Electric scooters have become an increasingly popular way for people to travel short distances since their introduction in the United States last year, owing to their speed and convenience. However, they have sparked debate and raised concerns about their safety.
Nine individuals who claim to have been hurt by e-scooters have sued Bird and Lime in a class-action complaint, alleging them of “gross negligence,” “aiding and abetting assault,” and failing to provide proper safety guidelines for users.
Instagram, in particular, has become an important channel for startups like Bird to reach out to their customers. And, because the company refers to safety as its “obsession,” my colleague and I wanted to see how well it communicated this to its followers.
Riding risks
Customers must typically download applications onto their smartphones. Which then direct them to the nearest available electric scooter 25 mph for rent. Riders can travel up to 15 miles per hour and then abandon the scooter. Once they arrive at their destination, which can be anywhere.
The use of e-scooters in the ride-sharing economy is a relatively recent development.
However, such ease comes at a price. Powered two-wheelers are particularly susceptible to traffic dangers. Three people have died and hundreds more riders and pedestrians have been hurt by e-scooters.
Scooter safety
Our research is restricted to one social media account from a single e-scooter startup and does not take into account Bird’s other customer engagement channels. The employment of protective gear when operating these two-wheelers still needs to be documented through conventional survey-based research.
However, our findings suggest that one of the leading e-scooter-sharing companies is not emphasizing the safe use of its products. As part of its Instagram promotional activities.
Given the rising number of e-scooter-related injuries and even fatalities. I think it may be up to health officials to stress the significance of wearing safety gear. And adhering to safe riding habits and also check these eriders.
Deterrence’s Limits
Police and Lime are the two main compliance measures in place to deter riders from contributing to helmet churn. According to research into deviant consumer behavior. This tactic of appealing to fear of punishment only applies to riders wearing helmets. It has no impact on the broader issues of vandalism and theft.
A change in perspective a personalized viewpoint
We should also take into account a “bring your own helmet” strategy. If the rider is the only constant among various mobility services. This strategy, allows customers and employees to interact with businesses. Using their own devices (also known as “bring your own device” or “BYOD”), may have originated in the technology industry. For instance, coffee drinkers. Who cares about the environment bring their own cups and still have the choice to use paper cups.
What is the future of the e-scooter market?
Investors are aware that these products are not toys. The public’s acceptance and adoption is a wave that venture capitalists are riding.
E-scooter adoption has outpaced that of similar services like bike-sharing and ride-hailing in the first year. In Sacramento, where the same company provides both bike and car services, shared e-bikes outnumbered ride-hailing rentals by a margin of 53-47%.
Policymakers must modify their strategies, just like with other quickly evolving technologies. They must also reconsider the laws and restrictions that make e-scooters unprofitable.
Rider safety must take precedence over growth for tech companies. They must collaborate with governments to maintain the footpath’s sanctity as a safe public space.