People Preferences Towards Bikes and Electric Bikes in Urban Areas – Case Study for Hungary

In the last decade, innovations in micro-mobility (i.e. lightweight vehicles) have been developing fast. Travellers switch to more efficient, affordable, economical and eco-friendly transport modes as a cultural, habit and policy compliance to reduce the dependence on motorised transport modes. In this research, the behaviour of travellers toward two types of bikes: (1) electric bike (e-bike) and (2) regular bike (bike) is predicted. A mathematical model of transport mode choice is developed using the discrete choice modelling approach based on a stated preference (SP) survey distributed in Hungary. The developed transport choice model includes trip cost, trip time and walking distance to reach the location of bike/e-bike or to reach your destination after parking your bike/e-bike, parking type, economic, sociodemographic and travel variables. The developed model shows that travellers are more likely to choose bikes over e-bikes. Significant variables demonstrate influence on travellers in choosing bikes or e-bikes, such as parking type, which emphasises that free-floating parking is preferred over parking lots. This research adds value to the literature that emphasises the importance of parking type, trip purpose and other sociodemographic variables in choosing bikes/e-bikes in urban areas.