Oregon Universities to Research e-Bike Usage in Portland

This applied research study will team Conscious Commuter with Portland State University researchers to (1) understand people’s perceptions and attitudes of e-bikes; and (2) evaluate the use of e-bikes by study participants in the Portland Metro region and determine if these bikes could encourage new electric bike users.

 
This research examines the behavioral decisions behind electric bicycling, which is critical in increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of this new technology for non-auto mode of transportation. By highlighting operational, infrastructure and behavioral decisions associated with e-bike use, this project may identify design modifications, educational and marketing needs, and infrastructure support to facilitate the safe and effective integration of electric bicycles into the transportation system.

Bob Vander Woude, President and CEO of Conscious Commuter stated, “We are thrilled to be working with the team at Portland State University’s OTREC to better understand e-bike early adopter decision making, user behavior and interest. These awards from Drive Oregon and NITC will provide Conscious Commuter with valuable data to support our continuing research and development efforts to provide fleet solutions as part of a seamless transportation system.”

Conscious Commuter will make available 30 of its full frame electric bicycles that are being developed as part of the company’s efforts to provide electric bike share fleet solutions to corporate and university campus and municipalities.

“Our goal is to re-acquaint everyone with the joy of the daily commute, wherever it may take you – to the office or to the market, or in a campus environment,” said Gabriel Wartofsky, Co-founder and CTO. “Our participation in this research will further assist us in creating desirable, elegant and responsible mobility solutions that empower commuters to diversify the way they get around.”

The research project commences in November  2012, with completion scheduled for November 2013.

Conscious Commuter Corporation is helping shape the future or urban mobility by solving the first and last mile commute problem. Conscious Commuter’s lightweight, intuitively folding electric bike takes people to the nearest bus stop, car-share, rail station, or even their destination without a sweat.

Conscious Commuter’s vision includes a patent-pending multi-modal public transportation system integrating its bike with a smart bus hub network to increase both efficiency and desirability of public transportation.

OTREC is a national University Transportation Center and a partnership between Portland State University, the University of Oregon, Oregon State University and the Oregon Institute of Technology. They sponsor research and education to meet the sustainable transportation needs of the Northwest and the nation and encourage leaders to put research results to use.

Drive Oregon is a non-profit public-private partnership with diverse membership from across the range of companies and organization involved in electrifying the transportation system. Drive Oregon is funded in part with Oregon State Lottery Funds administered by Business Oregon. Drive Oregon’s mission is to promote, support, and grow the electric vehicle industry in Oregon. More information is available at http://www.driveoregon.org.

About National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC)
The National Institute for Transportation and Communities, or NITC, is a program of OTREC at Portland State University and one of 22 university transportation centers designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Portland State leads the program in partnership with the University of Oregon, Oregon Institute of Technology and the University of Utah.

NITC research and education support livable urban communities of all sizes, motivated by a vision of transportation fostering larger social and economic goals: improving health and safety for all users; increasing the efficiency and understanding of cycling, walking and transit; making the best use of data, performance measures and analytical tool; integrating multimodal transportation with land use; and taking long-term action on transportation emissions and climate change.

Achieving this vision requires research that provides decision makers with better data and information systems and measures of system performance. NITC also strives to encourage meaningful public involvement that engages residents in decisions that affect their lives.

Conscious Commuter is a trademark of Conscious Commuter Corporation. All other names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.