From elements to policies: A Shovian social practice perspective on pathways to facilitate daily E-bike commuting

Sie sind hier: Homepage > Suche

From elements to policies: A Shovian social practice perspective on pathways to facilitate daily E-bike commuting

Schneider, Paul R.

Abstract The rise of pedal-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) has the potential to contribute to reducing ubiquitous automobility and its negative externalities on the global climate, mobility justice and the quality of urban life. But what makes this new practice so successful in recruiting new practitioners? What policies can ensure that e-bikes are used in a wide range of situations, thus substituting as much car driving as possible - or even reducing the number of cars? The study focuses on commuting as this use case frequently entails the main obstacles to e-biking in daily routines (e.g., sweat, weather, transporting children or goods). The analysis is primarily based on interviews with practitioners and initially provides a thorough depiction of the practice elements (meanings, materials and competences) involved in e-bike commuting. It furthermore elicits key drivers of and barriers to daily e-bike commuting, points to a number of elements that are important to overcome these barriers and develops two tangible policy approaches to foster the substitution of e-biking for car driving.

Highlights • Joy & ease of riding give e-biking high potential for voluntary sustainable mobility. • Due to situational barriers, motorization alone is insufficient for daily commutes. • Practice theory enables understanding & addressing situational barriers to e-biking. • The first account on meanings, materials & competences of e-bike-commuting is provided. • Two practice theory based policy approaches for daily e-bike-commuting are presented.