Extending the practice of cycling: Policy recommendations to increase e-bike use

Extending the practice of cycling

Behavioural Insights for Policy series: Policy recommendations 

Year: 2025 

Topic: Sustainable mobility

Methodology: Research synthesis 

Author: SEAI Behavioural Economics Unit  

Summary 

A major stated climate policy goal is to encourage and facilitate members of the population to use sustainable transport modes instead of the private car. In light of revised climate action policy targets to reduce total car kilometres travelled by 20% and increase daily active travel journeys by 50% in Ireland by 2030, the promotion and proliferation of e-bikes and e-cargo bikes (both owned and shared) as a feasible alternative the private car has been highlighted. In particular, measures have been proposed to enable increased access and ownership of e-bikes and e-cargo bikes as a private car alternative for Irish citizens.

The policy recommendations in this summary report are derived from a comprehensive literature review of international social science and transport-related academic research evidence.