Economic Evaluation of the Integration of E-Bikes in Sustainable Urban Areas

Abstract

Electrical assisted bicycles (E-bikes) are emerging as a promising and sustainable mode of transport for future smart cities, serving as a foundation to the evolving needs of urban mobility. This research explores the diverse realm of E-bikes, focusing on the motivations and barriers to their widespread adoption, with a specific emphasis on their economic aspects. E-bikes represent a compelling solution to contemporary transportation dilemmas, with the potential to increase accessibility, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance mobility for various populations, including the elderly and disabled. To fully comprehend their potential, this study investigates the four pivotal cost components affecting the integration of E-bikes: capital cost, operational cost, infrastructure cost, and externality cost. Capital costs include the initial investments in E-bikes production and distribution. Operational costs consider expenses related to maintenance and power supply. Infrastructure costs revolve around the development of E-bike friendly infrastructure, while externality costs apply to the broader environmental and health-related impacts associated with E-bike adoption. Through rigorous economic evaluation, this research seeks to quantify these costs and analyze their consequences. By identifying approaches for cost reduction, this study aims to support the integration of E-bikes and promote their wider adoption. The ultimate goal is to make E-bikes more affordable and accessible to a broader demographic, thereby increasing their market size and global market share, by evaluating the costs associated with the integration, adoption, and purchasing of E-bikes. This research intends to provide valuable insights and recommendations to policymakers, manufacturers, and the public, people purchasing and selling E-bikes, facilitating the smooth integration of e-bikes into the urban transportation landscape.