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Gaining Traction on Social Aspects of E-Biking: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Allison McCurdy

    (Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Elizabeth E. Perry

    (Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Jessica E. Leahy

    (School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA)

  • Kimberly J. Coleman

    (Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA)

  • Joshua Doyle

    (Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Lydia A. Kiewra

    (Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Shelby A. Marocco

    (Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Tatiana A. Iretskaia

    (Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Madison M. Janes

    (Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

  • Mikael Deliyski

    (Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, 480 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA)

Abstract

E-biking is alluring for its various physical, environmental, and financial benefits and the ability to travel farther and faster, and being physically easier to ride than astride an analog (traditional) bicycle. E-bikes are also a source of controversy, especially in places where analog bicycles have been allowed but e-bikes represent a “slippery slope” of technology permissions and/or in situations where the function of e-bikes may increase concerns about safety. Despite an increase in use and conversation about such use, academic literature focused on e-bikes’ social aspects remains sparse. The objective of this work is to describe the existing literature on the characteristics of social aspects of e-biking, particularly in leisure contexts. Analyzing the literature on e-bike social research is crucial considering e-bikes’ rapid rise in popularity and potential effects on access, inclusion, leisure, and sustainability. As e-bike prevalence and use increases worldwide, it is important to understand what topics characterize the existing e-bike literature, and, particularly in leisure-focused studies, to ascertain where studies may lend insight toward aims of inclusive and sustainable access, and related policy considerations. The Integrated Recreation Amenities Framework (IRAF) provides a conceptual framework for considering this question, as it focuses on the topical, spatial, and temporal scales of outdoor leisure-related activities toward sustainable conditions and explicitly provides an opportunity for emergent and case-specific factors to be considered alongside established ones. In this work, we explore the following: (1) How are e-bikes discussed across disciplines? and (2) How are e-bikes discussed in leisure-focused articles? Using a scoping review approach, we analyzed a corpus of 279 peer-reviewed articles relevant to the social aspects of e-bikes. Primarily using the IRAF for conceptual framing, our results center the geographies and contexts, topical areas, interdisciplinarity, and emergent additional social considerations of e-biking in general and in leisure-specific studies. The results enable us to connect interdisciplinary topic discussions and suggest where foundational and connective studies are warranted. This can inform decision making related to e-bike adoption, encourage multi-scalar thinking, and extend interdisciplinary research.

Suggested Citation

  • Allison McCurdy & Elizabeth E. Perry & Jessica E. Leahy & Kimberly J. Coleman & Joshua Doyle & Lydia A. Kiewra & Shelby A. Marocco & Tatiana A. Iretskaia & Madison M. Janes & Mikael Deliyski, 2024. "Gaining Traction on Social Aspects of E-Biking: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-19, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:17:p:7397-:d:1465486
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mathijs Haas & Maarten Kroesen & Caspar Chorus & Sascha Hoogendoorn-Lanser & Serge Hoogendoorn, 2022. "E-bike user groups and substitution effects: evidence from longitudinal travel data in the Netherlands," Transportation, Springer, vol. 49(3), pages 815-840, June.
    2. Li, Qiumeng & Fuerst, Franz & Luca, Davide, 2023. "Do shared E-bikes reduce urban carbon emissions?," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    3. Lazarus, Jessica & Pourquier, Jean Carpentier & Feng, Frank & Hammel, Henry & Shaheen, Susan, 2020. "Micromobility evolution and expansion: Understanding how docked and dockless bikesharing models complement and compete – A case study of San Francisco," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt96g9c9nd, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
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