October 10, 2020 - A new study by Portland State University reported in Streetsblog USA shows that a 15% shift to electric bicycles in Portland would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 12%. Supporting the shift is that a stunning 45.6% of U.S. car trips are under three miles (4.8km) in length, according to the most recent National Household Travel Survey, and almost half of those trips are under a mile.

The researchers also looked to the famous 2015 Global High Shift Scenario project, which comprehensively modelled how various bike-promoting interventions would impact mode share, including but not limited to “bike lane network buildout, bike-share programs, implementation of laws that increase cyclist safety, transit investment, land use and transportation planning improvements, elimination of parking and fuel subsidies” and more.

The model found that with investments in all of these areas, the increase in e-bike mode share could jump to 14%—even with fewer e-bikes than what researchers are predicting to be feasible—and save the U.S. $24 trillion by 2050.