The future of travel
June Shannon reports on the University of Limerick research project that is transforming the future of travel one e-bike at a time
Professor Kerstin Mey, UL President, Dr James Green and Brian Leddin TD at the launch of ISCycle on the UL campus Picture: Alan Place
The future of travel
June Shannon reports on the University of Limerick research project that is transforming the future of travel one e-bike at a time
People who try it are often surprised about how easy it is to bike, especially with an E-bike and how much more range and flexibility they have
Ongoing research has found that almost half of University of Limerick staff who took part in a study which allowed them to borrow an e-bike for several weeks were planning to buy their own bike at the end of the trial period, pointing to the potential of such schemes.
Launched in January 2023, ISCycle (Inclusive e-bike uptake and Sustainable use) is an innovative project that examines how e-bikes can change transport behaviours to improve health and protect the environment.
Funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Department of Transport as part of the SEAI National Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Funding Programme, ISCycle is led by Dr James Green, Associate Professor of Health Psychology, School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, Health Research Institute, UL.
The research team, working across physical activity, health psychology, sustainable engineering and economics, are examining how an e-bike loan could impact the overwhelming dominance of the private car, which accounts for nearly three-quarters of all journeys made in Ireland, according to the 2019 CSO National Travel Survey.
The ISCycle project has been designed as an inclusive cycling intervention. Participants in the study are loaned an e-bike for 4-12 weeks while their use of different transport modes is measured.
Since March last year, a total of 140 UL staff members have signed up to participate in the study. To date, 76 people have completed their e-bike trial with 46 per cent saying that they were planning to purchase an e-bike and a further 36 per cent reported to be still thinking about buying one.
Sustainable Travel
National reports show that most people in Ireland rely on the car for transport, even for short journeys. ISCycle is promoting more sustainable modes of transport in Limerick City, with anecdotal evidence highlighting that several staff members have gone on to buy an e-bike. Future analysis will indicate the full extent of e-bike ownership that can be attributed to taking part in this research project.
ISCycle provides participants with a selection of different e-bikes, including folding e-bikes that can be easily stored inside the home or carried onto public transport, and cargo e-bikes that can be used to transport passengers or groceries.
Study participants are also offered cycling accessories such as raingear, child seats and bike trailers, and cycling skills training is provided.
The research will produce evidence-based guidance on e-bike loans that will be relevant for active travel and sustainable transport policy in Ireland.
According to ISCycle Lead Dr James Green, “People who try it are often surprised about how easy it is to bike, especially with an e-bike and how much more range and flexibility they have.”
Dr Green said that several participants reported that they hadn’t ridden a bike since their school days and that taking part in the study has enabled them to get back into cycling in a way they never expected to.
Milford National School pupils, Stella Green, Carrie Green and Eleanor Foley with Dr James Green at the launch of the project
Improved mental health
The majority of UL Staff who have taken part in the study live within 10 km of the campus, while a number have cycled to and from UL from as far away as Ballina and Killaloe. Others have used their e-bikes for multimodal trips i.e. cycling to the train station near their home, folding their e-bike on the train and then cycling from Limerick station to UL.
For participants living within Castletroy, cycling is often a faster means to get to work. Participants living further away reported that cycling was a more reliable way to get to work, with trips taking the same amount of time each day, whereas the amount of traffic meant driving times were not as predictable. Some participants also said that cycling to work was better for their mental health.
“They found their heads were so much clearer when they arrived at work. Whereas if they've driven to work, they're often not in a good head space. When they got in the door, because they'd been stuck in traffic …frustrated at trying to find a car park, whereas with cycling you arrive and you are ready to start the day,” Dr Green explained.
Recruitment to ISCycle has been climbing slowly, with some staff influenced by seeing other colleagues sign up and deciding to give it a go themselves, while others decided to participate in an act of support for their e-biking colleagues.
Next steps
Commenting on the next steps for the project Dr Green said that recruitment was about to commence among HSE staff working in primary care in Community Health Organisation (CHO) 3 which covers Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary/East Limerick. HSE staff in Castletroy have already been invited to take part he added.
Ideally Dr Green said they would like to have at least 500 participants in total and there are also plans to reach out to local employers near UL to invite their staff to take part.
The ISCycle research study has several aims including to ascertain how long a person needs to borrow or try an e-bike before it has an impact on their long-term travel behaviour and whether or not the uptake in e-bikes has had a discernible impact on the social norms relating to cycling in the local area around UL and if commuter car traffic has reduced.
Taking a circular economy perspective, the study team are also examining the environmental impacts of increased e-bike use, including opportunities for the repair and recycling of e-bikes.
The project will also target direct health benefits through increased physical activity. Assistance from the electric motor on an e-bike can increase opportunities for active travel among people who need to cover longer distances, carry passengers and heavy cargo, or cycle through hilly areas.
“Compared to electric cars, e-bikes are cheaper, more resource efficient, and do not contribute to congestion,” Dr Green added.
“If we replace cars like for like with electric cars, then we still end up with the same level of congestion, so ultimately, we should be looking at trying to get a variety of micro-mobility which includes e-bikes, but also potentially includes scooters and some little covered cars.
“But that I think in the long term we will hopefully move to a pattern where more people. are taking active trips. We have to do it for climate reasons and it’s good for people’s mental and physical health.”
Finally Dr Green paid huge credit to his team of dedicated researchers working on the ISCycle project. They include, Dr Yvonne Ryan-Fogarty, Associate Professor in Environmental Science within the Department of Chemical Science, Professor Colin Fitzpatrick, Professor in the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Professor Catherine Woods, Chair of Physical Activity for Health in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences and Dr Louise Foley, Postdoctoral Researcher in the School of Allied Health.
