First Advisor

Christopher M. Monsere

Term of Graduation

Winter 2024

Date of Publication

3-12-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.) in Civil & Environmental Engineering

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Language

English

Subjects

e-bike incentives, e-bikes, electric bicycles, micromobility

DOI

10.15760/etd.3737

Physical Description

1 online resource (xi, 168 pages)

Abstract

Rapid recent growth in the popularity of electric bicycles (e-bikes) has captured the attention of transportation researchers and policymakers seeking safe, sustainable, and active alternatives to conventional transportation modes. This thesis presents an investigation of e-bike owners in North America, complementing previous efforts in 2013 and 2017, and suggests implications for North American transportation planning.

An online survey was distributed to e-bike owners in the United States and Canada through email outreach, purchase incentive programs, and social media. The survey included questions on the respondents’ demographics, e-bikes, purchase decisions, travel behavior, perceptions of e-bikes, crash experience, maintenance needs, and receipt of purchase incentives.

Owners generally have a positive impression of e-bikes and their benefits. The market continues to be dominated by white, male, and affluent riders, but there is a higher share of women than in previous years. Young and old respondents have taken on the technology for differing reasons: transportation and recreation, respectively. There is some indication that the e-bike market is exiting the early adopter phase; however, the demographic profiles of e-bike riders still differ heavily from the general population. E-bikes are used primarily for utilitarian trips. Their proven ability to offset vehicle miles traveled supports investment in incentives and infrastructure from governments of all levels pursuing climate, health, and transportation equity goals. In particular, targeted initiatives aimed at addressing specific demographic segments and geographical contexts may foster more equitable uptake. Riders expressed a desire to ride their e-bikes more often, and for dedicated infrastructure and secure parking facilities. Few households with children allowed them to ride e-bikes. Respondents demonstrated a general misunderstanding of their e-bikes’ class and capabilities. Improper disposal of e-bike batteries does not seem to be a major concern.

Rights

© 2024 Cameron Steven Bennett

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/41771

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