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

Active transportation such as walking, bicycling, scootering, or using a wheelchair has direct physical and mental health benefits. Electric bicycles (e-bikes) have great potential as a form of active transportation. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center partnered with the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) to develop and pilot test a program to provide free pedal assist e-bikes with implementation support for income-eligible residents in Worcester, MA as a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. MassBike received program funding over two years to provide 100 free e-bicycles to income-eligible individuals who live or work in Worcester utilizing a community-engaged approach. The e-bike pilot program took place from August 2022-May 2024. Overall, 64% of the 96 participants regularly reported their e-bike usage during the first 13 months of deployment. Per month, participants who reported their usage on average made 17 trips, rode 65 miles, and were physically active for 20 minutes per trip using their e-bike. Program results demonstrated high aggregate levels as well as strong start-up levels with a return to similar results when weather became milder after winter dips. Lessons learned include the time needed for behavior shifts and retention and reporting challenges. These preliminary results offer a glimpse of the opportunities for increased physical activity possible with a climate change mitigation strategy of active transportation.