An Alternative Alternative Transportation

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Turning on the news, you hear of the environmental doom that awaits us. It is your fault after all; the vehicle you drive to and from work is destroying our planet. The social and environmental pressure has become too much. It’s time to give up the car!

 What are your options?

 The average cost of the four most popular electric vehicles is $47,000. That is a hefty price tag  few can justify. Many consumers are waiting for changes in technology and the inevitable decrease in cost. 

 Public transportation is a viable option for many, but isn’t appealing to those who are used to immediate transportation in their private vehicle. According to Forbes, delays and transfer time are the most common reasons public transportation falls short for some. 

 Bicycling is an option. If you’re used to the ease of acceleration in a motor vehicle, the idea of switching to a bicycle as a primary mode of transportation can seem intimidating. The use of a bicycle can also depend on your city’s infrastructure. In cities like Portland, Oregon, there is efficient and effective infrastructure in place to promote the use of  bicycles. This city is ideal for using cycling as a viable replacement to the motor vehicle. The answer to the dilemma of time and activity in this case is the “e-bike.” 

 Electric bicycles offer an environmentally friendly and speedy alternative to more traditional alternative forms of transportation. E-bikes have been around since the late 1800’s. The high cost of the new technology was a deterrent for many would-be riders. Fast-forward to the end of the 1990’s and early 2000’s and we see more e-bikes available with lighter batteries and smaller price tags. Currently the sales of e-bikes has been increasing with a projected 47.6 million bikes sold by the end of this year. 

 The benefit of these bicycles is obviously the electronic motor. For many, the physical exertion of a traditional bicycle is a barrier. The cyclist is able to rely on the motor to maintain their speed without continuously pedaling. This is a benefit when the rider is tired or would like to arrive at their destination without being short of breath, The environment receives its benefits as well because e-bikes do not pollute or produce carbon emissions. This not only improves the air quality but reduces noise pollution and on road congestion. A quarter of riders used their e-bikes to replace a motor vehicle trip. 

 As with traditional bicycles, safety is a key issue when deciding on which mode of transportation to use. If the infrastructure is in place, Portland for example, transitioning to an e-bike is an easy and safe process. Motorists have become accustomed to seeing and operating alongside of bicycles. The familiar form of the common bike, albeit motorized, offers a seamless integration into the transportation network the city has to offer. In fact, 60% of e-bike riders felt they were safer than riding a traditional bike. This is in contrast to other alternatives such as e-scooters which at first seem out of place. E-scooters must fit in existing infrastructure that was made for cycling, which presents a challenge. 

 E-bikes are a viable option for replacing a motor vehicle. The bicycles offer an active transportation experience for the rider, while giving them the option to let the motor do the work. This results in less physical exertion and a more enjoyable experience. The e-bike offers an environmentally friendly alternative to the motor vehicle and has a relatively low social cost on the community in which it operates. Existing infrastructure and a familiar form allow this mode of transportation to easily integrate into the current transportation landscape. 

 Edited by Sarah Friedman 

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