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.
Highlights
Transport policy makers and urban planners are interested in encouraging cycling, given the potential to simultaneously achieve a number of goals – including addressing congestion; encouraging a switch from more polluting modes and thereby reducing local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; and increasing physical activity and thereby addressing obesity and a range of other health issues
Electrically-assisted bikes – or ‘pedelecs’ – are those where pedalling is required, but the rider can choose to switch on battery-powered assistance to reduce the effort required
This type of bike varies in design detail but, in all cases, assistance cuts out when the rider stops pedalling or when the bike exceeds specified speed thresholds, as set out by legislation (25 kmph across Europe). They are less environmentally friendly and require less physical activity than using conventional bikes for the same journeys, the differences are small when compared with using other forms of motorised transport such as the car, and the activity required is still sufficient to count as at least ‘moderate intensity’ physical activity
Summary
Transport policy makers and urban planners are interested in encouraging cycling, given the potential to simultaneously achieve a number of goals – including addressing congestion; encouraging a switch from more polluting modes and thereby reducing local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; and increasing physical activity and thereby addressing obesity and a range of other health issues (see, for example, OECD/ITF, 2013; APPCG, 2013). Electrically-assisted bikes – or ‘pedelecs’ – are those where pedalling is required, but the rider can choose to switch on battery-powered assistance to reduce the effort required This type of bike varies in design detail but, in all cases, assistance cuts out when the rider stops pedalling or when the bike exceeds specified speed thresholds, as set out by legislation (25 kmph across Europe). They are less environmentally friendly and require less physical activity than using conventional bikes for the same journeys, the differences are small when compared with using other forms of motorised transport such as the car, and the activity required is still sufficient to count as at least ‘moderate intensity’ physical activity. Cairns et al / Transportation Research Part A 103 (2017) 327–342
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
