Exploring the built environment’s impact on E-bikes: Longitudinal evidence from the Netherlands

As long-term e-bike data emerges, it has become possible to track the rapid evolution of e-bike travel behavior and its relationship with the built environment over time. This is an essential and timely investigation for policies aimed at stimulating e-bike use. This paper utilizes longitudinal structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the long-term relationship between the built environment and e-bike ownership as well as e-bike travel frequency, while controlling for socio-demographic factors and attitudes. The results indicate a rise in e-bike ownership and more frequent e-bike usage from 2015 to 2021. E-bikes are being adopted more widely across diverse socio-demographic groups. Living in areas with high potential accessibility and high address density leads to higher e-bike ownership and increased travel frequency. Future urban and transport policies are recommended to leverage the growing trend of e-bikes and consider the residential preferences of e-bike users to promote sustainable mobility.