Cycling into Sustainability: Lessons from the Netherlands for Slovenia’s E-Bike Adoption

Sergej Gričar (), Urška Longar, Tanja Longar and Violeta Šugar
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Sergej Gričar: Faculty of Business and Management Science, University of Novo Mesto, Na Loko 2, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia
Urška Longar: Faculty of Business and Management Science, University of Novo Mesto, Na Loko 2, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia
Tanja Longar: Faculty of Economics and Informatics, University of Novo Mesto, Na Loko 2, 8000 Novo Mesto, Slovenia
Violeta Šugar: Faculty of Economics and Tourism Dr. Mijo Mirković, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Petra Preradovića 1, 52100 Pula, Croatia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-19

Abstract: This study investigates whether Slovenia can learn from the Netherlands to enhance its bicycle commuting culture and how e-bikes can improve cycling performance among its residents. The research utilises secondary data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia and Statista, covering variables such as bicycle sales, gross domestic product, and urbanisation rates from 1997 to 2024. The data are analysed using Vector Auto Regression (VAR). The results reveal that urbanisation positively influences both traditional and e-bike demand, highlighting the importance of improved cycling infrastructure. However, GDP negatively impacts bike demand, suggesting affordability issues that could hinder adoption without financial support. These findings indicate that e-bikes play a transformative role, particularly in overcoming Slovenia’s hilly terrain and long-distance commuting barriers, with evidence of substitution effects between traditional bicycles and e-bikes. Lessons from the Netherlands emphasise the integration of cycling with public transport, financial incentives, and cultural promotion of cycling. Slovenia’s growing e-bike market signals a promising shift towards sustainable mobility, but strategic investments in infrastructure and policies are crucial.

Keywords: cycling culture; e-bikes; policy incentives; sustainable mobility; urbanisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:22:p:9987-:d:1521992

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