"Cycling was never so easy!" An analysis of e-bike commuters' motives, travel behaviour and experiences using GPS-tracking and interviews

The market for electrically-assisted cycling is growing fast. When substituting motorized travel, it could play an important role in the development of sustainable transport systems. This study aimed to assess the potential of e-bikes for low-carbon commuting by analysing a-bike commuters' motives, travel behaviour and experiences. We GPS-tracked outdoor movements of 24 e-bike users in the Netherlands for two weeks and used their mapped travel behaviour as input for follow-up in-depth interviews. Most participants commuted by e-bike, alternated with car use. E-bike use was highest in work-related, single-destination journeys. It gave participants the benefits of conventional cycling over motorized transport (physical, outdoor activity) while mitigating relative disadvantages (longer travel time, increased effort). The positive experience of e-bike use explained the tolerance for longer trip durations compared to other modes of transportation. Participants were inclined to make detours in order to access more enjoyable routes. Results demonstrate that a-bikes can substitute motorized commuting modes on distances perceived to be too long to cover by regular bike, and stress the importance of positive experience in e-bike commuting. This provides impetus for future actions to encourage commuting by e-bike

Tinnitus Intensity Dependent Gamma Oscillations of the Contralateral Auditory Cortex

Non-pulsatile tinnitus is considered a subjective auditory phantom phenomenon present in 10 to 15% of the population. Tinnitus as a phantom phenomenon is related to hyperactivity and reorganization of the auditory cortex. Magnetoencephalography studies demonstrate a correlation between gamma band activity in the contralateral auditory cortex and the presence of tinnitus. The present study aims to investigate the relation between objective gamma-band activity in the contralateral auditory cortex and subjective tinnitus loudness scores. In unilateral tinnitus patients (N = 15; 10 right, 5 left) source analysis of resting state electroencephalographic gamma band oscillations shows a strong positive correlation with Visual Analogue Scale loudness scores in the contralateral auditory cortex (max r = 0.73, p<0.05). Auditory phantom percepts thus show similar sound level dependent activation of the contralateral auditory cortex as observed in normal audition. In view of recent consciousness models and tinnitus network models these results suggest tinnitus loudness is coded by gamma band activity in the contralateral auditory cortex but might not, by itself, be responsible for tinnitus perception

Exploring the Adoption of E-Bikes by Different User Groups

Increased e-bike use can potentially support a shift toward more sustainable and active transport systems. This paper outlines the potential of e-bikes for three user groups that have as yet not fully adopted this mode of transportation: commuters, rural residents and students. For each group, some group-specific advantages and limitations are identified that are likely to shape future e-bike mobility. Then, theoretical and methodological advances in transport geography, mobilities studies and environmental psychology are discussed that may form a backdrop for the empirical study of these groups. Based on this analysis, the use of integrative, mixed-methods research approaches is proposed, which consider potential e-bike mobility as the result of individual decision-making and shaped by social and spatial contexts. This approach may provide a base for the development of effective strategies for promoting the adoption of e-bikes among more diverse user groups

Commuting by e-bike: a mixed methods approach

The introduction of the e-bike is one of the most important developments in transportation in recent years. When substituting for use of cars and public transportation, it can play an important role in the development of sustainable transport systems that support active, healthy lifestyles. However, little is known on the effects of e-bike adoption on travel behavior and mobility. To gain insight into this, we tracked outdoor movement with GPS of 20 e-bike commuters in the north of the Netherlands for two weeks. The movement patterns were analyzed and mapped, and used as input for follow-up in-depth interviews for a detailed assessment of overall travel behavior. In the interviews, we discussed current travel behavior relative to travel behavior prior to e-bike adoption. Preliminary analysis of the GPS data tracking shows that a considerable amount of commuting trips was done by e-bike, although alternated with car and bus. Adopting an e-bike did not significantly affect travel distance, but impacted travel times. The in-depth interviews suggest that for most participants, adoption of the e-bike meant a re-evaluation of factors in mode choice such as safety, reliability, speed, ease, comfort and travel experience. Speed played a less important role than expected, while physical activity and an enjoyable experience constitute main motivators for using the e-bike. In general, our results confirm that e-bikes can (partially) replace conventional commuting modes such as cars and public transportation, providing support for further development of e-bike mobility

Etiquetage morpho-syntaxique par classification supervisée : vers une alternative aux dictionnaires ?

@inproceedings{CI-HOUBEN-2006, author = {Houben, Frédérick and Rioult, François}, title = {Etiquetage morpho-syntaxique par classification supervisée : vers une alternative aux dictionnaires ?}, booktitle = {Actes de JADT 2006}, pages = {507--515}, year = {2006}, volume = {1}, address = {Besançon, France} }International audienc