The case of Paris' shared e-scooter ban and its impact on mobility: a study with the difference-in-differences approach

The present thesis analyses the impact of the ban on shared e-scooters imposed by the City of Paris on traffic flows. This policy, implemented in September 2023, represents a unique case in the European shared mobility framework. Concerns about environmental impact, sidewalk occupancy, and safety led policymakers to impose restrictions, even though shared e-scooters are generally considered a sustainable alternative to cars. This research uses multimodal flow data recorded by thermal cameras in the city of Paris and applies the difference-in-difference (DiD) technique to assess the impact of the policy. The technique involves the definition of a control and a treatment group in order to determine the significance of the results. The model shows that in central areas, the number of e-scooters decreased significantly while the number of bicycles increased, suggesting a substitution and competition dynamic between the two modes. On the other hand, the most peripheral stations didn't record any significant change after the ban, highlighting the predominance of privately owned scooters in this area. The results suggest a limited impact of the policy on the total number of scooters in the city. Although safety was one of the reasons for the ban, scooters appear to have remained present or even increased, with a shift towards privately owned vehicles. The ban in central areas has changed transport choices, while in peripheral areas the effect has been minimal. This research aims to contribute to the emerging literature on micromobility and provide insights for the regulation of shared mobility services in other cities.