You may have been seen or taken our survey of how you use your e-bike. That’s because Community Cycles received a grant from the State of Colorado to encourage e-bike usage and report back on how we’ve moved the needle in Boulder County. We’ve been collecting data on the survey since 2023, and last week wrapped up the Fall 2024 e-bike survey.
Our latest survey, Fall 2024, centers around encourage commuting and getting around town by e-bike to improve air quality. With Front Range air quality this summer being in the unhealthy range much of the time, that message resonated with people.
While the survey has wrapped up for now, our website contains a range of information for e-bike commuting and articles on safety, locks, a buying guide and more.
We may receive further funding to continue collecting data. If you’d like to be a part of Boulder showing the greater world what we’re doing to move the needle on climate change and moving around by e-bike instead of cars, sign up here. It doesn’t matter if you ride every day or only occasionally.
Survey Data Fall 2024
For those who like to see the numbers, here’s a snapshot from Fall 2024 of how survey respondents are using their e-bikes to replace other modes of transportation, and their impact on CO2 emissions:
The average miles per person by e-bike that they would have previously driven in a car was 115 per month, up from early summer’s 93 mile average. Survey takers rode an average of 5.6 days per week.
A total of 3,297kg CO2 was saved for this time period!
Commuters
67% reported using their e-bike for commuting to and from work. The percentage who commute > 10 miles each way is at its highest point of the last 2 years.
- 14% commute 0-2 miles each way
- 43% commute 3-5 miles each way
- 29% commute 6-10 miles each way
- 6% commute 11-15 miles each way
- 2% commute 16+ miles each way
Social E-Bikers
35% reported only using their e-bike for errands, appointments and social occasions.
- 5% report riding an average of 0-2 miles round trip when they use their e-bike for errands etc
- 40% report 3-5 miles
- 41% report 6-10 miles
- 8% report 11-15 miles
How do you compare? If you need more inspiration to ride more, check out what some of our participants had to say:
Inspiring quotes
- I’m 90. Keeps me young and the car parked.
- After i bought my e-bike used in 2020, I bought a Burley trailer to haul my dog around, make deliveries for Boulder Food Rescue, and do heavy grocery shopping/errands. Basically this replaces a car for any transport between central boulder and Louisville.
- We have carried a week’s worth of groceries on our cargo e-bike, no problem. E-bikes are a great way to get around town because they are so much fun!
- I am an avid cyclist and used to have a bad attitude about e-bikers cheating. Then I had 6 surgeries in 4 years and had to use an e-Bike for exercise. I received a voucher from City of Boulder and bought my 1st e-Bike Sept. 2023. Now I’m hooked and have becomes an e-Bike proponent and safety advocate.
- how I use my e-bike to commute: ride to work with assist so as to not sweat, then ride home unpowered for a great workout.
- I’ve taken my long range ebike all the way to Red Rock and back. It’s a fun workout and the speed boost from the bike allows the ride to be about only an hour. Such a nice feeling to bike all the way to the bike racks at Upper North lot, dance the night away, then bike back without waiting in the long line of cars trying to leave. (note from administrator: this is 25 miles each way)
- My E-bike makes commuting from the mountains sustainable, fun, and convenient. I arrive at each end of the commute in a much better mental state than if I had driven my car. And, with a cargo bike, I can shop for groceries on the way home with no problem. Love it.
- I cycle 44 miles on average to commute and it is really nice to see the Rockies every morning when I head to work. Makes me love where I live.