Positive signs for e-biking: Key findings from German urban mobility study
Comments Off on Positive signs for e-biking: Key findings from German urban mobility studySource: Velobiz
Recently, the Technical University of Dresden published findings from the 2023 “Mobility in Cities” study (SrV), offering in-depth insights into the everyday mobility patterns of urban residents across Germany.
In the research, nearly 900,000 daily travel routes were analyzed across 134 study areas, including around 500 cities and towns, plus 12 broader regions.
Overview of mobility trends
- Compared to 2013 and 2018, mobility among older age groups has increased, while it has decreased among younger and middle-aged individuals.
- Cycling is making gains, increasing its share in the modal split.
- The more frequently people work from home, the less they rely on their cars.
E-bikes: A game changer in rural areas
A standout insight from the study is the growing impact of electric bicycles (e-bikes), especially in rural areas:
- E-bike availability is higher in rural regions: up to 24% in flat areas and 28% in hilly areas of respondents always have access to an e-bike.
- E-bike users travel significantly longer distances than conventional cyclists:
- Urban areas (metropolitan, regional centers): 5.5 km (vs. 3.4 km for regular bikes)
- Medium-sized cities: 7.4 km (vs. 2.8 km)
- Rural/small-town areas: 11.5 km (vs. 3.1 km)
- Older adults are especially likely to use e-bikes.
These findings confirm that e-bikes are expanding the practical reach of cycling, particularly where distances are greater and traditional cycling is less convenient.
Conclusion
The study reaffirms the importance of cycling in Germany’s transport landscape. Many of the elevated usage levels observed during the unusually favorable weather of 2018 were matched or even exceeded in 2023, indicating sustained interest and growth in bike use, including e-bikes.