Survey Says: E-Scooters Are Great for Riders’ Mental Health
In the first-ever study of the holistic health impacts of e-scooters, researchers from micromobility outfit Spin found that 69 percent of the company’s riders either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with the statement “riding a shared scooter improves my mental health” — with a majority of riders further specifying that the mode made them feel more relaxed, less stressed, and more mindful of their surroundings and fellow road users.
And a whopping 87 percent of riders said that knowledge of the environmental impact of their transportation choice was a major component of why they felt so good about taking a spin on a Spin — a fascinating finding that underscores that the benefits of shifting journeys out of cars aren’t just environmental.
The mental health outcomes of other active modes, of course, have been well-documented — especially when compared to driving, which study after study has shown increases a commuter’s risk of depression, anxiety, and overall low “life satisfaction.” But the report authors say most of that research has focused on how the exercise inherent to biking and walking can improve a person’s mood, rather than the other benefits of transportation options that let commuters experience their streets at human scale — whether or not they’re getting sweaty while doing it.