E‑bikes in urban mobility: the local and regional development perspective – a case study of Rijeka, Croatia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24917/20801653.403.2Keywords:
bicycle, cycling policy, e‑bike, economic development, Rijeka, students, tourismAbstract
Electric and e‑bikes are becoming an increasingly popular means of transport, especially in cities with varied topography or over long distances. They make it easier to overcome steep hills and allow for covering greater distances than with a traditional bicycle. Increasing the share of e‑bikes in city residents’ daily mobility can positively impact a city’s development in various way by fulfilling the principles of sustainable transport and driving the local economy. This study aims to assess the role of e‑bikes in local and regional development, using the city of Rijeka as an example. The city is characterised by a mobility culture oriented towards car travel, as well as terrain unfavourable to traditional cycling while the study will consider aspects related to the development of local businesses and tourism in the city in the context of student life. To achieve this, a survey was conducted among economics students at the University of Rijeka. The results indicate that these respondents do not use either traditional bicycles or e‑bikes for urban mobility. The answers however allow us to believe that the surveyed students generally have a positive or at least an indifferent attitude towards the development of e‑bike mobility, but they see the highest potential for e‑bikes in tourism. Respondents are also aware of the barriers to the development of this form of mobility, mentioning problems related to road safety, problems with vandalism, weather and the lack of bicycle infrastructure.
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