IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/transa/v194y2025ics0965856425000424.html

Adoption of speed pedelecs as a commuting vehicle: Investigating the influence of a test period

Author

Listed:
  • den Steen, Nikolaas Van
  • Cappelle, Jan
  • Vanhaverbeke, Lieselot

Abstract

The rising registration numbers show that speed pedelecs are being adopted in Flanders, Belgium. A speed pedelec (SP), i.e. a fast electric bicycle with a maximum pedal-assisted speed of 45 km/h and a maximum continuous rated motor power of 4 kW, is a good alternative to cars as a commuting vehicle for certain distances. Qualitative studies identified the existing motivations for this uptake, but a model describing the specific factors driving this adoption, linked to empirical validation, is missing. This paper suggests a new SP adoption model based on several existing adoption theories and tests the theory through an experimental trial with a pre-test and post-test measurement. The study reveals that attitude formation is influenced by several factors, including Trust, Result Demonstrability, Design, Relative Advantage and Ease of Use before the test period. After the test period, however, the set of influencing factors narrows, with only Design and Ease of Use remaining significant predictors of attitude formation. This indicates that the test period not only reinforces certain perceptions but also filters out less impactful attributes, concentrating participants’ attitudes around the usability and design of the speed pedelec. The findings confirm that attitude formation towards speed pedelecs is instrumental in driving the intention to adopt them as commuting vehicles, with the test period playing a key role in reshaping perceptions. These insights are valuable for marketers and policymakers aiming to encourage active mobility, highlighting the importance of emphasising specific characteristics like design and usability to potential adopters.

Suggested Citation

  • den Steen, Nikolaas Van & Cappelle, Jan & Vanhaverbeke, Lieselot, 2025. "Adoption of speed pedelecs as a commuting vehicle: Investigating the influence of a test period," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:194:y:2025:i:c:s0965856425000424
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2025.104414
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965856425000424
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tra.2025.104414?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benjamin T. Hazen & Robert E. Overstreet & Yacan Wang, 2015. "Predicting Public Bicycle Adoption Using the Technology Acceptance Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-16, October.
    2. repec:plo:pone00:0210964 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Jun Li & Jiachao Shen & Bicen Jia, 2021. "Exploring Intention to Use Shared Electric Bicycles by the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-13, April.
    4. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    5. Kahn, Matthew E., 2007. "Do greens drive Hummers or hybrids? Environmental ideology as a determinant of consumer choice," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 129-145, September.
    6. Daniel A. Griffith & Bin Li, 2022. "Advanced Introduction to Spatial Statistics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 20057, March.
    7. Ruiwei Li & Gobi Krishna Sinniah & Xiangyu Li, 2022. "The Factors Influencing Resident’s Intentions on E-Bike Sharing Usage in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, April.
    8. Rosseel, Yves, 2012. "lavaan: An R Package for Structural Equation Modeling," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 48(i02).
    9. Gary C. Moore & Izak Benbasat, 1991. "Development of an Instrument to Measure the Perceptions of Adopting an Information Technology Innovation," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 2(3), pages 192-222, September.
    10. Wolf, Angelika & Seebauer, Sebastian, 2014. "Technology adoption of electric bicycles: A survey among early adopters," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 196-211.
    11. Hallberg, Martin & Rasmussen, Thomas Kjær & Rich, Jeppe, 2021. "Modelling the impact of cycle superhighways and electric bicycles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 397-418.
    12. Sudarsan Jayasingh & T. Girija & Sivakumar Arunkumar, 2021. "Factors Influencing Consumers’ Purchase Intention towards Electric Two-Wheelers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-20, November.
    13. Hamed Taherdoost, 2018. "A review of technology acceptance and adoption models and theories," Post-Print hal-03741843, HAL.
    14. Johan Jansson, 2011. "Consumer eco‐innovation adoption: assessing attitudinal factors and perceived product characteristics," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(3), pages 192-210, March.
    15. Ziegler, Andreas, 2012. "Individual characteristics and stated preferences for alternative energy sources and propulsion technologies in vehicles: A discrete choice analysis for Germany," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 46(8), pages 1372-1385.
    16. Nenad Djokic & Nikola Milicevic & Branimir Kalas & Ines Djokic & Vera Mirovic, 2023. "E-Bicycle as a Green and Physically Active Mode of Transport from the Aspect of Students: TPB and Financial Incentives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-11, January.
    17. Petschnig, Martin & Heidenreich, Sven & Spieth, Patrick, 2014. "Innovative alternatives take action – Investigating determinants of alternative fuel vehicle adoption," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 68-83.
    18. Manon Feys & Evy Rombaut & Lieselot Vanhaverbeke, 2021. "Does a Test Ride Influence Attitude towards Autonomous Vehicles? A Field Experiment with Pretest and Posttest Measurement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-20, May.
    19. T. N. Li & A. Papanicolaou, 2019. "Statistical Arbitrage for Multiple Co-Integrated Stocks," Papers 1908.02164, arXiv.org, revised Feb 2022.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Petschnig, Martin & Heidenreich, Sven & Spieth, Patrick, 2014. "Innovative alternatives take action – Investigating determinants of alternative fuel vehicle adoption," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 68-83.
    2. Sana Akbar Khan, 2017. "Consumer Innovation Adoption Stages and Determinants," Working Papers 03, Venice School of Management - Department of Management, Università Ca' Foscari Venezia.
    3. Kum Fai Yuen & Grace Chua & Xueqin Wang & Fei Ma & Kevin X. Li, 2020. "Understanding Public Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-19, June.
    4. Ingrid Moons & Patrick De Pelsmacker, 2015. "An Extended Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour to Predict the Usage Intention of the Electric Car: A Multi-Group Comparison," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-34, May.
    5. Mohamed, Moataz & Higgins, Chris & Ferguson, Mark & Kanaroglou, Pavlos, 2016. "Identifying and characterizing potential electric vehicle adopters in Canada: A two-stage modelling approach," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 100-112.
    6. Shanyong Wang & Jin Fan & Dingtao Zhao & Shu Yang & Yuanguang Fu, 2016. "Predicting consumers’ intention to adopt hybrid electric vehicles: using an extended version of the theory of planned behavior model," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 123-143, January.
    7. Fanchao Liao & Eric Molin & Bert van Wee, 2017. "Consumer preferences for electric vehicles: a literature review," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(3), pages 252-275, May.
    8. Christos Gkartzonikas & Lisa Lorena Losada-Rojas & Sharon Christ & V. Dimitra Pyrialakou & Konstantina Gkritza, 2023. "A multi-group analysis of the behavioral intention to ride in autonomous vehicles: evidence from three U.S. metropolitan areas," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 635-675, April.
    9. Muhammad Riaz & Sherani, 2021. "Investigation of information sharing via multiple social media platforms: a comparison of Facebook and WeChat adoption," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(5), pages 1751-1773, October.
    10. Kumar Shalender & Naman Sharma, 2021. "Using extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to predict adoption intention of electric vehicles in India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 665-681, January.
    11. Daniel Fett & Joris Dehler-Holland & Markus Schmutz, 2021. "A survey on the user acceptance of PV battery storage systems," Sustainability Nexus Forum, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 161-171, June.
    12. Fraccascia, Luca & Ceccarelli, Gaia & Dangelico, Rosa Maria, 2023. "Green products from industrial symbiosis: Are consumers ready for them?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    13. Shanyong Wang & Jin Fan & Dingtao Zhao & Shu Yang & Yuanguang Fu, 2016. "Predicting consumers’ intention to adopt hybrid electric vehicles: using an extended version of the theory of planned behavior model," Transportation, Springer, vol. 43(1), pages 123-143, January.
    14. Adnan, Nadia & Nordin, Shahrina Md & Rahman, Imran, 2017. "Adoption of PHEV/EV in Malaysia: A critical review on predicting consumer behaviour," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 849-862.
    15. Mohammed Akhmaaj, Asmaeil Ali & Sharif, Mohamed Omar, 2024. "The effects of planned behavior model constructs and technology acceptance model constructs on online purchasing behavior: An empirical study on internet users in the Libya city of Tripoli," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    16. Quevedo Cascante, Mónica & Acosta García, Nicolás & Fold, Niels, 2022. "The role of external forces in the adoption of aquaculture innovations: An ex-ante case study of fish farming in Colombia's southern Amazonian region," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    17. Heesup Han & Myong Jae Lee & Wansoo Kim, 2018. "Antecedents of Green Loyalty in the Cruise Industry: Sustainable Development and Environmental Management," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(3), pages 323-335, March.
    18. Yu Wang & Shanyong Wang & Jing Wang & Jiuchang Wei & Chenglin Wang, 2020. "An empirical study of consumers’ intention to use ride-sharing services: using an extended technology acceptance model," Transportation, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 397-415, February.
    19. Paul Juinn Bing Tan, 2013. "Applying the UTAUT to Understand Factors Affecting the Use of English E-Learning Websites in Taiwan," SAGE Open, , vol. 3(4), pages 21582440135, October.
    20. Ozaki, Ritsuko & Sevastyanova, Katerina, 2011. "Going hybrid: An analysis of consumer purchase motivations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 2217-2227, May.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:194:y:2025:i:c:s0965856425000424. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/547/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.