| Abstract |
Highlights What are the main findings? The study identifies the lack of dedicated bike paths and poor conditions of existing paths as significant barriers to scooter-sharing adoption, especially in post-industrial regions like Silesia, where outdated transportation infrastructure adds to the challenge. Inadequate fleet maintenance, complex rental processes, and difficulties with app interfaces were found to contribute to user dissatisfaction and limit accessibility, particularly for users with varying levels of technological literacy or health concerns. What is the implication of the main finding? The lack of dedicated bike paths and poor path conditions highlight the need for smart city initiatives to prioritize infrastructure development that supports sustainable micromobility. This could include the integration of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and more adaptive urban planning to foster safer and more efficient scooter-sharing networks. The operational challenges with fleet maintenance, rental processes, and app interfaces imply that smart city strategies should focus on leveraging advanced technologies such as AI-driven fleet management, predictive maintenance, and user-friendly digital solutions to enhance service reliability, accessibility, and user satisfaction within urban mobility ecosystems.Highlights What are the main findings? The study identifies the lack of dedicated bike paths and poor conditions of existing paths as significant barriers to scooter-sharing adoption, especially in post-industrial regions like Silesia, where outdated transportation infrastructure adds to the challenge. Inadequate fleet maintenance, complex rental processes, and difficulties with app interfaces were found to contribute to user dissatisfaction and limit accessibility, particularly for users with varying levels of technological literacy or health concerns. What is the implication of the main finding? The lack of dedicated bike paths and poor path conditions highlight the need for smart city initiatives to prioritize infrastructure development that supports sustainable micromobility. This could include the integration of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and more adaptive urban planning to foster safer and more efficient scooter-sharing networks. The operational challenges with fleet maintenance, rental processes, and app interfaces imply that smart city strategies should focus on leveraging advanced technologies such as AI-driven fleet management, predictive maintenance, and user-friendly digital solutions to enhance service reliability, accessibility, and user satisfaction within urban mobility ecosystems.Abstract The rapid urbanization and pursuit of sustainability have elevated shared mobility as a cornerstone of smart cities. Among its modalities, scooter-sharing has gained popularity for its convenience and eco-friendliness, yet it faces significant adoption barriers. This study investigates the challenges to scooter-sharing systems within smart cities, focusing on the Silesian region of Poland as a case study. It aims to identify region-specific barriers and opportunities for scooter-sharing adoption in Central and Eastern Europe and to provide insights into its long-term development trends and potential challenges. Using comprehensive statistical methods, including factor analysis and regression models, this study identifies key barriers such as insufficient bike paths, poor path conditions, inadequate signage, fleet maintenance issues, and complex rental processes. External factors like adverse weather and heavy traffic, coupled with health and safety concerns, further hinder adoption, particularly among vulnerable populations. Additionally, the study explores future trends in scooter-sharing, emphasizing the role of advanced technologies, adaptive urban planning, and sustainable fleet management in ensuring long-term feasibility. Drawing on global case studies, it underscores the need for tailored infrastructural investments, advanced fleet management, and user-centric policies to align scooter-sharing systems with smart city goals of sustainability, accessibility, and improved mobility. These findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and service providers striving to integrate scooter-sharing into the evolving landscape of urban mobility. |
