Suggested Citation:
Watkins, Kari, Morgan S. Hughey, William J. Davis, Kweku Brown (2024)

Evaluation of Transportation Network,Route Conditions, and Use Characteristicsof E-Bike Share and E-Scooter Share

Individual MaaS rideshare systems are proliferating across U.S. cities in response to unmet demand for convenient mobility in short distance (3-mile, or less) urban trip making and first-mile/last-mile options for public transit travel. GPS tracking data and transportation network conditions were used to conduct a comparative Geographic Information System (GIS) evaluation focusing on the following objectives: 1.) evaluate differences between traditional bike share, e-bike, and e-scooter share micro-mobility systems with respect to trip making, operation, and user characteristics, and 2.) evaluate differences between traditional bike share, e-bike share, and e-scooter systems in achieving beneficial levels of physical activity and public health outcomes. GPS tracking was used to evaluate MaaS travel modes and examine differences between e-bike share, and e-scooters systems by analyzing trip characteristics and transportation network conditions. GPS data of e-bike and e-scooter trips in Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama, from MaaS systems operated by Gotcha Powered by Bolt were evaluated using six months of data collected during 2021. ArcGIS Pro and ModelBuilder were used to examine route conditions including posted speed limits, bike lanes, and traffic counts determined a Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) measuring comfort level experienced by users along the roadway network. Differences in energy expenditure, perceptions of difficulty, and acceleration between regular bikes and e-bikes in a bike share system were evaluated. Initially, study participants (n=15) underwent a bicycle maximal fitness test, and body composition was assessed. In associated study, two-hour steady-state bicycle rides were conducted at a local park, once on a regular bike and once on an e-bike. Continuous measurements of heart rate and speed were recorded with a heart rate monitor during each ride. Participants reported perceived exertion at four intervals within each ride, along with perceived enjoyment, difficulty, and tiredness at the ride's conclusion. E-bike share rides resulted in lower energy expenditure than regular bike share rides, both falling into the moderate intensity physical activity category, contributing to meeting national physical activity guidelines. E-bikes in bike share systems may be appealing for integrating physical activity into daily routines due to reported lower difficulty and increased enjoyment.