Women’s views of electric bicycles: A qualitative study in Perth, Western Australia

Raj P Kandiah

The primary aim of this research is to understand what women think of their electric bicycles (e-bikes), why they purchased them, how they use them and what they use them for, and what would make them, and other women, use them more. Using an in-depth interview approach, the views of eight existing women e-bike riders in Perth, Western Australia, were canvassed in May 2023 and analysed to determine the main themes and draw conclusions. E-Bikes are battery powered bicycles that assist with pedalling, come with a throttle, or in some cases have both throttle and pedal assist. Whatever the case, a small motor engages and gives riders a boost, up hills, into the wind, or simply to reduce exertion. They are part of the personal e-mobility revolution that in many cases is replacing driving a car. A review of the literature revealed women enjoy using e-bikes as a viable alternative transport to cars and public transport. They see them as playing a key role in the transition to a low-carbon, healthy, transport mode, and appreciate the convenience of traveling longer distances whilst arriving fresh and unharried. There are, however security, safety and infrastructure concerns expressed regarding the use of e-bikes. There is also a dearth of Australian research on women’s use of e-bikes and hence the primary research in this thesis is timely. The interviews with women e-bike riders in Perth revealed that commuting and convenience as well as health and well-being, were two of the most mentioned themes, and all participants highlighted the pleasure and joy that they experience when riding their e-bike. Participants expressed a strong preference for e-bikes as a more environmentally friendly form of transportation that has the added benefit of providing exercise and health benefits whilst avoiding the hassles, and costs, of traffic and parking. Participants discussed their previous personal experience and the recommendations of others when purchasing e-bikes, and emphasised the importance of trying different bikes and shopping locally to benefit from expert advice. E-Bike technology such as battery size, leading to ‘range anxiety,’ speed limitations and the power of motors were all features that raised concerns with the participants. Security, and the fear of theft, as well as their cost and affordability, were also factors emphasised that had the potential to restrict wider adoption of e-bikes. The fact that e-bikes can easily accelerate in traffic was described as a positive feature, however the lack of e-bike specific infrastructure, such as public charging points, was also mentioned as a barrier to greater use. This research finds that reviewing the merits and risks of increasing the speed limit of e-bikes, to align with standards in the United States and Canada, could be considered. Exploring and developing new technologies to improve bicycle security and assessing the most efficient ways of providing subsidies or rebates for e-bike purchases or subscription schemes, especially for those who could benefit the most, would help reduce barriers to greater e-bike utilisation. Developing a comprehensive and accessible “Women’s guide to e-bikes,” published by a trusted source, could provide valuable information to an inexperienced purchaser. This study recommends that city planners and policy makers prioritise e-bike friendly infrastructure and other initiatives that support the growing popularity of e-bikes and encourage more women to enjoy the ‘joy of riding’ and use them as a mode of transport.

Women’s views of electric bicycles: A qualitative study in Perth, Western Australia

Files and links (1)

Abstract

Details

Metrics