Journal article
Age and attitude: Changes in cycling patterns of different e-bike user segments
Department of Transport, Technical University of Denmark1
Transport policy and behaviour, Department of Transport, Technical University of Denmark2
Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark3
Technology and Innovation Management, Department of Management Engineering, Technical University of Denmark4
The use and purchase of electric bicycles (e-bikes) is emerging in many countries. Existing knowledge about changes in cycling patterns and car replacement after gaining e-bike access is limited and partly contradictory. Based on an online survey among e-bike users in Denmark (N = 427), this study looked into these effects by differentiating between different segments of e-bike users.
We distinguished four age groups as well as three segments based on cycling attitudes and motives for the use and purchase of e-bikes: (1) enthusiastic e-bikers who showed the most positive attitudes towards e-bikes and mainly bought an e-bike to increase cycling frequency; (2) utilitarian e-bikers who already cycled regularly before having access to an e-bike and used the e-bike particularly for practical purposes and to reduce travel time; (3) recreational e-bikers who were very positive about e-bike use but used it less regularly and mainly for long-distance recreational trips.
Enthusiastic e-bikers reported the highest increase in overall cycling. Half of the enthusiastic e-bikers agreed that they bought the e-bike to replace a car. Differences between the four age groups were less pronounced. Nevertheless, we found that e-bike access decreased age differences in self-reported cycling frequency, whereas it increased differences in self-reported distances.
Measures to increase e-bike use should primarily focus on potential enthusiastic e-bikers. Possible interventions include promotional campaigns at workplaces, intended to address not only instrumental but also affective motives of e-bike use.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | Informa UK Limited |
Year: | 2016 |
Pages: | 836-846 |
ISSN: | 15568334 and 15568318 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1080/15568318.2016.1162881 |
ORCIDs: | Haustein, Sonja and Møller, Mette |