Exploring intention to use shared electric bicycles by the extended theory of planned behavior

Abstract

In China, shared electric bicycles are developing rapidly, and are widely used by residents. Understanding the factors that affect residents’ intention to use shared electric bicycles is important for implementing a policy of developing sustainable transportation. A sample of 751 respondents has been collected in a small-sized Chinese city to analyze residents’ intention to use shared electric bicycles, using an extended theory of planned behavior model. The findings reveal that the research model can well explain residents’ intention to use shared electric bicycles. Attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control have direct positive effects on the intention to use shared electric bicycles. Among them, the subjective norm has the greatest impact on the intention to use shared electric bicycles. Environmental concern and policy support have indirect positive effects on the intention to use shared electric bicycles through the partial mediation of attitude and subjective norm. Based on the above analysis, some measures are proposed to guide the development of shared electric bicycles.