Shared mobility - Novel insights on mode substitution patterns, trip and user characteristics

With a growing number of shared mobility options, choosing not to own a car may become a new norm in the future. Shared mobility offers users a flexible range of low or zero-emission alternatives, potentially reducing the use of private cars, as well as noise and air pollution. However, to date, there is little evidence of shared mobility acting as an alternative to private car use. Indeed, recent research suggests that shared vehicles not only substitute trips by private car, but also trips by active travel and public transport, thus not resulting in emission savings. Therefore, as part of the eHUBS project focusing on shared electric mobility hubs, the mode substitution patterns of 602 self-reported shared mobility users across Europe were investigated. More specifically, respondents of an online survey were asked to recall their last trip using shared mobility and to report on both their chosen and substituted travel mode in addition to common trip characteristics including trip distance and frequency. Chosen shared modes considered were both conventional or electric alternatives including cars, bicycles, cargobikes, and scooters. Overall, the results suggested that shared vehicles were about as or more likely to substitute public transport, cycling and walking, as private car trips, thus providing a mixed picture with respect to their potential contribution to reducing private car use and associated carbon emissions. Local authorities and policy makers are urged to actively continue to improve active travel facilities and to be proactive in better integration of shared mobility and public transport services.