Table 4 Summary of the findings (based on the implications identified by the interviewees)

Legitimization on the national level

Ride-hailing

A new type of taxi in April 2018 (in effect in Sep. 2020)

A new type of taxi in 2019

“A rental car with a driver” (mietwagen) in 2021

Implications

Not identified

Not identified

BM: Extra km-traveled—the requirement to come back to the company’s official “rental locations(s)”

Micro-mobility

Same category as a bicycle

New category—a light electric vehicle

New category—a light electric vehicle

Use rules – similar to bicycles with the exception of parking

New use rules, e.g.:

 Alcohol limit

 Age limit of 12 and above;

 Helmet requirement for under 15 years old;

 Mandatory liability insurance

New rules, e.g.:

 Technical requirements;

 Ban on using pedestrian infrastructure;

 License plates and insurance;

 Minimum age limit of 14 years old;

 Alcohol limit

Implications

Not identified

BM: Increased prices due to insurance requirements;

BM and PA: reconsideration of night-ride ban

BM: “A barrier to use”; extra pressure on companies to educate users

Local authorities’ approach to shared mobility

On increasing efficiency and utilization rates

The governance of the sharing economy and assessing their role in planning and regulating

Services as part of the City´s mobility offering; how to align BM and public authorities’ needs

Right to operate

Civil contract

Special use permit issued by the Stockholm region Police department in accordance with the municipality;

granted every 6 months;

vehicle cap of 12,000 e-scooters divided by the total number of eligible providers (12 providers in autumn 2022);

no cap on providers

After issuing special use permits, moved to tenders;

a limited number of vehicles;

a limited number of providers;

granted on an annual basis

Special use permit issued by Berlin´s Senate Department for the environment, urban mobility, consumer protection, and climate action;

granted every 12 months;

companies’ hotline for users;

no vehicle or providers cap—total number of vehicles 55,000 e-scooters shared among 5 providers (autumn 2022)

Implications

PA: Requires supplementing rules and agreements;

competitive market;

providers pulling out;

cannot regulate internal organizational activities, pricing, or coverage area

PA: Three companies operating in the city;

tying specific goals and requirements to e-scooters;

commitment from both city and providers;

flexibility to adjust requirements if needed

PA: Require supplementing rules and agreements;

cannot regulate internal organizational activities, pricing, or coverage area

Coverage area

Cannot be regulated;

relates to the number of vehicles

Use zones specified by local authorities

Cannot be regulated;

relates to the number of vehicles

Implications

BM and PA: Shrinking coverage area due to low number of vehicles

BM and PA: More equal distribution in the city

Not identified

Parking

A law from 1 Sep. 2022 forbids parking on bicycle, walking paths, and sidewalks;

parking allowed in special areas and bike racks

Regulated by the tender

Working on introducing a system with dedicated spaces by extending Jelbi mobility stations/points and repurposing car parking spots

Implications

BM and PA: Bikes and e-scooters compete for the same infrastructure

Not identified

Not identified

Data sharing

The vehicle position and movement patterns shared;

non-legally binding terms

The vehicle position and movement patterns shared according to the tender

The vehicle position and movement patterns shared;

non-legally binding terms

Implications

BM and PA: can make informed decisions; important element in achieving a multimodal transport system

Geofencing and speed limitations

Use of geofencing and speed limits according to MOU

Use of geofencing and speed limits according to tender

Use of geofencing according to MOU;

speed limits not allowed as considered an active intervention

Implications

BM and PA: Provides the possibility to restrict and steer use; can cause problems when implemented incorrectly; ethical considerations