How micromobility affects the climate

"Operating e-scooters and e-bikes seems climate-friendly at first glance because they do not use internal combustion engines. But in terms of their carbon footprint, the means of transport they typically replace is ultimately what matters," explains Reck.

The transport researchers showed that shared e-scooters and e-bikes in the city of Zurich primarily replace more sustainable modes of transport—walking, public transport and cycling. This means that they emit more carbon than the means of transport they replace. "In the way they are currently used, shared e-scooters and e-bikes do the climate more harm than good," says Reck.