HEaLth iMpact of E-bikes and e-scooTers (HELMET)

Regular physical activity helps to prevent a range of chronic diseases and reduces all-cause mortality. Increased active travel has been associated with higher overall physical activity. While e-bikes are a form of active travel, the level of direct and incidental physical activity associated with e-scooter use is less clear. Both e-bikes and e-scooters may influence active travel behaviour and overall physical activity. In the UK, e-bikes are legal and considered bicycles in the eyes of the law. E-scooters, unless part of a government pilot scheme, are currently illegal and are classed as motor vehicles. The government has extended e-scooter share hire schemes multiple times, citing the need for more information before deciding whether to legalise private e-scooters. The purpose of this project is to understand the impact of e-bike (EB) and e-bike plus e-scooter (EB+ES) share hire schemes on public health, social, economic, and environmental factors. During Autumn 2023, Bristol added e-bikes to their existing e-scooter share hire scheme, and Leeds introduced an e-bike only share hire scheme. We will use a natural experiment design to evaluate these schemes, using a controlled before-after cross-sectional design, with some repeated measures, along with qualitative interviews, with the following research objectives: 1. Examine changes in physical activity and travel mode (modal shift) resulting from the introduction of an e-bike share hire scheme into cities with and without prior e-scooter hire schemes (Work package (WP) 1). 2. Explore users' knowledge, perceptions and use of EB and EB+ES share hire schemes and strategies that could increase use across all socio-economic groups (WP2). 3. Understand the energy demands of using an e-scooter in the context of a share hire scheme (WP3). 4. Estimate carbon savings associated with EB and EB+ES share hire schemes (WP4). 5. Understand collision risks associated with EB, ES and EB+ES share hire schemes (WP5). 6. Assess costs and benefits of EB share hire schemes from a public sector perspective (WP6). 7. Co-produce guidance for policymakers and service providers on the use of e-bike and e-scooter schemes (WP7). We collected baseline data in Leeds (EB) and Bristol (EB+ES) (intervention sites) and Sheffield and Bradford (control sites) in August/September 2023 before the launch of these schemes. We also collected follow-up data in August/September 2024 in all four sites, plus Plymouth (EB) and Bath (EB+ES) for triangulation. This will be a 24-month project starting in January 2025. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) has been integral to the design of this study, with planned PPI input and representation during this project. Two PPI representatives and a local authority transport planner will be part of the research team. Our steering committee consists of academics, PPI members, and members from Sustrans (https://www.sustrans.org.uk/) and an independent local authority. Policy and practice impact will be through a co-produced lay report and policy brief shared with local government, the Department for Transport and via industry platforms. Community engagement will be via an infographic, video and two public dissemination events. Academic impact will be through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Regular physical activity helps to prevent a range of chronic diseases and reduces all-cause mortality. Increased active travel has been associated with higher overall physical activity. While e-bikes are a form of active travel, the level of direct and incidental physical activity associated with e-scooter use is less clear. Both e-bikes and e-scooters may influence active travel behaviour and overall physical activity. In the UK, e-bikes are legal and considered bicycles in the eyes of the law. E-scooters, unless part of a government pilot scheme, are currently illegal and are classed as motor vehicles. The government has extended e-scooter share hire schemes multiple times, citing the need for more information before deciding whether to legalise private e-scooters. The purpose of this project is to understand the impact of e-bike (EB) and e-bike plus e-scooter (EB+ES) share hire schemes on public health, social, economic, and environmental factors. During Autumn 2023, Bristol added e-bikes to their existing e-scooter share hire scheme, and Leeds introduced an e-bike only share hire scheme. We will use a natural experiment design to evaluate these schemes, using a controlled before-after cross-sectional design, with some repeated measures, along with qualitative interviews, with the following research objectives: 1. Examine changes in physical activity and travel mode (modal shift) resulting from the introduction of an e-bike share hire scheme into cities with and without prior e-scooter hire schemes (Work package (WP) 1). 2. Explore users' knowledge, perceptions and use of EB and EB+ES share hire schemes and strategies that could increase use across all socio-economic groups (WP2). 3. Understand the energy demands of using an e-scooter in the context of a share hire scheme (WP3). 4. Estimate carbon savings associated with EB and EB+ES share hire schemes (WP4). 5. Understand collision risks associated with EB, ES and EB+ES share hire schemes (WP5). 6. Assess costs and benefits of EB share hire schemes from a public sector perspective (WP6). 7. Co-produce guidance for policymakers and service providers on the use of e-bike and e-scooter schemes (WP7). We collected baseline data in Leeds (EB) and Bristol (EB+ES) (intervention sites) and Sheffield and Bradford (control sites) in August/September 2023 before the launch of these schemes. We also collected follow-up data in August/September 2024 in all four sites, plus Plymouth (EB) and Bath (EB+ES) for triangulation. This will be a 24-month project starting in January 2025. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) has been integral to the design of this study, with planned PPI input and representation during this project. Two PPI representatives and a local authority transport planner will be part of the research team. Our steering committee consists of academics, PPI members, and members from Sustrans (https://www.sustrans.org.uk/) and an independent local authority. Policy and practice impact will be through a co-produced lay report and policy brief shared with local government, the Department for Transport and via industry platforms. Community engagement will be via an infographic, video and two public dissemination events. Academic impact will be through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.