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Electrically-assisted bikes: Potential impacts on travel behaviour

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  • Cairns, S.
  • Behrendt, F.
  • Raffo, D.
  • Beaumont, C.
  • Kiefer, C.

Abstract

This paper reports on a review of the European literature about the impacts of having an electrically-assisted bike available to use, together with results from a trial in the UK city of Brighton, where 80 employees were loaned an electrically-assisted bike for a 6–8week period. In the Brighton trial, three-quarters of those who were loaned an e-bike used them at least once a week. Across the sample as a whole, average usage was in the order of 15–20miles per week, and was accompanied by an overall reduction in car mileage of 20%. At the end of the trial, 38% participants expected to cycle more in the future, and at least 70% said that they would like to have an e-bike available for use in the future, and would cycle more if this was the case. This is consistent with the results of the European literature which shows that when e-bikes are made available, they get used; that a proportion of e-bike trips typically substitutes for car use; and that many people who take part in trials become interested in future e-bike use, or cycling more generally.

Suggested Citation

  • Cairns, S. & Behrendt, F. & Raffo, D. & Beaumont, C. & Kiefer, C., 2017. "Electrically-assisted bikes: Potential impacts on travel behaviour," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 327-342.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:103:y:2017:i:c:p:327-342
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2017.03.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    7. Ton, Danique & Duives, Dorine, 2021. "Understanding long-term changes in commuter mode use of a pilot featuring free e-bike trials," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 134-144.
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    9. Paul Plazier & Gerd Weitkamp & Agnes van den Berg, 2023. "E-bikes in rural areas: current and potential users in the Netherlands," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(4), pages 1449-1470, August.
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    11. Kębłowski, Wojciech & Dobruszkes, Frédéric & Boussauw, Kobe, 2022. "Moving past sustainable transport studies: Towards a critical perspective on urban transport," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 74-83.
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    14. Michał Adam Kwiatkowski & Elżbieta Grzelak-Kostulska & Jadwiga Biegańska, 2021. "Could It Be a Bike for Everyone? The Electric Bicycle in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.
    15. Frank, Laura & Klopfer, Antonia & Walther, Grit, 2024. "Designing corporate mobility as a service – Decision support and perspectives," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    16. Jenkins, Michael & Lustosa, Lucio & Chia, Victoria & Wildish, Sarah & Tan, Maria & Hoornweg, Daniel & Lloyd, Meghann & Dogra, Shilpa, 2022. "What do we know about pedal assist E-bikes? A scoping review to inform future directions," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 25-37.
    17. Ba Hung, Nguyen & Lim, Ocktaeck, 2019. "The effects of operating conditions and structural parameters on the dynamic, electric consumption and power generation characteristics of an electric assisted bicycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 285-296.
    18. Frauke Behrendt & Sally Cairns & David Raffo & Ian Philips, 2021. "Impact of E-Bikes on Cycling in Hilly Areas: Participants’ Experience of Electrically-Assisted Cycling in a UK Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.
    19. Schneider, Paul R., 2023. "From elements to policies: A Shovian social practice perspective on pathways to facilitate daily E-bike commuting," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 36-45.
    20. Nematchoua, ModesteKameni & Deuse, Caroline & Cools, Mario & Reiter, Sigrid, 2020. "Evaluation of the potential of classic and electric bicycle commuting as an impetus for the transition towards environmentally sustainable cities: A case study of the university campuses in Liege, Bel," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    21. Gihan Ekanayake & Mahesh Suresh Patil & Jae-Hyeong Seo & Moo-Yeon Lee, 2018. "Numerical Study on Heat Transfer Characteristics of the 36V Electronic Control Unit System for an Electric Bicycle," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-17, September.
    22. Jelle Van Cauwenberg & Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij & Peter Clarys & Bas de Geus & Benedicte Deforche, 2019. "E-bikes among older adults: benefits, disadvantages, usage and crash characteristics," Transportation, Springer, vol. 46(6), pages 2151-2172, December.
    23. Genikomsakis, Konstantinos N. & Galatoulas, Nikolaos-Fivos & Ioakimidis, Christos S., 2021. "Towards the development of a hotel-based e-bike rental service: Results from a stated preference survey and techno-economic analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(PA).
    24. Wojciech Keblowski & Frédéric Dobruszkes & Kobe Boussauw, 2022. "Moving past sustainable transport studies: Towards a critical perspective on urban transport," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/341191, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    25. Philips, Ian & Anable, Jillian & Chatterton, Tim, 2022. "E-bikes and their capability to reduce car CO2 emissions," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 11-23.

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