P.A. Plazier | University of Groningen (original) (raw)
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Papers by P.A. Plazier
The market for electrically-assisted cycling is growing fast. When substituting motorized travel,... more The market for electrically-assisted cycling is growing fast. When substituting motorized travel, it could play an important role in the development of sustainable transport systems. This study aimed to assess the potential of e-bikes for low-carbon commuting by analysing e-bike commuters' motives, travel behaviour and experiences. We GPS-tracked outdoor movements of 24 e-bike users in the Netherlands for two weeks and used their mapped travel behaviour as input for follow-up in-depth interviews. Most participants commuted by e-bike, alternated with car use. E-bike use was highest in work-related, single-destination journeys. It gave participants the benefits of conventional cycling over motorized transport (physical, outdoor activity) while mitigating relative disadvantages (longer travel time, increased effort). The positive experience of e-bike explained the tolerance for longer trip duration compared to other modes of transportation. Participants were inclined to make detours in order to access more enjoyable routes. Results demonstrate that e-bikes can substitute motorized commuting modes on distances perceived to be too long to cover by regular bike, and stress the importance of positive experience in e-bike commuting. This provides impetus for future actions to encourage commuting by e-bike.
This study assessed the benefits and limitations of e-bike use for students participating in a pi... more This study assessed the benefits and limitations of e-bike use for students participating in a pilot in a university
town in the Netherlands. It targets a gap in the literature regarding e-bike use in early adulthood.
Thirty-seven pilot participants completed a survey on their e-bike experiences, and follow-up in-depth
interviews were held with eight participants. Results suggest there is a considerable potential for ebike
use among students. Participants valued e-bike speed, ease of use, the enjoyable experience of
assisted cycling and independency from public transport schedules. Main impediments were the high
costs of e-bikes, which have to compete with low-cost regular bikes and free public transportation.
The study was based on a small, non-representative sample. Self-selection of participants and selfreport
of travel behaviors may have affected the internal and external validity of the results. Yet, the
study offers first insights in the potential for e-bike use among younger populations. The positive attitudes
of students suggest increased acceptance of e-bikes for everyday use, and likelihood of use in later
life. Insights may guide future development of sustainable transport systems in university environments
specifically and society in general. Results reveal a high potential for e-bikes to substitute public transportation
use, but the high purchasing price makes it difficult for the e-bike to compete with other transport
modes.
The market for electrically-assisted cycling is growing fast. When substituting motorized travel,... more The market for electrically-assisted cycling is growing fast. When substituting motorized travel, it could play an important role in the development of sustainable transport systems. This study aimed to assess the potential of e-bikes for low-carbon commuting by analysing e-bike commuters' motives, travel behaviour and experiences. We GPS-tracked outdoor movements of 24 e-bike users in the Netherlands for two weeks and used their mapped travel behaviour as input for follow-up in-depth interviews. Most participants commuted by e-bike, alternated with car use. E-bike use was highest in work-related, single-destination journeys. It gave participants the benefits of conventional cycling over motorized transport (physical, outdoor activity) while mitigating relative disadvantages (longer travel time, increased effort). The positive experience of e-bike explained the tolerance for longer trip duration compared to other modes of transportation. Participants were inclined to make detours in order to access more enjoyable routes. Results demonstrate that e-bikes can substitute motorized commuting modes on distances perceived to be too long to cover by regular bike, and stress the importance of positive experience in e-bike commuting. This provides impetus for future actions to encourage commuting by e-bike.
This study assessed the benefits and limitations of e-bike use for students participating in a pi... more This study assessed the benefits and limitations of e-bike use for students participating in a pilot in a university
town in the Netherlands. It targets a gap in the literature regarding e-bike use in early adulthood.
Thirty-seven pilot participants completed a survey on their e-bike experiences, and follow-up in-depth
interviews were held with eight participants. Results suggest there is a considerable potential for ebike
use among students. Participants valued e-bike speed, ease of use, the enjoyable experience of
assisted cycling and independency from public transport schedules. Main impediments were the high
costs of e-bikes, which have to compete with low-cost regular bikes and free public transportation.
The study was based on a small, non-representative sample. Self-selection of participants and selfreport
of travel behaviors may have affected the internal and external validity of the results. Yet, the
study offers first insights in the potential for e-bike use among younger populations. The positive attitudes
of students suggest increased acceptance of e-bikes for everyday use, and likelihood of use in later
life. Insights may guide future development of sustainable transport systems in university environments
specifically and society in general. Results reveal a high potential for e-bikes to substitute public transportation
use, but the high purchasing price makes it difficult for the e-bike to compete with other transport
modes.