Can an e-bike share system increase awareness and consideration of e-bikes as a commute mode? Results from a natural experiment

Abstract

Electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) may encourage commuters to shift from car to bike by improving perceptions of bicycling safety and increasing destination accessibility. Awareness of e-bikes is an important first step toward more widespread adoption. This article uses a natural experiment design to examine the impact of the implementation of an e-bike share system in Davis, CA, on awareness of e-bikes and consideration of the use of e-bikes for commuting. We use data from three cross-sectional surveys of employees at the University of California, Davis, to estimate the effect of the opening of the e-bike system on changes in awareness and consideration and examine other important factors associated with these outcomes. The results suggest that a shared e-bike system can substantially increase awareness of e-bikes, but that additional strategies may be needed to convert awareness into consideration of the use of e-bikes for commuting.