Electric bicycle rebates have gained popularity in North America as a way to promote healthier and more sustainable transportation options. However, the full impacts of these incentives remain unclear. Researchers at UBC’s REACT Lab conducted a study on participants in an e-bike incentive program in the District of Saanich, B.C., to assess the sustainability of new cycling habits and the benefits and cost-effectiveness of these incentives.
The study found that e-bike users continued to regularly use their bikes as a substitute for car travel, even a year after purchasing them. Low-income households benefited the most from the incentives, reducing their car trips and decreasing carbon emissions significantly. The incentives were also found to be a cost-effective way of reducing carbon emissions, with the program offering three different rebates depending on income levels.
Users in the Saanich program displayed a significant surge in e-bike adoption, with a high percentage of new users to e-bikes and cycling altogether. One year after purchase, users reported integrating e-bikes into their routines for three to four days a week and reducing weekly car travel by an average of 48 kilometers. This reduction in car travel led to a decrease in travel-related greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 16 kilograms of CO2 per week.
The incentives had the greatest impact on lower-income groups, with those receiving the largest rebates being more likely to purchase e-bikes. The study showed that the larger incentives aimed at lower-income families were successful in getting new riders on e-bikes and providing them with a lower-cost alternative to using their cars. This highlights the potential for e-bike incentives to promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation among various income groups.
The study also compared the cost-effectiveness of e-bike incentives with electric vehicle (EV) rebates, finding that e-bike incentives were competitive with other transportation subsidies in Canada. The cost of reducing emissions through e-bike incentives was estimated to be between $190 to $720 per tonne of GHG emissions, making them a more cost-effective option compared to EV incentives. This suggests that e-bike incentives have the potential to play a significant role in reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transportation options.
The REACT Lab has expanded its research to study the provincewide e-bike incentive program in British Columbia, allowing for a broader understanding of the factors influencing e-bike adoption. By considering factors such as climate, terrain, and cycling infrastructure, researchers aim to gain more insights into the effectiveness of e-bike incentives in promoting sustainable transportation habits. Overall, the study highlights the positive impacts of e-bike incentives in reducing car travel, lowering carbon emissions, and providing a cost-effective alternative to electric car incentives.
