Exploring e‐bikes as a mode of sustainable transport: A temporal qualitative study of the perspectives of a sample of novice riders in a Canadian city

Abstract

Key MessagesE-bikes are an under-studied emerging technology with potential to facilitate sustainability agendas in urban transportation (e.g. active, multi-modal, low-carbon mobility).Little to no research has been conducted on e-bikes in Canadian urban contexts where sprawl and car dependency are predominant. E-bikes may be a viable substitute for cars for shorter commutes, yet weight, winter weather, and battery life remain barriers.Automobile dependency is widely regarded as unsustainable and non-conducive to the newer Smart Growth planning paradigm. The need for reform in transportation behaviour, policy, and infrastructure is topping urban political agendas globally. E-bikes are one emerging technology with promise for advancing sustainability agendas. E-bikes are revolutionizing transportation in China and parts of Europe, yet little is known about user patterns in North America, particularly Canadian cities where uptake tends to lag. Through longitudinal focus groups and interviews we explore the changing behaviours, experiences, and perceptions of a group of novice e-bike riders over a three-year period in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario in order to expand upon the limited knowledge base on urban e-bike usage, impacts, and challenges. Prevailing themes discussed include the types of trips e-bikes are typically used for, implications for physical activity, prospects for enabling a modal shift away from cars and encouraging multi-modal transit, and limitations (e.g., battery restrictions, heavy weight, lack of infrastructure, fear of theft, winter weather, etc.). Further research is needed to better understand how e-bikes influence physical activity, social determinants of health, and safety; how demographic and physical environmental factors influence individual decisions around modal shift; and differences in use patterns between avid and novice cyclists.

Cumbersome but desirable—Breaking the code of everyday cycling

“…The power provided by the engine, together with weight and grip, could make it easier to navigate through snow, but mainly for the more avid cyclists. This finding was supported by Edge et al [ 27 ], that is, the more enthusiastic cyclists were more likely to ride their e-bike in all weather conditions and through all seasons. In addition, battery range was markedly reduced in lower temperatures, which has also been reported in other studies [ 27 , 28 ].…”

“…For participants who lived closer to their workplace, and in more densely populated areas, cycling was equally fast or faster than a car, especially when riding the e-bike and during rush hour. Correspondingly, in a small sample of novice e-bike users in Canada, the participants emphasised that when accounting for the time necessary for parking, the total commute time for an e-bike and a car was comparable [ 27 ], and in a Dutch study, the duration of commutes by e-bike was approximately as long as bus commutes but longer than car commutes [ 18 ]. Additionally, in a study in the San Francisco Bay Area [ 15 ], participants and cargo e-bike users emphasised that compared with driving a car during rush hour, the commute by bike was far more time reliable.…”

Motivations and Barriers for Using Speed Pedelecs for Daily Commuting

“…A Canadian temporal qualitative study of novice riders that provided electric bicycles with a maximum speed of 40 km/h to 25 test persons for everyday use during a period of three years states the following: "Prevailing themes discussed include the types of trips e-bikes are typically used for, are implications for physical activity, prospects for enabling a modal shift away from cars and encouraging multi-modal transit, and limitations (e.g., battery restrictions, heavy weight, lack of infrastructure, fear of theft, winter weather, etc.)" [40]. However, [40] does not make a clear distinction between pedelecs and speed pedelecs, as is the case in Belgium shown in the previous paragraph.…”

“…[40]. However, [40] does not make a clear distinction between pedelecs and speed pedelecs, as is the case in Belgium shown in the previous paragraph. A North American survey of electric bicycle owners states that 20.1% of their respondents were in possession of a speed pedelec but makes no further distinction in their conclusions [49].…”

“…A Swiss article refers to speed pedelecs as e-bikes45 [39], and a Canadian study uses the term e-bikes for electric pedal-assist bikes up to 40 km/h. [40]. Cyclable, a large French bike retailer, states on their website the following: "In May 2018, the Union Sport Cycles, a French federation of all cycle manufacturers and traders, decided to use the following: 'speedelec' or 'speed pedelec'".…”