E-bikes in rural areas: current and potential users in the Netherlands

Paul Plazier (), Gerd Weitkamp () and Agnes van den Berg ()
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Paul Plazier: University of Groningen
Gerd Weitkamp: University of Groningen
Agnes van den Berg: University of Groningen

Transportation, 2023, vol. 50, issue 4, No 10, 1449-1470

Abstract: Abstract This study considers how socio-demographic characteristics, mobility situation and attitudes explain current and potential e-bike use in rural areas. Due to longer distances between travel destinations, rural areas in most western societies are characterized by a high car dependence and low use of active modes like walking and cycling. Developing e-bike mobility in these areas can support more healthy and sustainable rural mobility. A large-scale mobility survey conducted among rural residents in the northern parts of the Netherlands provides insight in the determinants of current and potential e-bike use in rural areas. The participant characteristics show that in rural areas also, the e-bike is already used among a broad population of varied ages and backgrounds and for different purposes. Among respondents who did not own an e-bike, especially those with lower socioeconomic status and a household with children showed more willingness to use an e-bike in the future. No evidence was found for current or potential substitution of public transport use. Current e-bike users less likely use a car or regular bicycle as their primary mode of transport. Those who are willing to use an e-bike are less likely to currently use a regular bicycle as their main mode of transport. These findings suggest that the e-bike can substitute both car and bicycle use to some extent. However, bicycle users seem more reluctant towards owning or adopting an e-bike than car users, suggesting greater potential for a shift away from car travel. Furthermore, current and potential e-bike users hold more positive attitudes toward different aspects of e-bike travel than non-users. This provides impetus for future actions to further encourage e-bike use.

Keywords: Electrically-assisted cycling; Rural mobility; Accessibility; Mobility behavior; Active transport (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s11116-022-10283-y

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