The private e-scooter in the Netherlands

Abstract

This study explores the potential role of e-scooters in supporting “first-mile” travel to train stations in the Netherlands, a critical stage in daily commuting for many Dutch travellers. In a nation where bicycles are a primary mode of transport—especially for trips under 5 kilometres—the introduction of e-scooters offers an alternative with similar benefits: environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and ease of manoeuvrability. With their compact size and accessibility through sharing services, e-scooters can complement the existing bicycle culture, promising an appealing option for urban mobility.

The research focused on examining the role of e-scooters in “first-mile” travel through a stated preference choice experiment, given that e-scooters were newly legalised. A sample of 156 participants responded to six hypothetical travel scenarios, where they chose between familiar modes like walking, cycling, e-bikes, and e-scooters based on different factors such as carry-on ticket costs, parking times, and travel times. These scenarios were designed to reflect typical Dutch commuting choices while testing the appeal of e-scooters as a new transport option.

Analysis of the data using a Multinomial Logit (MNL) model yielded several insights into travel behaviour. There was a clear baseline preference for familiar modes, with participants showing a higher likelihood of choosing options like cycling or walking. Travel cost and time emerged as significant decision-making factors, with higher costs and longer times deterring mode choice. Notably, gender differences surfaced in this context, with males displaying greater tolerance for longer bike trips than females, indicating variations in time-cost sensitivities across demographics.

Experience with transport modes also influenced choices; prior e-scooter use was positively correlated with selecting this option again, suggesting that familiarity can increase comfort and confidence in choosing new modes. Established travel habits showed a strong impact on choice consistency, with individuals who typically walked or cycled to stations likely to maintain these habits, reinforcing the role of routine in travel preferences.

To illustrate the findings, a simulation modelled two scenarios. In the “Extreme Low” scenario, where e-scooter costs were low and parking time was minimal, walking was favoured for short distances (under 0.5 km), while cycling became dominant as distance increased. In contrast, the “Extreme High” scenario, with no fees and longer parking times, significantly boosted e-scooter attractiveness, particularly beyond 1.5 km, where it surpassed both walking and cycling. This outcome underscored the sensitivity of user preferences to economic factors, with e-scooters emerging as a highly competitive option when cost barriers were removed.

Overall, this study highlights the substantial potential for e-scooters to influence first-mile travel choices, particularly when costs are favourable and convenience is enhanced. By offering a viable alternative for medium-distance trips, e-scooters could reshape first-mile mobility in the Netherlands, complementing the well-established cycling culture and contributing to sustainable urban transport.