Starting to ride an e-cycle relates to more frequent cycling: A longitudinal analysis of retrospective data

Introduction: E-cycles may offer an opportunity to increase cycling levels. However, experimental findings should be complemented with longitudinal observational studies examining the effects of starting to e-cycle on cycling levels in real-life settings. The current study among Flemish and Dutch middle-aged and older adults (>= 45 years) aimed to compare changes between two time points in total (conventional +e-cycling) and conventional cycling frequencies of participants who started e-cycling against participants who did not e-cycle, who e-cycled at both time points and who stopped e-cycling. Methods: Conventional and e-cycling frequencies were assessed retrospectively using a survey and participants (n = 1420) were categorized into one of four groups; (1) not e-cycling at both time points (n = 849), (2) e-cycling at both time points (n = 553), (3) started e-cycling (n = 11) and (4) stopped e-cycling (n = 7). Non-parametric repeated measures ANOVAs were applied to examine changes in total and conventional cycling frequency according to group. Results: A significant interaction between group and time was observed for total and conventional cycling frequencies. Total cycling frequencies significantly decreased in all groups, except among those who started e-cycling for whom a significant increase with large effect size was observed. Conventional cycling frequencies significantly decreased in all groups, except among those who stopped e-cycling for whom no significant change was observed. Sensitivity analyses on matched groups confirmed these findings. Conclusions: E-cycles appear to boost cycling frequencies among middle-aged and older adults. Future prospective observational studies in larger samples assessing cycling frequencies and durations and overall physical activity levels are necessary to confirm current findings.