Effectiveness of Free Bikes and E-Bikes for Commute Mode Shift: The Case of Google’s Lending Program

Abstract

In 2015, Google began a new transportation demand management program designed to increase bike commuting to their two main corporate campuses in Mountain View and Sunnyvale, CA, United States by lending conventional and electric assisted bikes to employees at no cost to them. Following the lending period, Google incentivized bike purchases, among many other program co-benefits to increase bike commuting. Using a series of bivariate and multivariable analyses, we estimate the program led to average bike commute increases of approximately 1.7–2.3 days per week, roughly a tripling of prior bike commute rates for participating employees. After the program, bike rates of participants diminished slightly, but were still greater than baseline (increase of 1.3–1.9 days per week). Furthermore, nearly all the increases in bicycling are likely attributed to decreases in single occupancy vehicle (SOV) commuting. This study offers a first look at the potential for bike lending as a transportation demand management strategy for large employers in suburban settings which can help other employers design their own programs.

Impacts of e-bike ownership on travel behavior: Evidence from three northern California rebate programs

“…Why are financial incentive programs supporting the purchase of e-bikes rather than non-electric bikes? This is partly because evidence from many studies has indicated that e-bikes, more so than non-electric bikes, replace car travel (Fitch, 2019). However, e-bikes have also been promoted by financial incentive programs as more people can use them for more trips than regular bikes.…”

“…Providing financial incentives such as rebates will help with adoption, but other research suggests parallel strategies are needed for more widespread increases in bicycling. Particularly infrastructure investment and programs to increase experience and knowledge of e-bicycling are important for promoting e-bikes (Fitch, 2019). In this way, e-bikeshare services can be particularly valuable for giving people the chance to try e-bikes before deciding whether to purchase one .…”