Despite the practical and sustainable mobility benefits of e-bikes, personal ownership and maintenance are considered barriers to adoption (Fitch et al., 2022). Lending e-bikes may address some of the challenges of shared micromobility programs, such as ease of access and payment, but comprehensive evaluations to date have focused on specialized systems, including a research project loaning e-bikes in Norway (Fyhri et al., 2017), and another available only to Google employees (Fitch et al., 2022). Meanwhile, local governments and non-profits have partnered to develop e-bike lending libraries to support lower income residents, such as Power to the Pedal based in Tigard, Oregon (Westside Transportation Alliance, 2024). Yet, there are no comprehensive syntheses available to provide guidance on successful deployment of e-bike lending libraries. Transportation planning and delivery 3 agencies, collaborations for climate reduction and equity, and broader transportation communities could be supported with guidance to improve alignment of system design and delivery for equity and climate goals, and to sustain programs through competitive funding programs and operational efficiency.

The overall objective of this study is to provide an overview of e-bike lending libraries in North America and to develop a recommended practice framework for lending library design. The report will provide a framework for local organizations to develop e-bike lending libraries and to provide a policy structure for state and city legislatures. We anticipate the research findings, articulated in the deliverables, to inform practice and policy at multiple levels, and lead to the development better program development of lending libraries.