Scoot, Park, Repeat: The Role of Motivation and Behavioural Nudge Messages on Shared E-Scooter Parking Behaviour

Abstract

This research explores how intrinsic and extrinsic motivation influence shared e-scooter parking in Stavanger, Norway, and evaluates the effectiveness of digital nudges in promoting proper parking. While shared e-scooters provide a sustainable urban transportation option, they also bring challenges, especially regarding poor parking practices that obstruct pathways and clutter public spaces.

Using a quantitative approach, data was gathered via a survey distributed through Qualtrics XM to the residents of Stavanger. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental nudge groups—priming, framing, and feedback—or a control group with no nudge intervention. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, along with poor shared e-scooter parking behaviour, were measured using Likert scales, with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) validating the measurement models.

The analysis revealed that intrinsic motivation, driven by personal satisfaction and internal rewards, reduces poor shared e-scooter parking. Conversely, extrinsic motivators, such as external rewards or punishments, were found to potentially increase poor parking. The tested nudges showed no significant direct effects or interactions with motivational factors on shared e-scooter parking, suggesting that they alone are insufficient to change shared e-scooter parking behaviours.

Our findings emphasize the significance of promoting intrinsic motivation over extrinsic motivation to improve adherence to shared e-scooter parking policies. City officials and policymakers can tap into intrinsic motivators to create regulations that encourage proper shared e-scooter parking through educational and public awareness campaigns. Shared escooter operators can foster intrinsic motivation for proper parking through gamification elements to enhance user compliance. Shared e-scooter regulators can apply study insights to intrinsically motivate users to report poor parking more frequently, ultimately leading to safer and more efficient urban environments. This research contributes to a broader understanding of behavioural drivers and regulatory mechanisms in shared micromobility, highlighting the need for tailored, data-driven strategies to enhance urban mobility and public safety. By integrating theories of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation from Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and intervention application from Nudge Theory, our study provides a comprehensive framework for addressing shared e-scooter parking challenges. These findings can be adapted to other cities, serving as a model for sustainable urban development.