Data gathered by the SEAI Behavioural Economics Unit show that 15% of car trips in Ireland were undertaken to transport children to school or activities (versus 17% for commuting) in 2023. Of these child-transport trips, 55% were 5km or under. E-cargo bikes are ideal vehicle substitutes for child-transport trips of this range.

To explore how private e-cargo bikes are experienced and integrated as a mode of everyday mobility in Ireland, we carried out 23 in-depth semi-structured interviews with 25 private ECB owners based on the island of Ireland. We then ran an online survey informed by the findings of the qualitative phase with 203 respondents. 

Informed by our study findings, in this policy brief, we provide suggestions relating to three areas of policy and planning that could help to develop Ireland’s future private e-cargo bike (ECB) system: ownership, parking, and mobility. Tackling the systemic sticking points in these spheres of action could help to unlock future demand for private ECBs for everyday mobility, by reconfiguring the financial viability, parking security, and everyday comfort and convenience of an ECB relative to the private car.