The use of electric scooters as an alternative means of transportation has gained significant attention in recent years, since the implementation of shared e-scooter systems in 2017. Since then, e-scooters have been a focus of socio-political discussion, with strong positioning by stakeholders. The impacts of this discussion can be seen in cities such as Paris, which have outright banned the micromobility vehicles, despite their implications for transport systems requiring further investigation. 

Guided by the Social Representation Theory, this project aims to explore e-scooter use, a subject traditionally examined through the lens of Engineering, using tools from Digital Humanities. The goal is to gain a better understanding of the common sense surrounding e-scooters and how these representations may influence behaviour and policymaking. To achieve this objective, the project will analyse communication processes and compare them with real-world e-scooter usage data, specifically in the city of Porto, Portugal. We plan to map the city of Porto according to e-scooter usage patterns and trends, and to identify the specific social representations circulating within each area identified on the map.

Results will be used to develop a communication framework that can be implemented by e-scooter stakeholders, particularly in the Municipality of Porto, to enhance their communication with users and ultimately contribute to the sustainable development of urban transportation systems.