Discursive co-construction of e-scooter emergence: Comparative study of media and resident feedback in Helsinki

Cities worldwide are experiencing a process of emergence of shared micromobility services, most often in the form of electric standing scooters. Such mobility services are already identified to provide positive and negative impacts, such as improved accessibility to public transport stations or an increase in crash frequency (Fitt & Curl, 2020; Bieliński & Ważna, 2020; Mukhtar, et al., 2021; Haworth & Schramm, 2019). Besides these measurable impacts, the emergence of mobility modes, especially in the context of modern democracy, relies on public opinion dynamics (Sareen, et al., 2021). Similarly, in the context of an institutional void where hard policies are missing, public discourse plays an important role in shaping public policy (Pangbourne, et al., 2020). Thus, this study aims to analyze the role of media articles in shaping public policy, with a particular case of restrictions introduced on nighttime e-scooter usage and speed in Helsinki, Finland, during 2021. Media analysis is contrasted with an analysis of qualitative feedback through the well-established communication channels between residents and the City of Helsinki. The sample size of media articles and resident feedbacks were 82 and 311, respectively, spanning from October 8th, 2019, until September 29th, 2021. Comparative coding scheme has focused on identifying key issues and key perceived responsible or affected actors. Results indicate a discrepancy between media discourse, which greatly focuses on drunk riding and injuries, and resident feedback, which focuses more on improper parking behavior and sidewalk riding related to the lack of infrastructure at particular locations. Findings provide lessons for multi-level governance of emerging mobility technologies, where decisions need to be made by cooperation of multiple actors, but without a comprehensive analysis of impacts, as society is changing together with technology.

Cities worldwide are experiencing a process of emergence of shared micromobility services, most often in the form of electric standing scooters. Such mobility services are already identified to provide positive and negative impacts, such as improved accessibility to public transport stations or an increase in crash frequency (Fitt & Curl, 2020; Bieliński & Ważna, 2020; Mukhtar, et al., 2021; Haworth & Schramm, 2019). Besides these measurable impacts, the emergence of mobility modes, especially in the context of modern democracy, relies on public opinion dynamics (Sareen, et al., 2021). Similarly, in the context of an institutional void where hard policies are missing, public
discourse plays an important role in shaping public policy (Pangbourne, et al., 2020). Thus, this study aims to analyze the role of media articles in shaping public policy, with a particular case of restrictions introduced on nighttime e-scooter usage and speed in Helsinki, Finland, during 2021. Media analysis is contrasted with an analysis of qualitative feedback through the well-established communication channels between residents and the City of Helsinki. The sample size of media articles and resident feedbacks were 82 and 311, respectively, spanning from October 8th, 2019, until September 29th, 2021. Comparative coding scheme has focused on identifying key issues and key perceived responsible or affected actors. Results indicate a discrepancy between media discourse, which greatly focuses on drunk riding and injuries, and resident feedback, which focuses more on improper parking behavior and sidewalk riding related to the lack of infrastructure at particular locations. Findings provide lessons for multi-level governance of emerging mobility technologies, where decisions need to be made by cooperation of multiple actors, but without a comprehensive analysis of impacts, as society is changing together with technology.