E-bikes and travel behaviour change: systematic review of experimental studies with meta-analyses

Transitioning from private cars to active modes of transport is key to reducing transport related greenhouse gases emissions and promoting physical activity. Electrically assisted bicycles, often referred to as e-bikes, play a pivotal role in facilitating this shift. However, the environmental and health benefits of e-bikes depend on the modes they substitute, with the highest benefits obtained when private cars are replaced. This systematic review and meta-analysis targets quasi-experimental (i.e. pre–post measures of travel behaviours without control group) and experimental (i.e. pre–post measures of travel behaviours with control groups) studies assessing the impact of acquiring an e-bike on overall travel behaviour changes expressed in both distances and mode share (in % of kilometres travelled). Ten studies, all conducted in Northern Europe, were included. Results from the narrative synthesis and meta-analysis show that: (i) when participants have access to an e-bike, either through a free loan programme or a purchase, they engage in e-cycling; the meta-analysis reveals a significant difference of 5 km travelled daily after the interventions between participants that got access to an e-bike compared to those from control groups with no e-bikes, reflecting a substantial increase of 26% in e-bike mode share; (ii) e-bikes can substitute for all other modes of transport, but car use appears to be the most affected in both the systematic review and meta-analyses difference (2.4 km fewer travelled per day by car between the intervention and control groups at follow-up, reflecting to a 10% decrease in car mode share); (iii) baseline travel behaviours may influence modal shift, with e-bikes substituting for the most prevalent means of transport in baseline. E-bikes have the potential to be a reliable and competitive alternative to cars in a healthier and more sustainable transport system and our study brings new empirical evidence to support this claim.