The Sustainable Urban Transitions (SUT) Lab has published findings from its study of shared e-scooter use in Hannover, Germany, examining how micromobility interacts with public transport, cycling infrastructure, and the wider urban transport network.
The SUT Lab is a collaboration involving ETH Zürich, the Bolt Urban Fund, and partner cities. The study combines anonymized shared-mobility data from Bolt with modeling and simulation developed by ETH Zürich.
2.23 Million Trips Analyzed
The study analyzed 2.23 million shared e-scooter trips recorded between May 2024 and December 2025.
The average trip covered 1.5 km and lasted less than seven minutes. Local residents accounted for 96% of riders, while users aged 18–30 represented 70% and male users 71%. Commuting was the main use case, with higher demand in the afternoon.
Female riders averaged 1.4 km per trip at 13.6 km/h, compared with 1.5 km and 14.3 km/h for male riders. Women showed higher usage around metro and tram stations and a stronger morning peak. Street lighting, traffic safety, and road conditions were among the factors influencing route choice.
Safety and Public Transport Integration
An analysis of 77,000 trips identified potential safety warning signals associated with average speeds above 15 km/h, roads with 50 km/h speed limits, and unsignalized intersections.
The study recommends inspecting high-risk locations, improving road surfaces, redesigning complex intersections and roundabouts, expanding low-speed zones, and upgrading cycling and micromobility infrastructure.
More than 55% of e-scooter trips were classified as first- or last-mile connections to public transport, while 2.5% were identified as competing with public transport.
Following the introduction of mandatory parking zones in central Hannover in early 2025, compliance was high and improper parking on sidewalks and pedestrian areas declined, without reducing overall ridership. Trips of less than one kilometer decreased, while trips to the city center became longer and took more time.
Mobility Hubs and Transport Modeling
ETH Zürich also used simulation models to identify potential locations for mobility hubs integrating public transport, cycling, shared e-scooters, bike parking, and walking facilities. Suggested locations include Hannover Hauptbahnhof, Stadtbahn and S-Bahn stations, as well as Großer Hillen, Misburger Straße, Fasanenkrug, Nordhafen, Ahlem, and Anderten-Misburg.
Hannover’s current transport mode share is 31% car, 27% walking, 23% cycling, and 19% public transport. Modeling suggests that, if micromobility were available citywide, car trips could decrease by approximately 14%, while public transport use could increase by up to 20%.
The Hannover research phase has now concluded, with ETH Zürich and its partners set to discuss the findings and potential next steps with the city authorities.
Photo: Bolt
