Usage Patterns of Electric Bicycles: An Analysis of the WeBike Project

This paper presents an analysis of data collected through the Waterloo WeBike project: a field trial in which over 30 sensor-equipped electric bicycles (e-bikes) were given to members of the University of Waterloo for personal use. Our dataset includes e-bike trips and battery charging sessions span...

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Main Authors: Christian Gorenflo, Ivan Rios, Lukasz Golab, Srinivasan Keshav
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Journal of Advanced Transportation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/3739505
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author Christian Gorenflo
Ivan Rios
Lukasz Golab
Srinivasan Keshav
author_facet Christian Gorenflo
Ivan Rios
Lukasz Golab
Srinivasan Keshav
author_sort Christian Gorenflo
collection DOAJ
description This paper presents an analysis of data collected through the Waterloo WeBike project: a field trial in which over 30 sensor-equipped electric bicycles (e-bikes) were given to members of the University of Waterloo for personal use. Our dataset includes e-bike trips and battery charging sessions spanning nearly three years, from summer 2014 until spring 2017. We also conducted three surveys both before and during the trial. Our main findings were that the primary purpose of the e-bikes in our trial was for commuting, with most trips lasting less than 20 minutes and most trips taking place in the summer months. Our battery charging analysis revealed no evidence of range anxiety, and our analysis of survey results showed little correlation between anticipated and actual use. Furthermore, when asked about their opinions about various modes of transportation, our participants rated regular bicycles higher than e-bikes even after becoming familiar with e-bikes through the field trial. Based on our analysis, we draw several conclusions, including the fact that the general population in Canada is still unaware of e-bikes and their potential. Moreover, e-bike manufacturers should target sales to nonbike users, such as seniors, rather than trying to displace sales of regular bicycles.
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spelling doaj-art-21dcc0f3fb0046e09126ecfea9e34cf32025-08-20T03:54:42ZengWileyJournal of Advanced Transportation0197-67292042-31952017-01-01201710.1155/2017/37395053739505Usage Patterns of Electric Bicycles: An Analysis of the WeBike ProjectChristian Gorenflo0Ivan Rios1Lukasz Golab2Srinivasan Keshav3University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, CanadaUniversity of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, CanadaUniversity of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, CanadaUniversity of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, CanadaThis paper presents an analysis of data collected through the Waterloo WeBike project: a field trial in which over 30 sensor-equipped electric bicycles (e-bikes) were given to members of the University of Waterloo for personal use. Our dataset includes e-bike trips and battery charging sessions spanning nearly three years, from summer 2014 until spring 2017. We also conducted three surveys both before and during the trial. Our main findings were that the primary purpose of the e-bikes in our trial was for commuting, with most trips lasting less than 20 minutes and most trips taking place in the summer months. Our battery charging analysis revealed no evidence of range anxiety, and our analysis of survey results showed little correlation between anticipated and actual use. Furthermore, when asked about their opinions about various modes of transportation, our participants rated regular bicycles higher than e-bikes even after becoming familiar with e-bikes through the field trial. Based on our analysis, we draw several conclusions, including the fact that the general population in Canada is still unaware of e-bikes and their potential. Moreover, e-bike manufacturers should target sales to nonbike users, such as seniors, rather than trying to displace sales of regular bicycles.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/3739505
spellingShingle Christian Gorenflo
Ivan Rios
Lukasz Golab
Srinivasan Keshav
Usage Patterns of Electric Bicycles: An Analysis of the WeBike Project
Journal of Advanced Transportation
title Usage Patterns of Electric Bicycles: An Analysis of the WeBike Project
title_full Usage Patterns of Electric Bicycles: An Analysis of the WeBike Project
title_fullStr Usage Patterns of Electric Bicycles: An Analysis of the WeBike Project
title_full_unstemmed Usage Patterns of Electric Bicycles: An Analysis of the WeBike Project
title_short Usage Patterns of Electric Bicycles: An Analysis of the WeBike Project
title_sort usage patterns of electric bicycles an analysis of the webike project
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/3739505
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AT srinivasankeshav usagepatternsofelectricbicyclesananalysisofthewebikeproject