The potential of electrically assisted cycling in the everyday commute – a mixed methods approach 8/31/16 | 1 Paul Plazier PhD candidate, University of Groningen, NL RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2016, London Current & emerging research in transport (2)
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The potential of electrically assisted cycling in the everyday commute – a mixed methods approach
8/31/16 | 1
Paul PlazierPhD candidate, University of Groningen, NLRGS-IBGAnnual International Conference 2016, LondonCurrent & emerging research in transport (2)
Introduction› Case study in the Netherlands› High levels of conventional cycling, growth of e-bike use› E-bikes: cover longer distances at higher average speeds against
reduced physical effort› Popular among elderly people. But: growing use among younger
ages, for various purposes› Potential for substitution of motorized commuting?
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Aims› Perceived gap in research related to adoption/use of e-bikes for
commuting
› Aim to assess the potential of commuting by e-bike by:• Studying travel behavior of e-bike commuters and motives for
adoption and use• Studying on-road experiences of e-bike commuters
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Method› 24 participants› 14-day GPS tracking› GPS data: input for
follow-up in-depth interviews
› Interviews: complete/validate GPS data
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“I barely use the e-bike inthe village. My kids couldn’tkeep up with me (laughs)(..) And I’ve always doneminor grocery shoppingusing my conventional bike.That didn’t change”
“I take the e-bike to work, aslong as it isn’t raining too hard,and my husband can pick up thekids from school (..) Thecommute is twice as long as bycar, but.. I enjoy it so muchmore..”
Method
Results› E-bike use replaces car commuting where conventional cycling
isn’t realistic› Benefits of regular cycling (outdoor & physical activity,
independency) + mitigation of relative disadvantages (increased travel time, excessive effort)
› Weather and ‘agenda’ main impediments› 63% of commutes made by e-bike, 14.1km/8.8m on average› E-bike commutes twice as long as car commutes, about as long as
bus commutes› Route choice: calm & pleasant commutes favored over faster,
more direct routes
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Route A Route BLength 15.5 km
9.6 mi15.3 km9,5 M
Duration 50 mn 45 mnAvg speed 18.6 km/h
11.6 mph20.4 km/h12.7 mph
Results› Sharp difference in cycling experience in urban and rural
environments
› Being faster is less important than traveling for longer distances› Assisted cycling changes the way cyclists ride
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Conclusions› E-bikes can effectively subsitute motorized commuting› Longer average commutes by e-bike are traded for the benefits of
assisted cycling› Participants are inclined to choose enjoyable itineraries over
shorter routes› Findings stress the importance of subjective experience in
commuting by e-bike
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Final remarks› Small, non-representative sample› No quantitative assessment of mode use change› Bike-friendly environment
› Findings supports future efforts directed at increasing e-bike use› More research needed on role of subjective experiences in
commuting and assisted cycling › Role of experience in environmental and infrastructure design› E-bikes potentially a developing link in sustainable transport