Understanding e-cycling adoption in the UK

The Department for Transport (DfT) engaged Steer to conduct a national evaluation of a programme designed to boost the uptake of electric cycles (e-cycles) across England. 

The initiative aimed to trial e-cycle loan schemes in five locations—Sheffield, Manchester, Leicester, Luton, and Dunstable – allowing individuals aged 16 and older to borrow an e-cycle for a month at no cost. With a budget of £4.5 million, the programme hoped to encourage e-cycle adoption and explore the benefits these cycles could offer a broader population.

Steer was appointed to evaluate the programme, which included gathering a comprehensive understanding of the effects of the programme and lessons learnt from delivery. 

What we did

Steer began by conducting a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) to inform the evaluation and thoroughly review academic and industry literature on e-cycle usage. 

We then conducted the evaluation, which involved qualitative and quantitative research with scheme participants. We engaged with participants at three stages of the programme:

1. Baseline survey: Before borrowing the e-cycle, participants were asked about their current travel habits and perceptions of e-cycles.
2. Post-pilot survey: After completing their one-month loan, participants reflected on their experience with the e-cycle.
3. Follow-up survey: Three months later, participants were asked if they had changed their travel behaviour, and whether they had purchased an e-cycle or intended to do so.

Key statistics

• Over the delivery period, a total of 3,619 loans and 13,900 training sessions were completed.
• Each participant made, on average, 26 trips during the loan period, with an average distance of 2.6km per trip, and spending approximately two hours cycling per week. 
• Upon return of the loan e-cycle, 7% of survey respondents (n=782) reported that they were now the owner of an e-cycle.
• A further 33% reported that they were now more likely to purchase an e-cycle.
•  The proportion of respondents stating they were ‘likely’ or 'very likely’ to purchase an e-cycle increased from 58% to 72% after training. 

Outcomes

The findings revealed valuable insights for future active travel programmes, particularly those centred on behavioural change.

Contrary to initial expectations of physical health benefits, many participants reported that they predominantly used e-cycles for leisure, reporting mental health improvements rather than physical ones. From telematics and survey data, it is clear that participants frequently used the e-cycles during the loan period, generally to make short trips for commuting or leisure activities or, most often, just for fun.

This evaluation underscored the complexities of behaviour-change schemes. It provided the DfT with key learnings for the design of future e-cycle initiatives, with implications for non-infrastructure-based active travel programmes.

View the full National E-cycle Programme Evaluation Report.

To learn more about our expertise in designing, delivering, and evaluating transport and behaviour change projects, please get in touch with Emma Hanes.