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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

E-bike sharing and the infrastructure implications and environmental impacts of new technology in transportation systems

Electric bicycles (E-bikes), and in particular electric bicycle sharing programs, represent a new technology in the transportation system. E-bike sharing programs have the potential to replace current modes of transportation, while also improving the mobility of disadvantaged populations. This work will use a survey approach to gather data as to who the users of the e-bike share are and the types of trips which they are making with the e-bikes. This will be utilized to build a mode choice model which includes e-bike sharing. The environmental and economic impacts of e-bike sharing programs will be evaluated in order to generate insight into this mode of transportation. As will the expansion of access to populations not well served by current transit systems. The environmental impacts of the current docking station will be assessed and compared to other options such as charging the e-bikes in place at their docks. The work proposed here, presents a framework towards quantitatively assessing the impact of adopting an emerging transportation mode, from an environmental and operational perspective. Specifically, for electric bicycles, the proposed work will pave the way towards smart adoption of electric bicycles informed by real data, predictive analytics and policy impacts. With the promising and evolving technology of electric bicycles, smart adoption of this technology in cities can result in a revolution of intracity travel and transportation sustainability.