The Future of E-Bikes on Public Lands 

Date and Time: 8/31/2022
Location: Tamarack

Presenter: Seth English-Young, Community Planner, Federal Highway Administration-Western Federal Lands

  

 

 

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION

E-bikes use has increased significantly and the e-bike market is expected to grow by nearly 230% by 2030 (Precedence Research). Federal, state and local land management agencies across the United States are adapting policies and regulations for the growing use of e-bikes on public lands.

This research effort led by Federal Highway Administration and USDOT Volpe Center undertook an extensive literature review to determine the state of research on e-bikes relating to four research focus areas:

(1) Ecological, Cultural, and Historical Resources

(2) Safety

(3) Social

(4) Process for E-Bike Management

The presentation will outline key findings in the four focus areas, and describe the gap analysis identifying areas for further research where the current body of knowledge is lacking.

The presentation will also describe the field experiments to be conducted at Minute Man National Historic Park (Spring/Summer 2022-early findings expected prior to TOTT conference) that will generate novel data on e-bike rider behavior and interaction with other public lands users. The field trial will mount 360-degree cameras on traditional and e-bike cyclists’ handlebars and helmet to record glance behaviors, speed, and the environment around the cyclists throughout the duration of their trip.

The field study will provide findings regarding three hypotheses:

(1) Average trip length and duration will be longer for e-cyclists than conventional cyclists;

(2) Higher average speed will result in e-cyclists engaging in more frequent behaviors that could impact their and other users’ safety and comfort;

(3) E-cyclists’ and conventional cyclists’ behaviors will change with respect to each other as a function of: terrain, slope, trail width, and the mode and direction of travel of other public lands users nearby.

The presentation will conclude with a discussion of potential methods and priorities for filling the gaps in collective understanding and how the research could be used.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY

Jonah Chiarenza is a transportation planner with over 15 years of experience in public, private, and non-profit planning, design, and engineering disciplines. Jonah develops strategies for national policy, conducts research on innovative transportation data, design, and communication solutions, and leads projects to develop site-specific infrastructure and operations improvements for local and regional transportation challenges.

Jonah’s work for public lands includes leading innovative solutions in asset management, including deferred maintenance, alternative transportation research and design concept development, mobile device data research and applications, performance-based planning, and research on e-bikes. Jonah holds a Master of Urban & Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis.