The rise of electric bicycles has significantly changed cycling behavior and urban mobility patterns. E-bikes enable higher speeds, smoother hill climbing, and lower physical effort compared to conventional bicycles, which may influence both the dynamics of cycling (e.g., acceleration, speed choice) and the behavioral strategies of bicyclists. Understanding these differences is crucial for designing safe infrastructure, improving traffic models, and guiding transport policy.

This Bachelor’s thesis explores the differences in cycling dynamics, operational behavior, and tactical decision-making between conventional and electric bicycle users. Drawing on empirical studies and existing literature, it examines how factors such as speed, acceleration, and rider effort differ between modes, as well as how these differences shape operational behavior like overtaking, braking, or lane positioning. It also considers tactical aspects such as lane choice and interactions with other road users.

The thesis aims to provide a structured overview of key differences in behavior and performance between e-bike and conventional bicycle users and discuss the role of contextual factors such as infrastructure and demographics, and highlight the implications for safety, simulation, and urban transport planning.

• How do cycling dynamics (e.g., acceleration, deceleration, speed profiles, hill climbing, steering, balance) differ between conventional and electric bicycle users?
• What differences exist in operational behaviors (e.g., lane positioning, braking, cornering, overtaking) between conventional and electric cyclists?
• How do tactical behaviors (e.g., lane change, interactions with other road users, gap acceptance) vary between e-bike and conventional bike users?
• What are the implications of these differences for traffic safety, infrastructure design, and transport modeling?

Fundamental Research