Electric Bikes and Transportation Policy Insights from Early Adopters

Electric bikes (e-bikes) are increasingly common in China but are relatively rare in the United States. The findings from interviews with 28 e-bike owners in the Portland, Oregon, region provide insight into the potential market for and use of e-bikes in the United States. The interviews revealed several possible demographic markets for e-bikes that could expand the bicycling population: women, older adults, and people with physical limitations. Owners of e-bikes noted their ability to travel longer distances and over hills with relative ease and to arrive at a destination, such as work, less sweaty and less tired than a regular bicycle would allow. These features may overcome some of the common barriers to bicycling for all demographics. Most of the interviewed e-bike owners used their e-bikes to substitute for travel by either human-powered bicycles or traditional motor vehicles. Therefore, the e-bike can address concerns about health problems related to inactivity, pollution, and other public policy problems to which private vehicles contribute. Further research is needed to determine whether specific policies are needed to increase adoption of e-bikes. The potential for conflict between riders of e-bikes and of regular bikes because of speed differentials is a concern. Whether speed differentials will pose a significant problem will depend not only on the extent of adoption of e-bikes but the characteristics of the riders.