Case Study (191 Kb PDF)

Summary

The project "biciclette elettriche" was funded by the local and regional public authority and aimed at providing an economic incentive to private citizens in Verona in order to encourage them to buy electric bicycles, thanks to a specific agreement with local bicycle sellers. The project was aimed at citizens of Verona and the objective was to increase the number of electric bicycles in order that they serve as an alternative to traditional vehicles like motorbikes, especially the two engine models, consequently reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.

From 2002 to 2009 a total amount of 1649 electric bicycles were sold to the citizens of Verona, which means an emissions reduction of pm 10 into the atmosphere, as well as savings for the citizens in terms of fuel and insurance costs.

Results

The purpose of the Satisfaction Survey was to understand the effects of the use of the electric bike, if any problems occurred, to collect advice and to learn about the age and jobs of the beneficiaries of this scheme in 2008 and 2009. It yielded the following results:

• Age group: 65% of the beneficiaries were over 50 years old (64% in 2008), with 15% over 70 years old. The interest in this type of bike is lower among the younger group (20 - 30 years old) while it increases between 30 - 49 years old. The Comune di Verona, Environmental Department asserts that the electric bike helps users maintain their mobility habits especially among older citizens. The programme was shown to also help people with no drivers license maintain their independence from other forms of transportation.
• The number of beneficiaries who answered the survey increased from 33% to 45%. It is assumed that such a result depends on the increase in public awareness and the overall interest in the incentives.
• The frequency of use of electric bikes is high (over 80%); the beneficiaries use traditional motor vehicles (car, bus, motorbike) less after buying an electric bike. The survey also stated that electric bikes have replaced the use of cars more than the use of motorbikes (81% of beneficiaries in 2007 and 71% in 2008 confirm that now they use their car less). If this data is considered together with the high frequency in the weekly use of electric bikes (48% of users in 2007 and 40% of users in 2008 declare that they use their electric bike every day), it can be stated that this project was really successful, both in terms of stimulating the use of electric bicycles and contributing to fewer pollutant emissions.
• The survey confirmed that the most efficient means of communication for this specific project were both advertising in the local newspaper and exchanges of opinion inside social groups. The Internet was not a popular means of communication for this project (perhaps due to the fact that the majority of the beneficiaries were over 50 years old).

Lessons learned and repeatability

The economic incentive granted by the local public authority helped raise public awareness and interest for electric bicycles as an alternative to the traditional means of transportation. The project also encouraged a change in urban mobility habits. In the long term, it will contribute to a reduction of fuel consumption, as well as air and noise pollution. Another positive result was the development of a vendor network, as well as an improvement in the quality of products available on the market.

The local authorities' goal is to increase eco-friendly transportation in urban areas by encouraging bicycle use and developing the urban network of cycling paths. At present, the total cycling surface in Verona is 50 km.

With regard to the repeatability of the project, the procedures that were implemented were fully adopted by the Veneto Region and could easily be repeated. These procedures can also be applied to any kind of eco friendly means of transport.