The Future of E-Bikes on Public Lands: How to Effectively Manage a Growing Trend

Chiarenza, Jonah; Berg, Ian; Calabrese, Clark; Flynn, Daniel; Ledvina, Kirby; Rasmussen, Ben; Rittmuller, Robert; Rodriguez, Michael; Young, Jared

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The Future of E-Bikes on Public Lands: How to Effectively Manage a Growing Trend

2022-11-01
By Chiarenza, Jonah ; Berg, Ian ; Calabrese, Clark ; ...

File Language:

English

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Creators:

Chiarenza, Jonah ; Berg, Ian ; Calabrese, Clark ; Flynn, Daniel ; Ledvina, Kirby ; Rasmussen, Ben ; Rittmuller, Robert ; Rodriguez, Michael ; Young, Jared
Corporate Creators:

John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Contributors:

English-Young, Seth ; Bash, Roxanne
Corporate Contributors:

United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Western Federal Lands Highway Division
Subject/TRT Terms:

Bicycles Bikeways Human Factors Public Land Trails
Publication/ Report Number:

FHWA-FLH-23-005
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Right Statement:

Public Domain
Geographical Coverage:

United States
Edition:

Final Report
Corporate Publisher:

United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
Abstract:

Electric-assist bicycles (e-bikes) are growing in popularity, and their use has increased on public lands managed by federal, state, and local agencies. Evaluation of e-bike use on public lands is hindered by a dearth of scientific research. This paper presents the results of a human factors field study that evaluated participant speed and behavior on an unpaved, multiuse trail to answer research questions about trail user safety and social interaction. The study concludes that e-bike riders travel approximately one to two mph faster than conventional bike riders on average, but that individual speeds among conventional and e-bike riders are largely distributed and overwhelmingly overlap. The study also found conventional and e-bike riders generally reduce speed in areas of potential conflict and exhibit similar precautionary behaviors when passing other trail users and crossing trail junctions and vehicle paths.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

Intra-Agency Agreement 69056720N300012, HW72B120
Collection(s):

Federal Lands Federal Highway Administration
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:a4b1b73308d3e14c8aec9c6bfb1ee3061bd2cec3bc2d9ad976533ccb8440e93a8ca20f19a9ccb7bb1ec82e0b77099d87bcece36180700f2a85aa4cab092c2ca3
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/76561/dot_76561_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 2.51 MB ]

File Language:

English

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