Wheels to Meals: Measuring the Impact of Micromobility on Restaurant Demand.

This article examines the economic impact of dockless electric scooter ("e-scooter") sharing programs on restaurant spending in U.S. cities. Using individual-level credit and debit card transaction data from 391 restaurant companies across 98 cities, the study finds that the introduction of e-scooter programs leads to a significant 5.2% increase in restaurant spending among e-scooter users, generating an estimated $11.3 million in incremental annual sales across cities that adopted e-scooters in summer 2018. The spending uplift is more pronounced in fast-food restaurants and among larger companies with lower average order values, benefiting both new and repeat customers, and is stronger in cities with higher shares of young adults and less existing public transit infrastructure. Robustness checks indicate that this increase in restaurant spending is not offset by declines in other local spending categories, suggesting a net positive effect on local economies. The findings have implications for city policymakers and businesses considering e-scooter program adoption as a tool for economic stimulation.