Evaluation of an Electric Bike Pilot Project at Three Employment Campuses in Portland, Oregon

MacArthur, John; Kobel, Nicholas; Dill, Jennifer; Mumuni, Zakari · 2017 · ROSA P / National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC)

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Summary

This study evaluates an electric bike (e-bike) pilot program conducted at three Kaiser Permanente employment campuses in the Portland, Oregon region, from April 2014 to September 2015. The research was motivated by the need to understand whether e-bikes can reduce barriers to cycling, such as hills and sweat, thereby encouraging broader participation, particularly among demographics that typically do not cycle, such as older adults or those with physical limitations. The primary goal was to assess user acceptance of e-bikes as a first/last-mile commuting solution to reduce single-occupancy vehicle use. The methodology involved 155 employees who were issued Currie iZip E3 folding e-bikes for 10-week periods across six cohorts. Participants completed three online surveys: pre-use, during-use, and post-use. Data from 129 respondents were analyzed using statistical software and GIS. The participant pool was predominantly female (64%), white (73%), aged 35–54, and held college degrees, with many reporting good health despite some having physical limitations. The study focused on changes in travel behavior, perceptions of cycling barriers, and cyclist confidence. Results indicated that participants biked more frequently and to a wider variety of destinations during the program compared to before. Participants reported increased confidence as cyclists and cited fewer barriers to cycling, specifically noting that e-bikes helped overcome topographical challenges like hills and reduced concerns about arriving at work sweaty. The data supported the hypothesis that e-bikes enable users to travel to more distant locations and bike more often. However, the study noted limitations, including selection bias, a small sample size, and the inability to collect continuous GPS data due to technological constraints at the time. The findings suggest that e-bikes can broaden cycling participation by mitigating physical and environmental barriers, potentially integrating into multimodal transportation systems as a viable commuting substitute. The authors conclude that while e-bikes encourage more trips and attract new cyclists, further research is needed to determine how e-bikes replace other modes of transport, such as standard bicycles, cars, and public transit. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and employers seeking to promote sustainable transportation options.

Key finding

Participants biked more often and to a wider variety of places than before the study, became more confident cyclists, and cited fewer barriers to cycling, particularly for overcoming hills and reducing sweat.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 129

Provenance

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