Potential for Increasing Physical Activity through an e-Bike Pilot Program to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Transportation Studies

Background:

• Active transportation offers significant physical and mental health benefits.
• Electric bicycles (e-bikes) represent a promising mode of active transport.
• Climate change mitigation strategies increasingly focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot a program providing free pedal-assist e-bikes to income-eligible residents in Worcester, MA.
• To assess the potential of e-bikes as a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• To evaluate e-bike adoption and usage patterns within a community-engaged framework.

Main Methods:

• A two-year pilot program provided 100 free e-bikes to income-eligible individuals in Worcester.
• A community-engaged approach was utilized for program implementation and participant support.
• Participant e-bike usage was tracked for 13 months, collecting data on trips, mileage, and duration.

Main Results:

• 64% of 96 participants regularly reported e-bike usage over the first 13 months.
• Monthly usage averaged 17 trips, 65 miles, and 20 minutes of physical activity per trip.
• Usage patterns showed high initial engagement, seasonal fluctuations, and recovery after winter.

Conclusions:

• E-bike programs can effectively increase active transportation and physical activity.
• Providing e-bikes is a viable strategy for climate change mitigation through reduced emissions.
• Behavioral shifts and consistent reporting are key considerations for program success.