VIU masters student Eleni Gibson, who's spearheading a study into e-bike infrastructure and ridership around Nanaimo. (VIU)

By Spencer Sterritt

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VIU study seeing if e-bikes are feasible for hilly Nanaimo

Oct 15, 2019 | 2:21 PM

NANAIMO — A new study wants to take a closer look at cycling in Nanaimo.

VIU masters of community planning student Eleni Gibson is curious if e-bikes could be a viable transportation option and even surpass traditional bikes.

“Almost everywhere you want to go, you’re going to get a workout,” Gibson said of cycling in Nanaimo. “Even for me, I’m young and pretty healthy but it became too much work for me to do that.”

E-bikes provide a boost when going up hills and can even be used to zip along without any pedalling required.

“Everywhere you want to go, there’s going to be at least one big hill and your commute is going to be more than just a couple of kilometres because the City is so spread out.” _{Eleni Gibson}

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Her study will look at people’s attitudes towards e-bikes and whether it makes sense for the City to include them in the active transportation master plan.

Gibson said with cycling infrastructure already being laid down across the City, only a few additions would be needed to make e-bikes a suitable option to get around.

“People are worried they’re not going to be able to get all the way their going on the charge their on. Having enough public charging stations would really help people with that barrier.”

A lack of parking options is also an issue.

“Even if next year we put in a bunch of really good protected bike lanes, if there’s nowhere to lock up your bike at the shopping mall or your job, you’re not going to bring your $4,000 e-bike and leave it out in public.”

Regarding the high cost of e-bikes, Gibson said it’s a significant barrier which can be overcome by “looking at the bigger picture.”

“You might be able to get rid of a car and replace all those trips with the e-bike. It pays for itself very quickly without the cost of insurance and gas. If you can switch your mindset and view it as your next vehicle, the price becomes a lot more reasonable.”

Gibson’s study will be presented to the City of Nanaimo once it’s complete.

If it shows people aren’t interested in e-bikes, she said she’ll encourage the city to focus on viable transportation options like public transit.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit