Study shows private e-scooters ease commuting and expand public-transport reach in Perth

Researchers from the Planning and Transport Research Centre at the University of Western Australia examined the habits of private e-scooter owners in Perth during April and May 2025, interviewing 249 users on popular corridors such as the Narrows and Matagarup bridges and in suburbs like Canning Bridge and Scarborough. The majority were men, though about a quarter were women and roughly 15% were aged over 50, showing the technology’s appeal beyond youth.

Participants primarily adopted e-scooters to bypass congestion, connect more easily with buses and trains, and reduce commuting expenses, with a few citing environmental benefits or leisure. The study noted tension between e-scooter riders, cyclists and pedestrians, recommending the construction of separate, well-marked pathways and better education to mitigate conflicts. It also identified Boorloo Bridge’s segregated lanes as a model and suggested adding storage and charging stations at transit hubs to further integrate e-rideables into the city’s transport network.