Light electric vehicles (LEVs) are an emerging new class of vehicles that can create shifts in urban mobility with widespread impacts. Recently referred to as micromobility devices they've disrupted urban transportation systems in many cities.
LEVER is a consortium of researchers aiming to answer several research questions about the role of Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) in the transport system.
Recent Stories
Two new e-bike white papers (May 2019) from LEVER researchers can be downloaded at TREC website:
This white paper explores existing literature on e-bike and related conventional bike incentive programs. Web searches using Google and the TRID database were performed to obtain studies and program information pertaining to incentive strategies. In addition, best practices and lessons learned from select programs within the United States were obtained through phone and email correspondence with program organizers. The goal of this white paper is to provide policymakers, agency leads, and local community leaders with a range of techniques to develop and structure e-bike incentive programs to help meet single occupancy vehicle (SOV) and vehicle miles travelled (VMT) reduction objectives.
This white paper explores the potential e-bike effect on person miles traveled (PMT) and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in terms of CO2 for varying levels of e-bike mode share replacement. A model for PMT shift and GHG reduction potential is created for Portland, Oregon. Portland was selected for analysis because of the availability of regional transportation data, the extensiveness of the city’s bike network that would lend itself to e-bike uptake, and the authors’ familiarity with the city
What's that on the Sidewalk?!? at Transportation Research Board Meeting
What's that on the Sidewalk?!?. TRB is a big time for LEVER researchers, coming from around to world to convene in Washington DC. We're organizing a workshop focused on gadgets you might find on your nearest sidewalk, mostly stationless bikes or e-scooters. The half day workshop includes panels from top industry operators, data aggregators, city government representatives, and stakeholder groups. By the end we'll focus a research agenda to move forward. Come to the workshop: Sunday Jan 13. Room 102B, Convention Center, Washington DC.
Our subcommittee on Emerging Vehicles for Low Speed Transportation will meet Tuesday Jan 15 (3:45-5:30). Marquis Ballroom Salon 4 (M2), Marriott Marquis.
LEVER researchers John MacArthur and Chris Cherry published the largest and most comprehensive e-bike user survey in North America. This work provides strong new insights into the roles e-bikes play in urban transportation systems. Some of the most important findings highlight that e-bikes cause large shifts away from personal car trips and displace motorized vehicle miles. People who use e-bikes travel farther and more often by e-bike than formerly by bicycle. This project was funded by Portland State's NITC, People for Bikes and the Bicycle Product Supplier Association. Download 2018 E-bike Study published through the NITC here.
Cherry and Macarthur Lead SAE Micromobility Standards Committee
What is a "scooter"? The Society of Automotive Engineers is moving toward developing standards for micromobility devices as part of their initiative to focus on mobility systems. They have tapped Cherry and Macarthur to lead the committee that consists of industry and other stakeholder groups. We aim to dig into standards development for this quickly emerging sector.