Drivers of Behavioral Acceptance of Cargo Bike Sharing Among Early Adopters
Cargo bike sharing is a promising urban mobility innovation with potential to reduce carbon emissions and enhance quality of life. Yet research on behavioral acceptance in the private sector remains scarce. This study investigates acceptance of (electric) cargo bike sharing among early adopters to identify drivers for broader uptake.
We test several explanatory variables including compatibility, trialability, ease of use, perceived benefits, price value, and hedonic motivation. We also consider personality-level factors—routine seeking and environmental identity. Data were collected via an online survey in a German medium-sized city (n = 127) using non-random opportunity sampling. Multiple regression analyses show that ease of use, hedonic motivation, and need compatibility significantly predict behavioral acceptance (i.e. usage). Behavioral intentions (future usage) are driven by trialability, perceived benefits, and combinations of needs and value compatibility.
Results indicate that individuals’ perceived advantages of the innovation, compatibility with needs and values, and trialability are critical determinants of cargo bike sharing adoption among early adopters. Environmental identity exhibited limited explanatory power in this cohort.
These findings offer actionable implications for practitioners and policymakers aiming to scale cargo bike sharing and support a transition toward sustainable urban mobility.
