Shared electric bicycles: who are the potential users? An examination of survey results from urban and suburban neighbourhoods in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area

Bicycle sharing systems based on electric bicycles (e-bikes) have the potential to provide users with unique benefits compared to conventional bike sharing systems and privately owned e-bikes. It follows that their use-patterns and motivations would also be unique. Through an online transportation survey, this research examines the socio-demographic, attitudinal, and environmental factors that influence a respondent’s propensity to consider using a shared e-bike. It was revealed that a similar proportion of people living in urban and suburban areas are willing to consider this micro-mobility option. Additionally, it appears that in urban environments, shared e-bike systems are more likely to replace transit and walking trips, while in suburban environments, they are more likely to replace car trips. The results of the analysis indicate that all respondents with income less than $50,000 (OR=1.08), suburban respondents

who already own a bicycle (OR=1.06), suburban respondents who valued active, environmentally friendly, cost effective, and flexible transportation modes (OR=1.07), urban respondents who felt they had connective cycling infrastructure near them (OR=1.09), urban respondents who felt the streets were not too congested (OR=1.08), and suburban respondents who felt walking and cycling were practical ways of getting to their destinations (OR=1.11) were

more likely to consider use of shared e-bikes. All respondents who do not travel for work or school (OR=0.89) and urban respondents whose primary commute modes were active (walking or cycling) (OR=0.93) were less likely to consider shared use of shared e-bikes. The findings reported in this study can be useful for transportation planners in evaluating the feasibility of implementation, and optimizing the strategic placements of shared e-bike schemes in urban and suburban areas.