As Gas Prices Soar, Americans Turn to Shared Scooters and E-Bikes

Survey finds 68% of Veo riders have replaced car trips with shared micromobility in the past month due to high fuel costs.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract geometric illustration using bold shapes and primary colors to conceptually represent the growing popularity of shared micromobility as an affordable alternative to driving during a period of high fuel costs.Shared scooters and bikes emerge as a cost-effective transportation option as soaring gas prices drive more Americans to ditch their cars.Santa Monica Today

A new national survey from Veo, a leading shared micromobility provider, finds that as gas prices continue to rise, more Americans are choosing shared scooters and bikes over driving. The survey of over 2,200 Veo riders across 60+ markets shows that 68% have replaced car trips with shared micromobility in the past 30 days due to higher fuel costs, with 34% doing so frequently. Riders cited the affordability and convenience of shared scooters and bikes compared to driving, especially for short urban trips and commutes.

Why it matters

The survey results highlight the growing role of micromobility as a more affordable and accessible transportation option as the cost of driving rises. With gas prices straining household budgets, shared scooters and bikes are providing an alternative that can save riders money while also reducing traffic and emissions in cities.

The details

According to the survey, among Veo riders who own or have access to a car, 68% have replaced car trips with shared scooter or bike trips in the past 30 days due to higher gas prices, with 34% reporting they have done so frequently. 73% of these riders said shared micromobility is cheaper than driving when gas prices are high, and around $4 per gallon is the tipping point where demand for shared scooters and bikes begins to accelerate meaningfully. Riders frequently cited parking costs, traffic, and the convenience of short trips as additional reasons for choosing micromobility over driving.

  • The national average price of regular gasoline rose by approximately $1 from February 26 to March 26, 2026.

The players

Veo

A leading shared micromobility provider in North America that offers bike and scooter rides in over 60 cities and universities.

Candice Xie

The co-founder and CEO of Veo.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

As the cost of driving continues to rise, shared micromobility is emerging as an increasingly affordable and convenient transportation option for many Americans, particularly for short urban trips and commutes. This trend highlights the growing role of scooters, bikes, and other micromobility solutions in reducing car dependency and providing more sustainable mobility choices in cities.