Assessing the Development of Dockless Shared Electric Mopeds in The Hague

Mobility worldwide is being transformed following the rapid emergence of dockless shared schemes of e-bicycles and e-scooters. Dockless modes give users freedom to park at any location within large geographical boundaries. They are advocated on the premise of sustainability and accessibility, although there is also a for-profit agenda behind operative decision-making processes. Often, these micro-vehicles are competing for space with pedestrians in already overcrowded cities. The Hague, Netherlands, is experiencing poorly parked e-scooters in its coastal area. The aim of this paper is to assess the state-of-art of dockless shared electric mopeds in The Hague. The topic is addressed with a mixed-methods design combining desk research with spatial analysis. Review of municipal and company policy documents indicate conflicting and abstract rules which lack determined spatial parameters. It was found that the dockless model is managed by the geofences drawn by operators, who are making...Show moreMobility worldwide is being transformed following the rapid emergence of dockless shared schemes of e-bicycles and e-scooters. Dockless modes give users freedom to park at any location within large geographical boundaries. They are advocated on the premise of sustainability and accessibility, although there is also a for-profit agenda behind operative decision-making processes. Often, these micro-vehicles are competing for space with pedestrians in already overcrowded cities. The Hague, Netherlands, is experiencing poorly parked e-scooters in its coastal area. The aim of this paper is to assess the state-of-art of dockless shared electric mopeds in The Hague. The topic is addressed with a mixed-methods design combining desk research with spatial analysis. Review of municipal and company policy documents indicate conflicting and abstract rules which lack determined spatial parameters. It was found that the dockless model is managed by the geofences drawn by operators, who are making arbitrary decisions over the service coverage areas. Furthermore, the spatial analysis of two dockless shared electric moped operators, Check and Felyx, indicates that sharply different approaches are taken in the mapping of geofences. Based on these results, technological and policy recommendations include that mutual agreements are needed among operators for advancing the geofencing system, and that the state should demand clear rules from providers regarding the parking of e-mopeds, as well as the functions of geographical boundaries drawn. This paper concludes that functionality of dockless micromobility varies among operators as they possess differing GPS systems, definition of geofence types, and stated rules.Show less

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Assessing the Development of Dockless Shared Electric Mopeds in The Hague