E-bikes

Abstract

This chapter traces the history of the e-bike before giving an overview of the literature on e-bikes. It then draws on research projects the authors carried out in Switzerland to highlight how e-bikes contribute to extend the practice of cycling in terms of population groups and spatial contexts. Bicycles with an electric or gasoline-powered motor have existed since the start of the 20th century. Indeed, soon after the invention of the modern safety bicycle, motorized versions were developed. Much later, in the early 1990s, the first bicycles with an electric assistance delivered while pedaling were invented. The first mass-produced modern e-bike was the Yamaha Pedal-Assist System in 1993 which was marketed to older people. The e-bike makes it possible to overcome some barriers faced by conventional cyclists, such as gradient, physical effort and distance (half of the users of a conventional bike spend 30 minutes or less on their commute both ways, compared to only one-third of e-bikers).

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