E-bikes and travel behaviour change: systematic review of experimental studies with meta-analyses

Abstract

Transitioning from private cars to active modes of transport is key to reducing transport related greenhouse gases emissions and promoting physical activity. Electrically assisted bicycles, often referred to as e-bikes, play a pivotal role in facilitating this shift. However, the environmental and health benefits of e-bikes depend on the modes they substitute, with the highest benefits obtained when private cars are replaced. This systematic review and meta-analysis targets quasi-experimental (i.e. pre–post measures of travel behaviours without control group) and experimental (i.e. pre–post measures of travel behaviours with control groups) studies assessing the impact of acquiring an e-bike on overall travel behaviour changes expressed in both distances and mode share (in % of kilometres travelled). Ten studies, all conducted in Northern Europe, were included. Results from the narrative synthesis and meta-analysis show that: (i) when participants have access to an e-bike, either through a free loan programme or a purchase, they engage in e-cycling; the meta-analysis reveals a significant difference of 5 km travelled daily after the interventions between participants that got access to an e-bike compared to those from control groups with no e-bikes, reflecting a substantial increase of 26% in e-bike mode share; (ii) e-bikes can substitute for all other modes of transport, but car use appears to be the most affected in both the systematic review and meta-analyses difference (2.4 km fewer travelled per day by car between the intervention and control groups at follow-up, reflecting to a 10% decrease in car mode share); (iii) baseline travel behaviours may influence modal shift, with e-bikes substituting for the most prevalent means of transport in baseline. E-bikes have the potential to be a reliable and competitive alternative to cars in a healthier and more sustainable transport system and our study brings new empirical evidence to support this claim.

E-bikes and travel behaviour change: systematic review of experimental studies with meta-analyses