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

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

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:05pm

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An isometric 3D digital illustration depicting a stylized city street with people riding shared electric scooters and bikes, conceptually representing the growing popularity of micromobility as a cost-effective transportation option.As gas prices soar, shared scooters and e-bikes emerge as a more affordable and convenient way for city dwellers to get around.Santa Monica Today

A new national survey from Veo, a leading shared micromobility provider, found that 68% of riders 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. The survey also found that around $4 per gallon is the tipping point where demand for shared scooters and bikes begins to accelerate meaningfully.

Why it matters

As gas prices continue to strain household budgets, the survey results highlight the growing role of micromobility as an affordable and convenient transportation option, especially for short urban trips and commutes. This trend could have broader implications for reducing car dependency and promoting more sustainable mobility solutions in cities.

The details

The survey, based on 2,248 rider responses across Veo's 60+ city and university markets nationwide, found that among riders who own or have access to a car, 73% said shared scooters and bikes are cheaper than driving when gas prices are high. The survey also found that 52% of riders who do not own or have access to a car cited the expenses of car ownership as the reason.

  • The survey was conducted in March 2026.
  • According to AAA, 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 annually in over 60 cities and universities.

Candice Xie

The co-founder and CEO of Veo.

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The takeaway

The survey results underscore the growing affordability and convenience of shared micromobility options like scooters and e-bikes, especially as the cost of driving continues to rise. This trend could accelerate the shift away from car dependency in cities and promote more sustainable transportation solutions.