Ipsos UK has published a new study revealing British public opinion towards e-scooters. The potential for environmental and cost benefits is well-recognised in the findings, but worries about pedestrian safety are at the fore.
61% of those surveyed agreed that e-scooters have a negative effect on pedestrian safety, and this view is more marked when splitting into an older demographic (81% in the 55-75 age-group) and a younger demographic (43% in the 16-34 age-group and 61% in the 35-54 age-group).
39% see e-scooters as positive for the environment, and 40% are positive about the cost of travel associated with e-scooters.
In the UK, privately-owned e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle paths and pavements. The study posed questions about the potential legalisation of e-scooters in different scenarios; 48% of respondents were in favour of legalising their use on cycle lanes, but there was strong opposition to their use on pavements (62%) and roads (51%).
Ben Glanville of Ipsos said: “Our research highlights a complex relationship between the public and e-scooters. While there’s a clear acknowledgement of the potential environmental and economic benefits, safety concerns, particularly regarding pedestrians, remain paramount. This suggests a need for targeted interventions, such as improved infrastructure and stricter enforcement of traffic laws, to mitigate these risks and unlock the full potential of e-scooters as a sustainable mode of transport.”
Electric bicycle use for commuting is increasing across a broader segment of the Dutch population, with differences among age, gender, education, and income groups gradually narrowing.
This trend is supported by research conducted by Eindhoven University of Technology, based on national travel data collected between 2014 and 2021. While electric bike usage is observed throughout the Netherlands, it is particularly prevalent in rural areas.
The study analyzed data from the “Survey of Travel in the Netherlands” (OViN) and “Underway in the Netherlands” (ODiN), focusing specifically on commuting trips made with various transport modes, including privately owned pedal-assist electric bicycles.
Trends in ownership
The proportion of Dutch households owning an electric bicycle increased steadily between 2014 and 2021, with a noticeable acceleration during the COVID-19 pandemic. E-bike ownership has historically been associated with certain socio-economic characteristics, such as higher income levels and households that also own a car, but these associations have become less pronounced over time. Smaller households continue to show higher rates of e-bike ownership compared to larger households, although this gap is also narrowing.
Geographic location plays a role in ownership patterns. Residents in rural areas are more likely to own electric bicycles compared to those in urban settings. Factors such as the availability of alternative transport options and greater accessibility in cities may influence this difference. Nonetheless, ownership is on the rise across both urban and rural regions.
Commuting patterns
Commuting by e-bike has increased among all age groups. Although the highest usage remains among individuals aged 60 and older, growth is evident among people under 40. This shift may reflect changing perceptions of e-bikes as a suitable commuting option, possibly influenced by the pandemic, which positioned the e-bike as a viable alternative to public transportation.
Differences in usage based on gender and education persist; women and individuals with higher education levels continue to use e-bikes more frequently, but these disparities are also diminishing. Most commuting trips by e-bike cover distances up to 10 kilometers. Usage is less common for routes with high accessibility, though this is becoming a less significant factor over time.
Policy implications
The findings provide insights into the evolving dynamics of e-bike ownership and commuting use, which may support the development of targeted transportation and environmental policies. As e-bikes gain popularity across a wider range of demographic groups, infrastructure developments, such as expanded charging facilities at homes and workplaces, may become increasingly necessary.
Researchers emphasise that e-bikes should no longer be considered a niche form of transport limited to older adults, higher-income households, or specific education levels. Instead, they are becoming a mainstream commuting option. The study also suggests that initiatives to promote e-bike use may yield more impact in rural areas, where both ownership and usage are currently more prevalent.
Speed pedelecs are emerging as a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional automobiles. However, the factors influencing their adoption and use remain largely unexplored.
This presents a challenge for policymakers aiming to develop effective strategies in promoting this transportation model.
Research initiative by UHasselt
To address this issue, Emiel Cosemans, a student of Mobility Sciences at UHasselt, is conducting a study as part of his bachelor thesis. His research focuses on identifying key factors that influence speed pedelec usage in Belgian and Dutch Limburg.
Importance of public participation
The study welcomes input from both speed pedelec users and non-users, as their perspectives provide valuable insights into the broader mobility landscape. By participating in this survey, individuals can contribute to a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with speed pedelec adoption.
How to participate
The survey, which takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, seeks to gather data that will help policymakers make informed decisions regarding the integration of speed pedelecs into urban transportation networks. Participants’ contributions will play a crucial role in shaping future mobility policies and infrastructure improvements.
For those interested in taking part, the survey is available online. By sharing their experiences and views, participants can support efforts to enhance sustainable mobility solutions.
The 2024 edition of the Peoples’ Climate Vote represents the world’s largest independent public opinion survey on climate change
As the second iteration of the survey, the results expand on the 2021 inaugural survey by including over 73,000 participants across 77 countries, covering 87% of the global population. Utilising randomised telephone polling, this edition offered anyone with mobile access the opportunity to share their perspective on climate change, significantly increasing the survey’s inclusivity compared to its first edition, which spanned 50 countries and 17 languages.
The release of the Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024 aligns with a critical period in global climate action and policy development, capturing public sentiment on climate impacts and desired responses from global leaders. In the past year, major scientific organisations have noted that climate change is progressing more rapidly than anticipated, while global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to rise amidst escalating international tensions and conflict. Extreme weather events intensified in 2023, with record-setting wildfires in Canada, catastrophic flooding in Greece, Bulgaria, Türkiye, and Libya, and Cyclone Freddy—recorded as the longest-lasting tropical cyclone—affecting Mozambique and Madagascar. These events impacted every continent, with vulnerable populations experiencing particularly severe consequences, many of whom remain in recovery.
The report’s key findings are structured into four sections:
The Peoples’ Perspective, detailing public experiences of climate change and its impacts on daily life.
The Peoples’ Stocktake, which addresses public perceptions of current climate actions.
Peoples’ Priorities, focusing on the climate initiatives that citizens wish to see from their governments.
Peoples’ Call for Collaboration, outlining public interest in international cooperation on climate action.
This framework aims to support decision-makers by providing a clear understanding of global climate perspectives as countries refine their climate action strategies.
Comments Off on ICE Trikes announces survey for 2024
The recumbent trike brand invites its customers, trike and bike riders, for their invaluable feedback.
ICE Trikes has released its 2024 Survey to learn more about its customers, specifically bike and trike users, and how their needs are evolving over time. Results will be compared to the previous survey, with past feedback having influenced direct changes within ICE and its product offering.
The 2024 survey is anonymous and involves 15 multiple-choice questions with a comment box at the end for optional detailed feedback.
Comments Off on Research reveals low confidence in UK transport sector
Zag Daily reports that a recent study from the Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) has unveiled a significant trust deficit in the British public towards the national government when it comes to making local transport decisions. Only 13% of Britons most trust the national government with this responsibility, while local councils command the confidence of 37% of the populace.
Regarding political parties’ trustworthiness on improving public transport, 33% of the public trust the Labour Party, contrasting with just 13% who trust the Conservative Party. This information emerges in a context marked by increasing political debate around transport issues, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s remarks about a “war on motorists”, the polarizing implementation of low-traffic neighborhoods, and the Mayor of London’s extension of the ULEZ to encompass all London boroughs.
IPPR Senior Research Fellow and co-author of the report, Dr. Maya Singer Hobbs, provided her insights to Zag Daily, critiquing the governmental rhetoric. “Westminster has attempted to divide people into ‘drivers’ and everyone else, but this is not reflective of how people think of themselves,” she said. “Most people who drive will also walk and take the bus or train, or cycle. This also ignores the fact that the transport system as a whole is failing people.”
The report titled ‘Who Gets a Good Deal? Revealing Public Attitudes to Transport In Great Britain’ also highlights that one in five individuals are concerned about affording necessary transport. Moreover, in the past two years, 71% have modified their travel habits to decrease expenses. It identifies that individuals living in rural areas and those on lower incomes are disproportionately affected by the inefficiencies of the UK transport system, whereas those on higher incomes tend to fare better.
Dr. Hobbs expressed the public’s dissatisfaction with the transport system and their high valuation of public transportation: “People agree that transport isn’t working for them, but the solution to this can be found in how highly people rate public transport,” she explained.
The study also reveals that 53% of the population views public transport as essential for getting to work, significantly more than the 20% who consider car ownership necessary. Furthermore, nearly half of the respondents prioritize public transport over having a phone, and 43% rate it as more crucial than internet access.
In light of these findings, as the UK approaches a general election, the IPPR has proposed six transportation priorities for the next government. These include implementing a comprehensive, shared multimodal transport strategy for England and allocating 10% of the transport budget to active travel by 2029. Additionally, the report calls for all buses in urban areas to be electric by 2030 and for a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035.
Dr. Hobbs advocates for a shift in funding strategies: “We would like to see an end to competitive short-term funding and move to longer-term, strategic, single-pot funding which in conjunction with greater devolution will allow mayoralties and local authorities to deliver ambitious transport networks,” she stated. “This funding will help ensure a wider network coverage and maintain an affordable bus fare cap. We would like to see greater powers for local transport authorities to franchise bus networks or deliver municipally owned fleets.”
This comprehensive analysis by the IPPR clearly signals a call for sweeping changes in how transport policies are formulated and implemented, aiming for a system that better reflects and serves the needs of all citizens.
Comments Off on UK data shows majority want increased funding for walking, cycling, and public transport
British charity Sustrans has published its Walking and Cycling Index 2023, revealing that a majority (56%) of people want to see a shift in investment in road building schemes to funding options for walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport
Sustrans’ Walking and Cycling Index 2023 is the largest independent survey of active travel in the UK. With compelling figures, the charity is calling for proper recognition of the public preference for prioritising active travel and public transport. The results also revealed greater public demand for active travel over driving, with 50% wanting to walk more and 43% wanting to cycle more, and third of people wanting to make greater use of public transport. By comparison, just 15% want to drive more. 24% want to drive less.
Sustrans noted that these figures can give confidence to any moves taken by the next government in reaching Net Zero targets, and in hitting government targets of 50% of urban journeys to be walked or cycled in the next six years
Xavier Brice, Chief Executive of Sustrans, said:
“The evidence shows that people want to have the choice to walk, cycle, and use public transport. Moving forwards isn’t about forcing people out of their cars. It is about making it easy for people to travel how they would actually prefer to, which also improves public health, the economy and our environment.”
The wider benefits of active travel
Sustrans’ data shows that, yearly, active travel benefits the 18 Index city economies by £6.1 billion.
And walking and cycling prevents over 21,000 serious long-term health conditions in those same cities.
In addition, journeys walked, wheeled or cycled in 2023 prevented 420,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions entering the atmosphere.
Xavier Brice continued:
“The UK is spending record sums on transport but the message from the public is clear. They want a real choice. They don’t want to be locked into driving a car because there are no other options. We’ve seen real improvement in the cities we’ve surveyed over the last 10 years, but there is a long way to go to make active travel work for everyone. Now the opportunity is for government at all levels to listen to what people want and shift future investment to options that benefit us all.”
What the public wants to see
The Walking and Cycling Index highlights public support for initiatives focused on making it easier for people to get around their neighbourhoods:
65% support banning vehicles parking on the pavement with only 16% opposing
58% support more cycle paths protected from traffic even if this removes space for cars
50% support the installation of School Streets – closing streets outside schools to cars during drop-off and pick-up times. 24% disagree.
Dennis, who lives in Manchester, explained her struggle to travel actively:
“When the children were small I got forced onto the road while they were on the path as there was no space for the wheelchair. I couldn’t see them behind the parked cars. It was very upsetting. Unsafe pavements isolate people in their homes. When I was a manual wheelchair user I couldn’t go anywhere on the pavement. We need to design our neighbourhoods to suit people rather than cars. We should get rid of cars on pavements.”
• 77% of Brits support measures in their local area to encourage cycling and walking. Measures are supported by 6.5 people for every 1 against • 80% of Brits who expressed a preference want the UK’s streets redesigned to protect pedestrians and cyclists from motorists; 51% agree they would cycle more if these changes were made • But campaigners against the ‘green recovery’ have succeeded in forcing U-turns on initiatives to promote active travel • Analysis by prominent environmental psychologist claims data demonstrates people tend to overestimate other people’s opposition to cycling measures • #BikeIsBest spokesperson says “The small minority getting all revved up about their right to drive are having their voices heard through sheer volition. We need local leaders to be bold and secure a better future for the majority.”
23/07/20, London, UK. Latest YouGov research shows the public is overwhelmingly in favour of measures to encourage walking and cycling with 6.5 people supporting changes to their local streets for every 1 person against.
It shows that 70% believe more people cycling would reduce traffic congestion across the country and 65% of all Britons – rising to 80% of those with an opinion one way or the other – want to see British roads redesigned and changed to protect cyclists and pedestrians from cars. These responses are a clear indicator that there is overwhelming support across the country to bring about lasting changes to transport infrastructure which can tackle air pollution and climate change, as well as make streets more pleasant places to socialise and shop.
So far, 89 different local authorities have implemented a total of 503 temporary schemes that make more space for pedestrians and cyclists, according to Sustrans. However, vocal residents and pro-motoring groups have been successful in forcing some local authorities to perform U-turns on their initiatives to enable active travel, despite £250m of funding and statutory guidance issued mandating them to make bold changes that challenge the status quo. For example, in Reigate, Surrey, a pop-up cycle lane, due to be trialled for 3 weeks, lasted just 3 days after pressure from local MP Crispin Blunt MP. Other measures due in Ealing, Wandsworth, South Gloucestershire, Trafford, Portsmouth and Surrey have been reportedly cancelled.
Analysis of the YouGov data by Dr Ian Walker, a prominent Environmental Psychologist at the University of Bath, might even shed some light on why decision-makers are so open to heeding the vocal minority. This showed that people were clearly in support of more cycling in the UK, but at the same time they quite consistently overestimated other people’s opposition to this.
Dr Ian Walker, Environmental Psychologist at the University of Bath, said: “Perhaps one reason negative voices find it so easy to sway things their way is that people have a tendency to misjudge public levels of support. The survey showed that, while most people think Britain would be a better place if more people cycled, they also guessed that other people were less supportive, and more hostile, to the idea than they were.”
The data showed that 3.26 people support the view that “Britain would be better if more people cycled” for every 1 against. But when asked what they thought the opinion of their friends or the general public would be, many respondents drastically overestimated the negativity towards cycling.
The YouGov survey of 2,010 people also showed: • 65% (rising to 79%, when people with no opinion are excluded) believe children should be able to play in the street without danger from cars cutting through. Many councils are planning “Low Traffic Neighbourhoods” to enable this, but these have started to run into exactly the sort of vocal local opposition described above. • 66% (rising to 83% of those with an opinion one way or the other) disagree that there is ‘nothing that can be done to stop people from being harmed by motor vehicles’, showing the public do not see the problems of motoring as a ‘done deal’. • Similarly, 71% (rising to 86% of those with an opinion) disagree that there is ‘nothing we can do to stop people being harmed by air pollution caused by motor vehicles’. • 33% – and 35% of regular car commuters – would use their car less if streets were designed to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe from motor traffic. These values rise to 47% and 46% when people with no opinion are put aside. • 10.6 people support local measures to encourage cycling and walking to each 1 opposed in the 18-24 age bracket, whereas in the 55+ bracket this falls to 4.56 people in favour to each 1 against. • Young people want a future cycling nation: 5.1 people think “Britain would be a better place if more people cycled” in the 18-24 age bracket, for every 1 person opposed.
Adam Tranter, a spokesperson for #BikeIsBest and an active travel campaigner, said: “The small minority getting all revved up about their right to drive are having their voices heard through sheer volition. If the silent majority want to see this new, greener, better Britain, they need to act now or face going back to the old normal, with polluted and dangerous streets.
“When 20mph streets were first proposed, pro-motoring groups were whipped up into a frenzy, just as they are today. In 2017, data showed that the proportion opposed or strongly opposed to residential 20mph limits was just 10%. The same is happening here with measures to enable more people to switch their journeys to cycling and walking.”
He added: “No-one is saying that all journeys can be cycled or walked but many of our towns and cities are experiencing congestion – not because of cycle lanes but because of people using their car for short journeys, often under 2 miles. Local authorities need to stand up and refuse to be bullied into a U-turn on plans to turn Britain into a better place. These are plans the public agree with, so people also need to speak up so their silence isn’t taken as consent to keep our streets dominated by motor vehicles.”
To show local authorities the unmet demand for better cycling infrastructure, the #BikeIsBest campaign has set up an online petition for people to show their support for measures to enable cycling.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2010 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 16th – 17th July 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
BikeIsBest has united over 50 leading cycle brands, retailers and organisations into one powerful voice with a single mission – to get more people riding bikes more often.
The #BikeIsBest campaign has been described as “the most extensive coordinated promotional campaign for cycling since the 1970s”, with #BikeIsBest unifying brands, retailers, organisations and influencers in order to actively promote cycling to a new demographic.
The campaign is also backed by British Cycling, Cycling UK, London Cycling Campaign, Sustrans, The Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) and Wheels For Wellbeing.
Comments Off on Take part in the micromobility and LEV survey by Voylt and UScale
Short online survey to collect data on Light Electric Vehicles with results expected in May
voylt is a European portal for sustainable e-mobility that offers interested parties a wide range of information and intuitive buying advice. Together with market research partner UScale, and with the support of the Federal Association of eMobility e.V. and electric empire (Federal Association of Small Electric Vehicles e.V.), vyolt is conducting a representative survey on the subject of micromobility / LEVs. More specifically, it concerns the large number of low-speed, light electric vehicles (LEV) that are used in urban areas for short distances in private ownership or as sharing offers. The hosts shared, “We want to clear up the myths, fake news and prejudices. What’s really going on out there on the street? In fact, many people only discuss based on assumptions – we want to change that!”
The survey should take 7-10 minutes and you may complete it by following the link below:
