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E-bike Lending Libraries: Trends and Practices in The United States
Principal Investigator:
John MacArthur, Portland State University
Summary:
E-bike lending libraries are emerging as a potential tool to promote sustainable transportation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance mobility equity across communities in the United States. By offering residents the opportunity to borrow e-bikes for periods ranging from a couple of hours to several months, these programs help address barriers to e-bike ownership, such as high initial cost...
E-bike lending libraries are emerging as a potential tool to promote sustainable transportation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance mobility equity across communities in the United States. By offering residents the opportunity to borrow e-bikes for periods ranging from a couple of hours to several months, these programs help address barriers to e-bike ownership, such as high initial costs, limited riding experience, a vehicle for special purposes, and the need for daily utility. E-bike lending libraries aim to familiarize users with the potential of e-bikes to increase mobility options or replace car trips, thereby reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and advancing city and state climate goals. Key Features of E-Bike Lending Libraries E-bike lending libraries operate under three main models: community resource libraries, rideto- purchase programs, and long-term access programs. Community resource libraries prioritize providing free or low-cost e-bikes as shared transportation assets, often targeting underserved populations. Ride-to-purchase programs focus on encouraging eventual e-bike purchases by offering users the chance to test various models and explore financial incentives, such as rebates. Long-term access programs, often subsidized by grants, lease e-bikes at below-market rates to community members, enabling them to integrate e-bikes into their daily routines over extended periods. These programs vary in scale, ranging from small initiatives run by local libraries to multi-community efforts supported by non-profits, local organizations, and state agencies. This program scan identified 54 e-bike lending libraries in the United States.
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Project Details
| Project Type: | Research |
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| Project Status: | In Progress |
| End Date: | April 01, 2025 |