An e-Bike of One's Own: How Access to an e-Assist Bicycle Impacts Mode Choice
Need Statement 714
Problem
MnDOT has a target of reducing per capita state-wide vehicle miles traveled by 20% by 2050. Previous studies have shown that people who own an e-bike bicycle more and drive less than they would without access to an e-bike. There have been several pilot programs at the city level (Denver, CO; Oslo, Norway) and at the campus level (Google, Delft University of Technology) where study participants were provided with free or low-cost e-bikes, or access to an e-bike share fleet. There have been several population-level studies in countries where bicycling already has a significant mode share and e-bike adoption is noticeable (e.g., western European countries). The impact of bike share – both conventional and electric - has also been extensively studied.
However, the existing body of research appears to lack investigation into state-wide efforts to provide access to e-bikes. The midwestern US is also not well represented in previous studies.
Objective
Currently proposed state legislation (HF 2360) would provide a credit towards a substantial percentage (50-75% up to $1500) of the purchase price of an e-bike from participating retailers in Minnesota. This may present an opportunity for MnDOT to study the short- and long-term impacts of e-bike access for people across the state which may include the number of vehicle trips shifted, personal savings, and health benefits. This research study could be performed without the passage of this legislation, although the cohort of study participants would be smaller.
Participants would be asked to participate in periodic surveys and travel pattern reporting/monitoring for up to 2 years after the purchase of the e-bike in exchange for a stipend covering the some or all the remaining cost of the e-bike.
Additional research could survey interested participants who do not receive an e-bike to better identify barriers of access (funding, availability, etc.) and using e-bikes (storage, weather, etc.) for MnDOT’s Active Transportation program to consider improving with future funding.
Strategic Priorities
- Innovation & Future Needs:
As MnDOT is working to advance electrification of vehicle and transit fleets, considering electrification of bicycles to increase distance and use of the mode is a valuable research project to identify where funding and resources should be focused. - Advancing Equity:
MnDOT is working to advance equity through a variety of programs and planning efforts including the Advancing Transportation Equity Initiative which incorporates equity in transportation decision-making. The effort aims to improve access and opportunities for underserved communities in Minnesota. Access to e-bikes and safe infrastructure is one way to reduce car trips and car ownership, both of which have major equity impacts. - Climate Change & Environment:
The overall cost of electrifying the bicycle fleet is significantly lower than that of the vehicle and transit fleets and e-bikes may have a much better cost/benefit ratio for reducing greenhouse gasses from individual trips than electric cars. Reducing single occupancy vehicle trip also has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Expected Outcomes
- New or improved policy, rules, or regulations
- New or improved decision support tool, simulation, or model/algorithm (software)
Expected Benefits
- Construction Savings
Increasing the utilization of e-bikes could, in the long term, decrease construction costs by taking demand off our roadways and moving it to lower cost infrastructure. - Environmental Aspects: Air Pollution
Increasing e-bike utilization, or replacing car trips with e-bike trips, would decrease carbon emissions and decrease air pollution. - Reduce Road User Cost: Reduce congestion
Increasing e-bike utilization, or replacing car trips with e-bike trips, would decrease road congestion in the short term and, in the long term, reduce road user costs. - Safety
Increasing e-bike utilization, or replacing car trips with e-bike trips, would improve safety on roadways by reducing the number of cars on the road. Additionally, more people biking would improve safety of bike infrastructure and other infrastructure. - Other
Increasing e-bike utilization, or replacing car trips with e-bike trips, would make a significant impact on public health outcomes in Minnesota by increasing physical activity and reducing chronic disease.
Technical Advisory Panel
The following are potential members for the TAP.
- Kristina Heggedal, Future Mobility Planner in MnDOT’s Office of Sustainability and Public Health, Kristina.Heggedal@state.mn.us / 651-366-3009
- TBD staff member from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Climate and Health Program
- Consult Raab, Kristin (MDH) kristin.raab@state.mn.us 651-201-4893
- Dylan Galos, MDH’s Office of Statewide Health Improvement Partnership,
- Dylan.galos@state.mn.us, Office: 651-201-5428 / Mobile: 612-501-7770
- CJ Lindor from the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, cj@bikemn.org, 612-860-9690
- Mari Ojeda, Senior Policy Associate, Energy Access and Equity at Fresh Energy, ojeda@fresh-energy.org
- TBD e-bike retailer staff (Erik’s, Perennial, GreaterMN bike shop, e-Bike Duluth, etc.)
- Consult info@e-bikeduluth.com 218-206-3659
- Abdullahi Abdulle, Transportation Equity Planning Coordinator, Office of Transportation System Mgmt.
- Abdullahi.Abdulle@state.mn.us 651-366-3799