Author Archives: Annick Roetynck

About Annick Roetynck

Annick is the Manager of LEVA-EU, with decades of experience in two-wheeled and light electric mobility.

• LEVA-EU launches Wechat account

  16/02/2021 16:39 Comments Off on LEVA-EU launches Wechat account

  On 17 February 2021, LEVA EU launches its official Chinese Wechat (the primary social media platform in China) account, with the goal of bridging the information gap and sharing LEVA EU updates with Chinese contacts.

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  “We have been cooperating and working with our Chinese members and partners very actively from the start of our association“, LEVA EU Manager Annick Roetynck says, “but with the help of this Wechat account, we hope to bring our relationship and communication even closer. We know a lot of our European members also use this tool when working with their Chinese partners, and we hope they can share the channel with their Chinese network, who can surely benefit from the information we will publish.“

  LEVA EU China Affairs Director, Dennis Hu, explains “the Wechat account will share related information on a monthly basis, with a mission to create a closer and deeper connection between Chinese associates and members, and the European market.” He added the invitation, “Please do follow our account and we hope to interact with you all soon!“

  You may scan and follow LEVA EU’s Wechat account as below.

  

  

• Taipei Cycle D&I Awards Highlight Most Innnovative Products

  16:21 Comments Off on Taipei Cycle D&I Awards Highlight Most Innnovative Products

  Taipei Cycle online will take place from March 3 to 31. During the exhibition, numerous events will be held to highlight the latest developments in the global bicycle industry.

  Taipei Cycle d&i award-winning products will be on display at the Innovative Design Award Pavilion. This year, d&i awards were bestowed on a total of 38 products, six of which won a gold award. The complete list of winners will be announced at the pre-show news conference and awards ceremony on February 24, 2021.

  There were nearly 110 entries from all around the world for this year’s d&i awards. Of the five categories in the competition, the fiercest competition was in parts, components and cycling accessories. The other categories were complete bicycles, e-bikes, drive units and smart cycling services.

  Most judges expressed surprise at the large number of innovative product designs this year, in spite of the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. They found that the integration of individual components into the design of complete bicycles was more comprehensive than in the past and that overall product design was more detailed. In addition, the pandemic has powered the bicycle industry’s growth, countering the trends seen in other sectors.

  For more information on Taipei Cycle, please click on this link.

• 360 degree video tour in the showroom of Van Raam

  16:19 Comments Off on 360 degree video tour in the showroom of Van Raam

  February 2021, Van Raam – Curious about the Van Raam showroom? Take a look at their 360 degree video tour in the showroom and control every step.

  This video brings the showroom of Van Raam to its customers. Through the entrance of the building in Varsseveld customers enter directly the Van Raam showroom. In the showroom all Van Raam cycles are displayed. In addition to (electric) tricycles, wheelchair bikes, tandems, double rider bikes, low step-through bikes, walking aids and mobility scooter bikes, many of the most common add-ons and accessories are also available here. A quick reminder for people who want to watch the video in 360 degrees on their smartphone, please open the video in the YouTube app. Click on the link to watch the video.

  

  Customers may visit the Van Raam showroom in Varsseveld for individual assistance. Van Raam’s technical advisors will give customers advice and explanations on the various Van Raam cycles. In general, Van Raam has around 4,000 appointments per year.

  

  During a test ride it’s possible to try out a cycle on the test track with different obstacles. Van Raam has designed a bike test track to simulate situations that also occur in daily life. Read more about their test track in the article ‘Testing adapted bikes on the Van Raam bike test track‘.

  

  There is also a Van Raam showroom in Treuchtlingen (South of Germany): Van Raam Beratungszentrum Deutschland-Süd. Just like the Varsseveld location, customers may test cycles and receive advice here.

• LEVA-EU calls on Commission to give Zero Tailpipe Emission Vehicle sector its own voice and own legislation

  16:11 Comments Off on LEVA-EU calls on Commission to give Zero Tailpipe Emission Vehicle sector its own voice and own legislation

  Last week,LEVA-EU has submitted its position paper on Zero Tailpipe Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) to TRL in the framework of their ZEV-study for the European Commission. A few days ago, LEVA-EU has also presented the Commission with both the position paper on the review of Regulation 168/2013 and on the review of the Machinery Directive.

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  In the meantime, the DG Grow-department responsible for Regulation 168/2013 has acknowledged receipt, expressed their appreciation and confirmed that the TRL study will be presented at the next Motorcycle Working Group meeting. The study should include specific recommendations for the review of ZEV-legislation.

  Throughout the position paper, LEVA-EU calls for a better representation of the ZEV-sector, in a bid to remove legal bottlenecks it says are blighting the industry. Today, the forum for preliminary discussions on corrections, amendments and reviews of L-category type-approval legislation is the Motorcycle (sic) Working Group. This forum is dominated by internal combustion engine moped and -motorcycle experts, both among the Member State representatives and stakeholders. LEVA-EU is the only stakeholder to exclusively represent ZEV-companies.

  LEVA-EU defines a Zero Tailpipe Emission Vehicle as “a powered vehicle equipped with a motor that does not produce harmful tailpipe emissions”. These vehicles are subject to European legislation, Regulation 168/2013, that was originally designed for petrol engine mopeds and motorcycles, or to the Machinery Directive aimed at machines with the exclusion of vehicles.

  LEVA-EU proposes to add an article to Regulation 168/2013, excluding ZEVs with a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h and to also exclude all ZEVs from the Machinery Directive.  As a result, this simple legal intervention would exclude all types of electric cycles, cargo-cycles, e-scooters, monowheels, e-hoverboards, self-balancing vehicles and any other Zero Tailpipe Emission Vehicle not yet mentioned explicitly in law today, from the current legal framework, which is totally inappropriate and inaccurate.

  Instead, LEVA-EU proposes to transfer ZEVs into a new horizontal Vehicle Regulation. This European law would specify essential safety requirements to be complemented with harmonised standards and possibly, for certain ZEV-categories, type-approval procedures. In any case, LEVA-EU believes that the form of the legislative framework needs to be decided in consultation with the ZEV-sector.

  The measures, which also include a new way to regulate speed and a simple categorisation based on speed and weight only, are detailed in a position paper the body has submitted to the European Commission.

  LEVA-EU Manager Annick Roetynck said bringing in the concept of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) would finally set them apart from vehicles such as petrol engine motorbikes and mopeds, when it comes to the lengthy legislation manufacturers must navigate.

  She said: “The ZEV concept covers all light, electric vehicles and allows for much simpler, more accurate and future-proof rules. LEVA-EU has also submitted the paper to TRL in the framework of their ongoing study for the European Commission, into possible legislative reviews for the benefit of ZEVs. They will complete their study this month.”

  “LEVA-EU insists that speed and weight limits must be set in consultation with the ZEV sector. Because the voice of the sector is drowned out by the voice of parties who consider ZEVs an existential threat, from which they must protect their business, the Commission has not yet entered into an in-depth dialogue with the sector. LEVA-EU calls on the Commission to no longer postpone that consultation.”

  In the document, LEVA-EU calls for all infrastructure, such as cycle paths, cycle streets, cycle highways and cycle parking, to be renamed as ZEV infrastructure. Traffic signs, it says, should also reflect ZEVs, a measure it believes would improve cyclists’ and motorists’ perception of ZEVs.

  Current regulations class most light electric vehicles in the same category as petrol engine mopeds and motorbikes. This law, Regulation 168/2013, leaves manufacturers forced to navigate complicated and costly procedures, and presents considerable safety issues for riders.

  LEVA-EU’s proposal for new legislation is based on kinetic energy, stating it believes that vehicles with the same kinetic energy must be subject to similar rules.

  As an example, a pedal assisted bike 25 km/h – 250W develops exactly the same kinetic energy as that same vehicle with, for instance, 300W. However, the first is excluded from type-approval, comes under the Machinery Directive and has the same status as a conventional bicycle in all EU member states. The 300W edition is an L1e-A, needs type-approval and does not have a clear status in most member states. The first one is selling by the millions, the second one is virtually non-existing.

  LEVA-EU also proposes some fundamental changes to the terms of use for ZEVs, including that speed limits by design must no longer be used to regulate traffic. Just as is the case for all other vehicles (except conventional mopeds), traffic speed must be regulated by local speed limitations decided by traffic management authorities.

  The paper also urges the Commission to take an initiative aimed at organising consultation between member states on terms of use for ZEVs. Roetynck adds: “This will definitely contribute to raising awareness of member states on ZEVs as well as to exchanging best practice. That will, in turn speed up the adaptation of traffic rules and road infrastructure to ZEVs and allow them to realise their full potential, thus making a huge contribution to the objectives of the Green Deal.”

  The full position paper on the review of Regulation 168/2013 is available here: https://bit.ly/36SrBwv. The position paper on the review of the Machinery Directive is here: https://bit.ly/2Nc97Aj

  Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash

• 2020: E-motorcycles & speed pedelecs push European L-category registrations forward

  10:19 Comments Off on 2020: E-motorcycles & speed pedelecs push European L-category registrations forward

  Last year, the European motorcycle market only continued to grow thanks to increased sales of electric vehicles. Electric mopeds already achieve a share of more than 20 % in registrations. That is largely to the credit of speed pedelecs.

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  2020 was a symbolically important year for electric motorcycles. It was only thanks to them that the total EU market continued to grow. Their registrations jumped from 12,263 to 18,620, almost 52% growth. The registration of internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles completely stagnated, despite increased pre-registrations due to the validity of Euro 4 approvals ending on 31 December 2020. The share of electric motorcycles in total registration rose from 1.4 to 2.1%. The Corona-crisis appears to have had a rather beneficial effect on e-motorcycle sales with significant increases in most months except in April, June, October and November.

  Spain remained the largest market with 6,370 registrations, which is plus 7%. The biggest growth however occurred in Italy where registrations were almost 3.5 times higher than in 2019. Italy became the second biggest market with more than 5,600 registrations. In 2020, the country had a € 1.3 million budget for scrapping ICE- and purchasing electric L-category vehicles. France on number 3 booked 30.5% more and Germany 53.6%. France also has a national incentives’ program, while Germany only has measures in place in a few regions.

  Electric moped registrations also increased, but only by 12.5% from 52,000 to 58,500. That was 1% less than then the growth of the total moped market. E-mopeds already have a 21% share in total registrations. It should be taken into account that these number include speed pedelecs.
  In 2 countries, registrations made a major leap of more than 50%. The Netherlands jumped over Belgium to become number one with just under 20,000 registrations. The Netherlands offer extensive tax exemption and deduction for e-vehicles. In Spain, registrations increased from + 5,500 tot + 8,500.

  In two countries, registrations declined: with more than 20% in France to just under 11,000 and with 10% in Belgium to almost 14,400. In reality, the Belgian e-moped registrations only included 1,891 conventional e-mopeds. That was almost 40% less than in 2019. This decline was due to the deletion of the successful Flemish subsidy for e-mopeds (excluding speed pedelecs). Of the Belgian 14,400 registrations last year, 12,500 were speed pedelecs.

  Statistics’ source: ACEM

  Electric Motorcycle Registrations

  

  Electric Moped Registrations

  

• 新年快乐!

  11/02/2021 09:17 Comments Off on 新年快乐!

  恭喜恭喜!

  It was a true pleasure working with all of you in the past year. We are looking forward to continuing our cooperation in the new year.

  We wish you and your family a Happy and Healthy Chinese New Year!

  我们祝大家新年快乐!

  The LEVA-EU team:
  Annick Roetynck, General Manager
  Dennis Hu, Director China Affairs
  Bram Rotthier, Technical Director
  Eddie Eccleston, SBS Expert
  Daan van Dieren, Policy Officer

• Cowboy New Navigation Dashboard

  09/02/2021 14:46 Comments Off on Cowboy New Navigation Dashboard

  Brussels, January 2020 – Since 2018, LEVA-EU member Cowboy offers the simplest, fastest, and most enjoyable way to go around the city. With the launch of a redesigned navigation dashboard, Cowboy goes one step further to reinterpret the urban commute and assist its riders with valuable information every step of the way. Putting riders’ health first, Cowboy wants to take the navigation experience to the next level by offering its community to rally their destination through the cleanest air itinerary.

  Cowboy takes the opportunity to completely revamp its turn-by-turn navigation experience. At the time of starting their ride, riders will have the choice between several routes to reach their destination; namely the fastest and cleanest options available at the time of the trip.

  In order to deliver this industry world premiere, Cowboy has partnered with Breezometer, one of the biggest data providers of hyper-local air quality data sources. Breezometer is notably Apple’s official supplier of hyperlocal air quality source, having recently announced the integration of air quality level inside Apple’s Weather app. Cowboy’s air quality feature is available across all Europe and the solution has been specifically designed with the use case of a cyclist in mind.

  At launch, Cowboy riders will be provided with several levels of information with regard to the air quality, being able to make well-informed decisions when in need to move in and around cities:

  • Real-time heatmap of the air quality data when opening the Cowboy app
  • Contextual information to educate riders about the different levels of air quality
  • A cleaner alternative route to the fastest route to their destination.

  Complementing this clean air routing algorithm, and with the ambition to offer the very best navigation experience, Cowboy has also released additional improvement to its navigation dashboard.

  Cowboy can now estimate the battery level of their bike on arrival at the destination for each proposed route. In order to accurately calculate the remaining battery level, Cowboy takes into account the rider’s battery usage history. Thanks to this real-time information, Cowboy can predict the available battery level on arrival at the destination.

  With the launch of the new navigation dashboard and its new key features, Cowboy reaffirms its commitment to providing riders with the optimal urban mobility experience. Cowboy is highly focused to keep their riders safe, healthy, and updated every step of the way.

• Suspension of duties on (e)bike components extended

  08/02/2021 18:01 Comments Off on Suspension of duties on (e)bike components extended

  With Council Regulation 2018/2069, the EU decided to suspend as of 1 January 2019, the 4.7% regular import duties on the following bicycle components:
  – CN Code 87149110 23 – Frame, constructed from aluminium or aluminium and carbon fibres, for the use in the manufacture of bicycles (including e-bikes): 0% until 31/12/2023
  – CN Code 8714913025 – Front forks, except rigid (non-telescopic) front forks made entirely of steel, for use in the manufacture of bicycles: 0% until 31/12/2023
  – CN Code 8714961010 – Pedals, for use in the manufacture of bicycles: 0% until 31/12/2020
  – CN Code 8714991020 – Bicycle handlebars: – with our without integrated stem – either made out of carbon fibres and synthetic resin or made of aluminium for use in the manufacture of bicycles: 0% until 31-12-2022
  – CN Code 8714999030 – Seat posts, for use in the manufacture of bicycles: 0% until 31/12/2020

  The suspension applies, irrespective whether the components are used for conventional or electric bicycles. The EU’s main argument for this Regulation was the acknowledgement that there was no production of these components left in the EU.

  In the original Regulation the suspension for pedals and seat posts was to end on 31 December 2020. However, the Council has decided to extend the suspension of import duties on these components until 31 December 2025.

  The original Regulation is here: https://bit.ly/3tLZDwj
  The Regulation extending the suspension is here: https://bit.ly/3cRtLjw

  Photo by kira cheng on Unsplash

• Jack Brandsen to leave Bafang

  17:49 Comments Off on Jack Brandsen to leave Bafang

  Wijchen February 2021 – After a six-year tenure at the helm of the Bafang European headquarters in Wijchen, The Netherlands, Jack Brandsen will depart LEVA-EU member Bafang as of March 31st.

  He joined Bafang Electric Motor Science -Technology B.V. in 2014, where he built up a strong team of service, sales and administration specialists over time. The company customer base and revenue both grew significantly during this period.

  “I am someone who likes to build an organization and that is exactly what I have been doing for the past few years. And although you’re never finished, it is a good time for me to leave and look for a new challenge,” Brandsen explains. “I would like to remain active in the bicycle industry, because this market appeals to me greatly and I have gained a lot of experience and developed a good network there.”

  Jack Brandsen further adds: “I have a lot of respect for Bafang, it is a hard-working company, with an excellent management and innovative technology team, which resulted in a fivefold increase in turnover over the past 6 years. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been working with and for Bafang and I wish its team members all the best for the future. It has been an honor to have contributed to Bafang’s development over the past years.”

  Jack Brandsen can be reached under +31 6 8191 8717 or via e-mail jackbrandsen@live.nl