Analysis of technology acceptance and planned behavior of using shared E-biked to support the sustainable transportation development goal in smart cities

This study offers a thorough investigation into shared electric bicycles (E-bikes) and their role as a key element in advancing sustainable transportation within smart cities. Previous studies have predominantly employed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) or the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to investigate user acceptance, yet few have integrated both frameworks to explore how environmental objectives-such as net-zero emissions (NZE)-influence behavioral intention in smart cities. To address this limitation, the present study incorporates key variables including subjective norms (SN), perceived usefulness (PU), user attitudes (ATU), and perceived behavioral control (PBC), while introducing NZE as a factor in user behavior analysis. Data were collected from 298 urban residents aged 18-54 via an online questionnaire. Structural equation modeling analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among SN, PU, ATU, PBC, and NZE. The results showed that SN significantly predicted PU, which confirm the strong influence of social factors on user perceptions. PU stands as a mediating variable, and it significantly influenced users' ATU and NZE, which reflected that users highly value the convenience and environmental benefits of shared e-bikes. In addition, PU is a key factor in users' understanding and adoption of NZE, demonstrating that a well-designed shared e-bike system can enhance environmental sensitivity and awareness of green behavior. Furthermore, NZE exerted a significant positive impact on PBC, indicating that greater environmental awareness enhances users' sense of behavioral control, thereby actively motivating them to opt for shared e-bikes. These findings provides empirical evidence and strategic directions for policymakers and urban planners: by strengthening social advocacy, optimizing system usefulness design, and guiding environmental awareness through green policies, cities can more effectively encourage the adoption of shared electric bicycles in smart urban environments.