Spatiotemporal variability and prediction of e-bike battery levels in bike-sharing systems

Abstract Bike Sharing Systems (BSSs) play a crucial role in promoting sustainable urban mobility by facilitating short-range trips and connecting with other transport modes. Traditionally, most BSS fleets have consisted of mechanical bikes (m-bikes), but electric bikes (e-bikes) are being progressiv...

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Main Authors: Aleix Bassolas, Jordi Grau-Escolano, Julian Vicens
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88952-y
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author Aleix Bassolas
Jordi Grau-Escolano
Julian Vicens
author_facet Aleix Bassolas
Jordi Grau-Escolano
Julian Vicens
author_sort Aleix Bassolas
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Bike Sharing Systems (BSSs) play a crucial role in promoting sustainable urban mobility by facilitating short-range trips and connecting with other transport modes. Traditionally, most BSS fleets have consisted of mechanical bikes (m-bikes), but electric bikes (e-bikes) are being progressively introduced due to their ability to cover longer distances and appeal to a wider range of users. However, the charging requirements of e-bikes often hinder their deployment and optimal functioning. This study examines the spatiotemporal variations in battery levels of Barcelona’s BSS, revealing that bikes stationed in the city’s expansion area (Eixample) tend to have shorter rest periods and lower average battery levels. Additionally, to improve the management of e-bike fleets, a Markov-chain approach is developed to predict both bike availability and battery levels. This research offers a unique perspective on the dynamics of e-bike battery levels and provides a practical tool to overcome the main operational challenges in their implementation.
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spelling doaj-art-e5f8909aba204a31b1d2871cc26d981d2025-08-20T03:53:12ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-88952-ySpatiotemporal variability and prediction of e-bike battery levels in bike-sharing systemsAleix Bassolas0Jordi Grau-Escolano1Julian Vicens2Eurecat, Centre Tecnològic de CatalunyaEurecat, Centre Tecnològic de CatalunyaEurecat, Centre Tecnològic de CatalunyaAbstract Bike Sharing Systems (BSSs) play a crucial role in promoting sustainable urban mobility by facilitating short-range trips and connecting with other transport modes. Traditionally, most BSS fleets have consisted of mechanical bikes (m-bikes), but electric bikes (e-bikes) are being progressively introduced due to their ability to cover longer distances and appeal to a wider range of users. However, the charging requirements of e-bikes often hinder their deployment and optimal functioning. This study examines the spatiotemporal variations in battery levels of Barcelona’s BSS, revealing that bikes stationed in the city’s expansion area (Eixample) tend to have shorter rest periods and lower average battery levels. Additionally, to improve the management of e-bike fleets, a Markov-chain approach is developed to predict both bike availability and battery levels. This research offers a unique perspective on the dynamics of e-bike battery levels and provides a practical tool to overcome the main operational challenges in their implementation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88952-yBike-sharingHuman mobilitye-bikes
spellingShingle Aleix Bassolas
Jordi Grau-Escolano
Julian Vicens
Spatiotemporal variability and prediction of e-bike battery levels in bike-sharing systems
Scientific Reports
Bike-sharing
Human mobility
e-bikes
title Spatiotemporal variability and prediction of e-bike battery levels in bike-sharing systems
title_full Spatiotemporal variability and prediction of e-bike battery levels in bike-sharing systems
title_fullStr Spatiotemporal variability and prediction of e-bike battery levels in bike-sharing systems
title_full_unstemmed Spatiotemporal variability and prediction of e-bike battery levels in bike-sharing systems
title_short Spatiotemporal variability and prediction of e-bike battery levels in bike-sharing systems
title_sort spatiotemporal variability and prediction of e bike battery levels in bike sharing systems
topic Bike-sharing
Human mobility
e-bikes
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88952-y
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AT jordigrauescolano spatiotemporalvariabilityandpredictionofebikebatterylevelsinbikesharingsystems
AT julianvicens spatiotemporalvariabilityandpredictionofebikebatterylevelsinbikesharingsystems