E-bike trials in Australia results in change in transport habits
Posted on in Cycles News
West Australians have saved thousands of dollars and eliminated more than 1000 car journeys after taking part in two electric bike trials.
Sixty people across Perth and Albany took part in two separate 10 week trials coordinated by the RAC.
The Perth trial was carried out in 2015 and the Albany trial began late last year. The 60 participants had free use of an 'e-Bike' for their commute to and from work for the 10 weeks, as well as any other trips they wished to make.
After the trial users reporting savings of around $530 for the duration of the hire (a combined total of $18,000) and in turn this has led to a huge turn around in people ditching their cars in favour of bikes as their main form of transportation.
Usage of the e-Bikes for commuting remained high for the duration of the Albany trial, peaking at 60% in the first week, before dropping to 28% by week nine.
But the uptake in cycling was sustained even after the trial finished.
One in two participants enjoyed riding their e-Bike so much they purchased it once the trial finished. And the majority said they would recommend them to family and friends as a commuting option.
RAC general manager of public policy Anne Still said she hoped the project would bring more people into contact with e-Bikes. "WA is already a great place to cycle, it's also really progressing in terms of infrastructure.
"We see e-Bikes as a great way of unlocking more demand for cycling.
"They really take a lot of the effort out of cycling and help bring balance to (people's) commute. There is so much potential to be gained from it."
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