Take a Pedelec: Assessing framework conditions for a successful implementation of public sharing systems with pedal electric cycles in urban areas

Résumé:

Global major challenges require the transformation of systems towards sustainability. For transport systems environmental challenges (e.g. adaptation to climate change, scarcity of energy resources), economical challenges (e.g. low costs for mobility), and social challenges (e.g. demographic change, urbanisation) have to be overcome to solve the core problem of sustainable and affordable mobility for everybody. In combination with theses challenges, the automotive paradigm shifts from ownership to flexible use (Canzler and Knie, 2011).
In the transport sector the search for alternatives to conventional vehicles nowadays concentrates on electric mobility. Especially pedal electric cycles (pedelecs) have the potential to close the gap between bicycles and conventional vehicles for short distances in urban mobility systems. Increasing demand for pedelecs in Europe (Zweirad-Industrie-Verband e.V., 2012) prove their potential for market integration. Moreover, providers of services and products from existing systems for bicycles benefit from this development. Especially public sharing systems for pedelecs as innovative urban mobility systems create the link between public and private mobility. In light of the technical progress in this sector pedelecs have a considerable higher potential to replace conventional vehicles for short distances as conventional bicycles.