Accessibility, Equity, Joy, and Fun: E-bike subsidies can take us there

UBC Prof and Transportation Engineer Dr. Alex Bigazzi explains how e-bike rebate programs are transforming the transportation landscape in BC. Bigazzi has all the data on who gets the subsidies, how the bikes are being used, whether anyone is taking a 'free ride' on the program, and whether e-bikes are actually replacing cars ... or bikes.Dr. Bigazzi also shares how a pioneering subsidy initiative in Saanich paved the way for broader provincial adoption, and which strategies are successfully encouraging people to swap their cars for e-bikes thereby reducing carbon emissions and improving public health. Spoiler alert: it turns out that fun and joy are the key motivators for getting people onto bikes, and keeping them there. SOME HANDY LINKSSaanich results and report: https://reactlab.civil.ubc.ca/saanich-ebike-incentives/The study on micromobility mode shares and speeds in cycling facilities: https://reactlab.civil.ubc.ca/human-electric-hybrid-vehicles/An earlier report on e-bike incentives for Victoria in 2019 that actually led to the Saanich collaboration: https://civil-reactlab.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2021/01/Ebike-Incentive-Program-Development-Victoria_FinalReport_March-2019.pdfSupport the show***********************************************The Bike Sense podcast with Peter Ladner is produced by the BC Cycling Coalition – your voice for safer and more accessible cycling and active transportation in British Columbia. Membership in the BCCC is now FREE! The future of this podcast depends on people like you becoming members at  BCCycling.ca. Please join us.Got feedback or ideas for future episodes? Please drop us an email at [email protected] Sense podcast technical direction and production by Carmen Mills.