Flexible Mobile Hub for E-Bike Sharing and Cruise Tourism: A Case Study

Andrea Bardi,Caterina Malandri,Filippo Paganelli,Denis Grasso,Luca Mantecchini

doi:10.3390/su11195462

Abstract

Bike sharing is no longer a novelty in transportation and has now become a mobility solution in its own right. This study investigated the potential scope of application of e-bike sharing solutions for a niche sector such as cruise tourism, the importance of which is growing, with the aim of improving sustainability and reducing pollution levels in cruise ports. A revealed preference survey was administered to cruise tourists, who chose a pilot e-bike service once they had disembarked from the ship to visit the nearby city center, to investigate the main variables affecting satisfaction with the service under investigation. An ordered probit model was specified and calibrated to identify the relationship among the variables influencing e-bike sharing usage by cruise tourists and their satisfaction. Subsequently, the marginal effect of each significant factor was evaluated to quantify its actual impact on the related e-bike sharing satisfaction level. The results obtained are consistent with the literature, but interesting interpretations are provided in terms of the relative importance of significant variables.

Highlights

In the last few years, bike sharing has become one of the most interesting and popular urban mobility options worldwide and, according to some authors [1,2,3], it is one of the fastest growing transportation solutions in the history of modern transportation
The aim of this paper was to propose and assess the opportunities for an additional niche of operation for e-bike services consisting of a mobile depot which can be moved and transported within and across both port and urban areas to respond to demand evolution
Two research issues were proposed: the identification of (i) the major factors driving the development of e-bike sharing programs for cruise tourists, and (ii) the main motivators for cruise tourists to join a service of this kind

Summary

Introduction

In the last few years, bike sharing has become one of the most interesting and popular urban mobility options worldwide and, according to some authors [1,2,3], it is one of the fastest growing transportation solutions in the history of modern transportation. As far as the financial sustainability of the service is concerned, bike sharing is a feasible business model for e-bikes, as the costs are spread over many users, in particular when integrated mobility is considered. The main themes of e-bike sharing concern them being hybrid vehicles, the relationship between range and demand, user interface and business model, and power supply management (recharging station, green power source, and duration). In this respect, it is interesting to note that pilot projects are increasingly proposing additional plug-in or removable batteries to allow the bikes to remain in service while the old battery is plugged in at the charging station

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Conclusion