E-bikes and travel behavior change: systematic review of experimental studies with meta-analyses

Transitioning from private cars to active transport modes is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting physical activity. Electrically assisted bicycles (e-bikes) can play a key role in this shift. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines quasi-experimental and experimental studies on the impact of e-bike acquisition on travel behavior changes in terms of distance and mode share. Ten Northern European studies were included. Results show that e-bike access leads to significant behavior shifts, with participants traveling 5 km more per day by e-bike, increasing e-bike mode share by 26%. E-bikes also substitute other transport modes, particularly private cars, reducing car use (not-significant) by 2.4 km per day and decreasing car mode share by 10%. Baseline travel behaviors seem to influence the modal shift, with e-bikes often replacing the most common mode. These findings provide new evidence on e-bikes as a competitive alternative to cars.