Electric bikes are a genuine commuting option for many, an international transport and traffic conference has been told.

RAC transport planning manager Sarah Macaulay said the success of trials in Perth and Albany in 2015 and 2016 demonstrated that e-bikes could drive change away from car use.

Speaking at the Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management’s annual conference, Ms Macaulay said each trial ran for 10 weeks, during which time 60 participants had exclusive use of e-bikes.

She said more than 3000 e-bike trips were made, with more than half being commutes to work. During the trial commuting trips made by car almost halved.

“The trials were designed and delivered to better understand and promote the power of e-bikes in overcoming some of the common barriers to cycling, enhancing its attractiveness and convenience as a viable mobility option for more people,” she said.

“Cycling has many benefits, including helping to provide enhanced mobility options, reducing car dependency and helping to manage congestion,” she said.

“In turn it can also lower harmful emissions and provide health, wellbeing and financial benefits for individuals and communities.”

“An e-bike, or power-assisted pedal cycle, is a bicycle with an electric motor and battery that provides assistance to the rider to reduce the amount of physical exertion needed to propel the bike.

“The motor is legally permitted to operate up to a speed of 25km/h before automatically disengaging, with any increase in speed beyond that being the result of ‘pedal power’.”

Ms Macaulay said the global e-bike market had expanded dramatically in recent years.

And while sales have been slower in Australia, it has been estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 e-bikes were imported into the county last year, twice as many as in 2016.

Ms Macaulay said another result from the trial was that many participants had saved money by using e-bikes, some around $200 a week.

She said the trial results provide “strong evidence of the power of e-bikes in enhancing the attractiveness and convenience of cycling, proving they can be a real alternative to the private car for many trips, including for commuting purposes.