Digital commuting: the effect of social normative feedback on e-bike commuting - evidence from a field study

Abstract

As a consequnce of extensive urban growth, local transportation systems are facing enormous challenges, leading to massive investments in infrastructure and travel demand management measures to steer demand for specific travel modes. Meanwhile, technological advancements are creating unprecedented opportunities for collecting and utilizing travel data at previously unknown levels of detail. Such information may in the form of social normative feedback constitute a powerful tool for influncing human behaviour. Focusing on electric bicycles (e-bikes) as potentially central means of future transportation, this study evaluates whether IS-enabled social normative feedback can increase the usage of e-bikes for commuting. The results of a five-week field study and mixed effects logistic regression analysis support a positive impact of social normative feedback on e-bike commuting. We, however, also detect a negative effect on a group of participants with particularly long commuting distances, and effects of weather conditions and commuting distances on e-bike usage. Our findings add to existing research in the areas of travel mode choice, and social norms, and support policy makers in travel demand management. Ultimately, employers may view our findings as a source of inspiration for promoting the health of their employees and increasing the attractiveness of their places to work.

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