How do e-bikes compete with the other modes of transport? Investigating multiple dimensions of a modal shift

Figures & data

Table 1. Characteristics of e-bikers compared to residents of Lausanne (source: survey and structural survey).

		% survey	% Lausanne population
Sex	Female	53%	51.7%
	Male	47%	48.3%
Age (from 20)	20–35	22.2%	32.9%
	35–49	41.8%	28.6%
	50–65	29.8%	20.3%
	65 and more	6.3%	18.3%
Education (from 25)	Compulsory school and apprenticeship	20.1%	58.3%
	University or equivalent	79.1%	41.8%

Figure 1. Motivations to buy an e-bike (source: survey).

Table 2. Effects of the subsidy (source: survey).

		The subsidy encouraged me to buy a better performing e-bike (or accessories)
		(Rather) no	(Rather) yes	Total
The subsidy made me decide to buy a e-bike	(Rather) no	25.0%	8.1%	33.1%
	(Rather) yes	34.6%	32.3%	66.9%
	Total	59.6%	40.4%	100%

Table 3. Frequency of e-bike use (source: survey).

Frequency	%
(Almost) everyday	42.1%
Several times a week	35.6%
A few times a month	16.7%
A few times a year	5.0%
Never	0.6%
Total	100%

Table 4. Use of transport modes (source: survey)⁵.

	Commute (job/studies)	Shopping/services	Leisure/visit	Ride (leisure/sport)
Walk	28.2%	51.6%	50.8%	68%
Conventional bicycle	9.5%	8.7%	10.1%	29%
E-bike	78.7%	36.1%	63.1%	68%
Motorized two-wheelers	9.5%	8.3%	10%	3%
Car	31.7%	59.8%	52.9%	37%
Public transport	41.6%	33.7%	51.7%	31%

Table 5. Modes previously used for journeys by e-bike (source: survey).

	Walking	Bike	Motorized two-wheeler	Car	Public transport	New journeys
No	50.1%	72.9%	84.3%	51.7%	35.2%	93.4%
Yes	49.9%	27.1%	15.7%	48.3%	64.8%	6.6%
Total	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%

Table 6. Change in the use of modes since buying an e-bike (source: survey).

	Walking	Bike	Motorized two-wheeler	Car	Public transport
More	5.9%	8.1%	4.2%	2.3%	4.3%
Less	37.5%	46%	23.4%	51.3%	61.1%
No change	56.6%	45.9%	72.4%	46.3%	34.6%
Total	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%

Table 7. Renunciation to the ownership of vehicle/season ticket since buying an e-bike (source: survey).

	Bike	Motorized two-wheeler	Car	Public transport season ticket
No	66.2%	57.1%	81.4%	65.5%
Yes	33.8%	42.9%	18.6%	34.5%
Total	100%	100%	100%	100%