services, their rapid growth and widespread adoption in cities across the globe cannot be denied. As these services continue to gain traction and expand into new markets, it's likely that an increasing number of people will become scooter users, making electric scooter sharing an even more significant part of the transportation landscape in the near future.