Work

How Can E-Bikes Accelerate X-Minute City Transitions? User Preferences, Adoption Patterns, and Associated Factors in the Global South

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: E-bikes are emerging as a competitive alternative to private cars in both urban and suburban contexts, enhancing accessibility to daily amenities and aligning with the proximity-oriented principles of X-minute city development. However, empirical knowledge remains limited regarding e-bike adopter profiles, trip purposes, influencing factors, and modal substitution patterns, particularly in urban Global South contexts. This exploratory pilot study employs correlation analysis and exploratory factor analysis to examine the sociodemographic characteristics of e-bike users in Surabaya, identify trip behavior patterns, and uncover potential determinants associated with e-bike usage within the X-minute city framework. Based on a sample of 71 e-bike users, the preliminary findings reveal notable socioeconomic patterns in e-bike adoption, with lower-income inner-city residents, particularly women in informal employment, emerging as early adopters. Additionally, two potential influence dimensions are identified: utilitarian trip chaining and active mobility infrastructure. While these findings require validation through larger-scale studies, they suggest potential for e-bikes to expand feasible X-minute city catchments and support low-carbon mobility transitions in similar Global South contexts.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su18010358

Authors: Ilman Harun, Prananda Navitas, Holy Regina Hartanto, Tan Yigitcanlar

Institutions: Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Queensland University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Urban Transport and Accessibility

Subfield: Transportation

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896