We-Bike: Sustainable Urban Mobility Takes Centre Stage At An International Conference At UAS Technikum Wien

27 May, 2026
International partners gathered at the UAS Technikum Wien to discuss the latest research findings on e-bike use. The focus was on evidence-based measures to improve safety, health and acceptance in urban areas.
At the end of November 2025, an international project meeting was held at the UAS Technikum Wien as part of the Erasmus+ project We-Bike! – Why (not) use an e-bike for healthier and safer commuting, leisure, and sports. Representatives from all project partners came together in person to present the current status of the individual work packages (WPs) and to agree on the next steps.
The focus was on reports from the respective project leads, who provided updates on progress during the current research phase. The consortium brings together cities, research institutions, design studios and industry representatives from Italy, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Poland and the Netherlands. The aim of the project is to promote the use of e-bikes as a sustainable, safe and health-promoting form of mobility in urban areas.
Official launch of Work Package 3
The meeting also marked the official launch of Work Package 3, which is led by UAS Technikum Wien in collaboration with project partner Everythink. WP3 is dedicated to the development and implementation of a comprehensive training and qualification programme for key stakeholders in the e-bike sector – ranging from users and policy-makers to market representatives.
A workshop was held during the meeting to finalise the content, methodology and timetable of WP3. In addition, the international partners were given a tour of the facilities at UAS Technikum Wien that will be used to implement the planned training and pilot measures. This not only laid the organisational foundations but also highlighted the project’s infrastructural integration at the Vienna site.
Research findings provide a sound basis
The project is currently in an intensive research phase. Online surveys (CAWI), guided interviews (in-depth interviews), focus groups and policy analyses have been conducted in six European countries. The focus is particularly on older people aged 60 and over, policy-makers and market representatives.
The results so far paint a nuanced picture: freedom, independence and time savings are cited as the most important motives for using e-bikes, followed by health-related factors. At the same time, barriers remain – in particular high purchase and repair costs, the risk of theft and safety concerns regarding road traffic. It is also clear that needs vary depending on age group: whilst younger seniors rely more heavily on self-learning formats such as manuals or videos, older target groups prefer guided training sessions and workshops.
These findings form the basis for the development of a practice-oriented guide with safety protocols, as well as for concrete policy recommendations on integrating e-bikes into sustainable urban mobility strategies.
Contribution from UAS Technikum Wien
The project is led at UAS Technikum Wien by Markus Eckelt, Head of the Sports Engineering, Biomechanics & Ergonomics competence area. He emphasises the interdisciplinary significance of the project: “E-bikes are a key component of sustainable and health-promoting mobility in Europe. With We-Bike!, we combine scientific evidence, technological expertise and practical educational programmes to support older people in particular in maintaining safe and independent mobility.”
The project is closely linked to the Bachelor’s program in Sports Engineering and Ergonomics and the Master’s program in Sports Technology. Through international collaboration and the integration of research, teaching and practice, the UAS Technikum Wien is making an active contribution to the European mobility transition.
The We-Bike! project runs from January 2025 to June 2027 and is funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme. The aim is to establish e-bikes as a safe, inclusive and climate-friendly component of urban mobility in the long term and to develop evidence-based recommendations for action for policy-makers, industry and civil society.
Further Information:
We-Bike: Innovative e-bike project launched with kick-off event (09/04/2026)
WE-Bike! project – UAS Technikum Wien
Bachelor’s in Sports Engineering and Ergonomics
Field of expertise: Sports Engineering, Biomechanics & Ergonomics




















