Replacing 25% of trips under 5 miles with e-bikes would be like taking 338,000 cars off the road

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) recently unveiled an E-Bike Impact Calculator to aid city policymakers and advocates in quantifying the environmental and economic benefits of shifting from short-distance vehicle trips to e-bike journeys. This powerful tool offers a data-driven approach to assess the potential of e-bikes in reducing emissions and improving city mobility.

Cities across the United States are seeking innovative ways to address climate change and transportation challenges. While electric vehicles (EVs) have garnered significant attention as a means to reduce emissions, there’s another, often overlooked solution that could make a substantial impact: electric bikes, or e-bikes.

The E-Bike Impact Calculator analyzes the impact of e-bikes when they replace a significant percentage of short motor vehicle trips, specifically those under five miles. It offers two distinct scenarios:

1. Citywide Impact Assessment: This scenario evaluates the effects of replacing a percentage of short vehicle trips with e-bike journeys over a ten-year period or through an immediate shift.
2. Impact from a City E-Bike Incentive Program: In this scenario, users can input various variables, including budget, timeline, types of e-bikes, and incentives for income-qualified participants, to understand the potential impacts of a proposed program. A recent survey suggest that 50% of Americans would switch to an e-bike with an incentive.

The calculator provides insights into a range of outcomes, including:

• Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Decreases in air pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and carbon monoxide.
• Cuts in vehicle miles traveled.
• Savings for consumers, thanks to lower fuel and maintenance costs associated with e-bikes.

To demonstrate the calculator’s capabilities, RMI conducted an analysis of the potential benefits in the 10 most populous U.S. cities. By replacing 25 percent of short vehicle trips under five miles with e-bikes, the potential outcomes are substantial:

Environmental Benefits: This shift would reduce overall vehicle miles traveled by 3 percent on average across the ten cities, equivalent to removing over 388,000 vehicles from the road.

Economic Benefits: Users could save a combined $91 million every month, primarily due to reduced spending on fuel and vehicle maintenance.

Social Benefits: While not directly measured by the calculator, it’s reasonable to assume that widespread e-bike adoption can lead to improved health and economic mobility. E-bikes can help reduce fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the air, which has positive implications for public health. Additionally, e-bikes offer affordable transportation options, enhancing economic mobility.

The E-Bike Impact Calculator is an invaluable tool for city policymakers, advocates, and stakeholders looking to make data-driven decisions regarding e-bike adoption. It empowers cities to set clear targets and understand how e-bikes can contribute to their climate action plans and equity goals.

E-bikes are not just an immediate solution; they also play a crucial role in long-term emissions reduction. Even in scenarios with aggressive EV adoption, e-bikes can help reduce emissions from short trips and promote public health.

In conclusion, RMI’s E-Bike Impact Calculator serves as a catalyst for change. It encourages cities to invest in safe and connected bicycle infrastructure, promote e-bike adoption, and create more sustainable and thriving communities. This tool represents a significant step towards a future where e-bikes are a central component of urban mobility, reducing emissions and improving the quality of life for all residents.