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.

• InclusivEbike project to demonstrate rickshaw e-bikes

  06/07/2020 15:26 Leave a Comment

  EIT Urban Mobility is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Since January 2019, EIT Urban Mobility is working to encourage positive changes in the way people move around cities in order to make them more liveable places. In this framework, EIT Urban Mobility has recently launched EIT a COVID-19 Crisis Response call and has now announced the 10 projects selected under this call.

  One of the 10 is InclusivEbike, which aims at developing and demonstrating a new concept of rickshaw e-bikes to promote safety and comfort by extending inclusiveness to frail and vulnerable people that have seen their mobility and physical activity strongly reduced due to COVID risk associated to transport. Inclusiv_eBike will promote a new era of
  personalised transport capable of achieving inclusion, whilst assuring social distancing, sustainable transport and healthy aging.

  The project partners are Municipality Of Bergamo (Italy), One Less Van (Italy), Bilbao City Hall (Spain), Bosch VHIT (Italy), Nova (Italy), Tecnalia (Spain), Modena Energy And Sustainable Development Agency (Italy). The project budget is € 699,000 and the project runs from 1 July until the end of this year.

   

• SBS opposes proposal to create ISO committee on social responsibility

  14:26 Leave a Comment

  In April, ISO received a proposal for the creation of a new Technical Committee on social responsibility. If created, the committee would aim to revise the ISO 26000 standard and develop further guidance and/or standards on social responsibility.

  SBS considers that the proposal neither provides a proper justification for the creation of a new ISO Technical Committee nor considers SMEs as an important stakeholder in this area. The principles of social responsibility have not changed since the adoption of the standard. The current ISO 26000 already covers the main principles of social responsibility including sustainability aspects. Therefore, there is no need to revise it. Moreover, SBS doubts whether the development of multiple guidelines and standards under the umbrella of ISO 26000 would help to advance social responsibility and fears that this may just add unhelpful burdens on companies, especially SMEs, instead.

  Small Business Standards (SBS) is a European non-profit association established in 2013 with the support of the European Commission devoted to representing and defending Small and Medium-sized Enterprises’ (SMEs) interests in the standardisation system at European and international levels

   

  Photo by You X Ventures on Unsplash

• Light Electric Vehicle trade association LEVA-EU urges European Commission to match green transport rhetoric with action on LEVs

  30/06/2020 15:08 Leave a Comment

  LEVA-EU, the sole trade association for the light electric vehicle sector, says the European Commission cannot continue to ignore a key barrier to growth for the LEV market following its decision to carry out yet another study into LEVs.

  LEVA-EU wrote to the European Commissiion calling for urgent legislative change for LEVs, centring on the technical legislation for L-category vehicles – mopeds and motorcycles.  At the request of the Commission, the European Council and Parliament decided in 2013 to only exclude electric bicycles with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h and 250 W from this L-category. So, all other electric bicycles are included in technical legislation, which was originally written for internal combustion engine mopeds and motorcycles. This leaves manufacturers forced to navigate complicated, costly and inaccurate procedures. Moreover LEVA-EU said classing LEVs in the same category as mopeds presents considerable safety issues for riders.

  In a reply to LEVA-EU, Joanna Szychowska, head of the Automotive and Mobility Industries Unit at the Commission’s DG Grow, said the EC would shortly launch a study on the safety of personal mobility devices that would also look at the relevance of requirements for certain vehicle categories of the legislation in question, Regulation (EU) No 168/2013.

  But LEVA-EU manager Annick Roetynck said the organisation found the response ‘deeply frustrating’ saying it was ‘more procrastination’ and ‘more costly delays’ for the highly innovative LEV sector which is desperate to break free from the ill-fitting regulation.

  In the letter, Ms Szychowska said the EC was working to provide effective measures to facilitate the ramping up of production after the end of the COVID-19 confinement phase, while at the same time looking for ways to promote cleaner ways of transport.( see notes to editors)

  Earlier in June, the EC’s executive vice-president, Frans Timmermans, spoke at a major press conference on green transport and addressed the EU’s pledge of 20 billion euros for sustainable infrastructure transport projects, including electric mobility and bike lane schemes, saying: “When it comes to public investment to relaunch the transport sector more sustainable mobility will be key… funds can support the financing of one million electric vehicle charging points, clean fleet renewals, sustainable transport infrastructure especially looking at modalities of rail and electric mobility and bike lanes in cities.”

  But Ms Roetynck said rhetoric is not being matched with action. “The current 250W limit handcuffs the e-cargo-bike-industry so that it cannot meet the current demand from consumers,” she said. “The inaccurate type approval is creating a huge legal bottleneck for ebikes, nipping development in the bud before it has had time to flourish. By not changing LEV legislation, the EU Commission is doing harm to its own climate ambitions and we need change now. Moreover, as a result of these rules, riders are often forced to ride in dangerous conditions because the speed difference between them and other means of transport is often life-threatening.”

  Ms Roetynck said LEVA-EU had written to Mr Timmermans and the three EU Commission presidents. The group had already received a response from the cabinet of President Charles Michel stating: “On 23 April, President Charles Michel together with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen presented to the Heads of State and Government the Roadmap for recovery. It was agreed that the green transition will play a central and priority role in relaunching and modernising the EU economy. Further action to decarbonise the transport sector, which should also improve air quality, is necessary to succeed in the green transition. The Council of the European Union will thoroughly examine any proposal in this regard brought forward by the European Commission.”

  But Ms Roetynck said the response was ‘warm words’ but left the problem of reforming Regulation 168/2013 still firmly at the door of the European Commission.

  Ms Roetynck  also pointed to a recent study in Belgium called project 365SNEL  which examined the benefits of commuting by speed pedelec. The study found that workers highlighted punctuality and improved mental health as their main motivations for choosing a light electric vehicle over a car.  The research followed 106 employees from ten companies commuting on a speed pedelec for three weeks and involved people who had never ridden a speed pedelec before, and who lived between 15km and 35km from their workplace.

  The predictability of journey time was an important factor for many, as traffic considerations did not need to be made. Many enjoyed the exercise element, which meant they arrived at work with a clear head, said the study. The main hurdle for many consumers was the price.

  “This study again shows the key role speed pedelecs can make to the future of commuting,” she said. “But it is critical we encourage the growth of the sector and remove barriers quickly as solutions to the future of green transport are needed urgently now as cities across Europe and the world are scrambling to find safe and sustainable forms of transport and commuting. It is worrying that the study found consumers are being put off by price as price is a direct result of extremely complicated, inaccurate European technical rules.”

  LEVA-EU acts on behalf of around 50 members across Europe and estimates about three million E-bikes alone were sold in the European Union during 2019. About 98 per cent of these were E-bikes with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h and 250W, which shows the extent the technical legislation for L-category obstructs the development of new types of E-bikes.

   

• LEV Mobility Responses Covid-19

  12:09 Leave a Comment

  Below is a list of initiatives that are or will be implemented to support the uptake of light electric mobility, cycling and other forms of more sustainable forms of mobility  in European Member states and Switzerland in the aftermath of the Corona-crisis.

  Belgium

  • Bicycle ticket in trains are free of charge –  from 1 July until 31 December 2020. Please find more information @Belgiantrain.

  France

  • Bike repair subsidy ‘’Coup de Pouce Vélo’’- €50 for repairs – 11 May to 31 December 2020. Please find more information @Service Publice or go to @Coup De Pouce Velo.

  Germany

  • Reduced VAT rates – 1 July and 31 December 2020 – From 19% to 16% and 7% to 5%. Please find more information @The Bundesregierung.

  Italy

  • Mobility voucher – €500 purchase incentive (electric) bicycle, scooter, hoverboard or shared mobility services. Please find more information at @Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

  The Netherlands

  • The City of Amsterdam tests two heat sensing camera’s to improve flows of cyclists and reducing big queus at traffic lights. Please find more information @CityofAmsterdam.

  UK

  • Fix your bike voucher scheme – £50 for repairs. Please find more information @Gov.UK.

  Portugal

  • Lisbon – Purchase subsidy (electric) bicycles and cargo bicycle – €350 electric bicycle / €500 (electric) cargo bicycle. Please find more information @Lisboa.

  Spain

  • Madrid – Purchase incentive for non-pollution vehicles – Maximum 50% of total price or financial assistance up to €150 (electric) scooters, €500 (electric) bicycles, €600 (electric) mopeds and €750 (electric) motorcycles – €2.5 million available for 2020 and €3.0 million in 2021. Please find more information @ElPais.

   

  Photo by Alpine Region.

• E-Bikes Keep Older People More Mobile

  23/06/2020 14:45 Leave a Comment

  Dutch Insurance company Univé concludes that e-bikes effectively help to improve the mobility of seniors. Their conclusion is based on CBS data (Dutch organization for statistics) about cycling behavior between 2010 and 2017.

  For the group of 65 years and older, the statistics show that a total of 13.4% have been cycling faster, whereas for the group up to 50 years, the data barely shows any increase of speed. What’s more, the group of people above 78 years have been riding on average 33% more kilometres.

  According to Univé, growth in recorded speed and distance is based on the ever-growing popularity of e-bikes amongst seniors. However, as a result risks on injuries are increasing accordingly.

  In 2019, a total of 420,000 e-bikes have been sold in the Netherlands based on data from RAI and BOVAG. Parallel with the growing e-bike sales, Univé note an increase in the sales of bicycle insurances in 2020. 90% of  the group of 65 years and older insure their e-bike, while this is 50% for the group between 30 and 65 years and only a third for the group younger than 30.

  Etienne de Cooker, director of Univé Schade, acknowledges the benefits of e-bikes. “E-bikes are increasingly easy to use. That allows elderly people to remain independent for their mobility for a longer time and are therefore less reliant on friends and family. Increased speed and less resistance keeps their world big. Moreover, they keep moving. All aspects combined lead to an increased wellbeing and vitality for this age group.”

  According to de Cooker, the downside of increased speed and more kilometers is the number of traffic injuries onvolving e-bikes. “Often, these are accidents not involving anyone else. This shows that risks related to higher speed are sometimes underestimated and that potentially risky traffic situations are sometimes 0overlooked.”

  2018 traffic safety data by ‘VeiligheidNL’ endorse concerns about traffic safety related to e-bike usage amongst seniors. In the last ten years, cycling accidents requiring A&E intervention have increases by 30% , 40% of these victims in 2018 were 55 years and older. As for the e-bike accidents, 85% of the victims were +55 years.

  According to De Cooker, rather than the e-bike itself being dangerous, risks are more related to the experience of the rider.

  Further details: Univé.

• Alligt launches innovative front chainwheel

  14:27 Leave a Comment

  Alligt has made a new, lightweight 70 teeth chainwheel with a fixed protective edge on both sides. It is at least 20% lighter than Alligt’s other variants. So far, the chain wheels had been milled from one piece of 15 mm thick aluminium. Alligt has now reviewed that process and was able to considerably improve it. The new chainwheel has been made of one injection-moulded piece of high-quality plastic. This is an innovation in the sense that never before a chainwheel has been produced with this technique in the (recumbent) bicycle business. It is specially designed for recumbents and fast velomobiles with a 20″ rear wheel.

  Due to the increasing use of cassettes with ever more gears and a bigger range, the need for front gears has decreased. Consequently, a growing variety of vehicles have only one chainwheel in the front. Therefore, a derailleur that guides the chain is no longer needed, whilst the chain can come off more easily. Hence the increased need for two fixed protective edges on the chain wheel.

  The consumer price of the new Alligt chainwheel is € 120. The plastic injection-moulded chain wheel with integrated double protective edge is available to be fixed on the crank with a 110 and 130 mm pitch circle with 5 holes as well as for the Bafang mid-engine with 60 mm pitch circle with 5 holes.

  LEVA-EU member Alligt is a Dutch specialist producer of component parts for recumbent bikes and velomobiles as well as parts (wheels and idlers) for cargo bikes. Alligt has unparalleled know how of velomobiles.

  For further details please contact Leo Visscher at Alligt, leovisscherkorver@gmail.com, tel. +31 321 33 78 38, alligt.nl

• This Weekend: Online LEVA Live Tech Training

  14:26 Leave a Comment

  LEVA-EU sister organization in the USA, LEVA organizes a technical training coming weekend! Be part of something great. Find below more information about the event or go to LEVA’s Facebook. Book quickly, there is only a limited number of spots available! 

  Information about the event.

  Date: June 27 and 28 from 8 AM to 12 PM Eastern Time.

  Language: English.

  Teacher: Ed Benjamin – chairman LEVA and lead instructor.

  4 levels & technician certification for only $550: Full four levels + book (electric bike maintenance manual) + practice kit. Save travel time, expenses, and avoid #stayhome

  To book your spot: Please make your payment to the Light Electric Vehicle Association Paypal via account me/levausa or paypal@levassociation.com.

  Note: You can also do the theoretical part live online, to book for just $325.

  About the Program
  The Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA) E-Bike Technician Training and Certification Program consist of 2 levels of training and certification. The training has been developed for LEVA by Dr. Don Gerhardt and various LEVA members and e-bike manufacturers. The training is based on training developed on battery systems and electric vehicles for universities and community colleges by Dr. Gerhardt.

  Edward Benjamin teaches many of the courses. He has worked in bicycle shops as a mechanic and store owner since 1969. For the last 20 years, he has been involved in sourcing and technical issues as a consultant to the industry.

  The syllabus for the course is the same in any location or with either instructor. But the instructors will add material and information from their particular backgrounds. Dr. Gerhardt is more engineering and science, Ed Benjamin is more bike shop, bike mechanic, and maximizing profitability.

• Siegfried Neuberger passes away

  18/06/2020 14:29 Leave a Comment

  “It is with great sadness and dismay that we have to announce that our long-time managing director, Siegfried Neuberger, has died suddenly on June 13.” This announcement by ZIV left many people in the business speechless and bewildered.

  Siegfried Neuberger has been serving ZIV, the German trade association for the bicycle business, for 25 years as managing director for 25 years. As the ZIV representative, he also played a leading role in CONEBI, the confederation of the European bicycle industry.  He was the long-standing chair of CEN TC 333 – Cycles and had been recently re-elected in that position, whilst also being very active in ISO TC 149/SC1.

  Our deepest sympathy go to his wife and two sons.

  
  

• France: New Technical Requirements for Personal Transporters

  13:03 Leave a Comment

  The French Ministry of Transport has published new requirements for personal transporters (EDPM). These requirements hold changes for brakes, audible warning devices, lighting/reflector and requirements for dimensions. The requirements enter into force on 1 July 2020. Below, we summarise the regulatory changes:

  Please find here all three decrees:

  1. Audible warning device
  2. Brakes
  3. Light and signaling

  Audible warning device requirements

  All personal transport needs to be equipped with an a bell

  1. Has a sound, which can be heard from at least 50 meter away;
  2. Complies with ISO 14878: 2015, applicable to class 2 devices, designed for use in areas primarily shared by pedestrians and cyclists
  3. Is mounted on and controlled from the handlebar,  or worn by the driver if there is no handlebar.
  4. The manufacturer must provide the bell, though users may install it themselves.

  Legal text

  Requirements for brakes

  All personal transporters need to be equipped with a braking system as defined below

  • Single-track self-balancing vehicles must have 1 brake.
  • Single-track vehicles, which are not self-balancing  must have at least 1 brake or any other system to reduce the speed of the motor.
  • Multi-track vehicles that are neither self-balancing nor skateboards must be equipped with a parking brake system.
  • Multi-track vehicles that are not self-balancing must also be fitted with the following:
    • if two rear wheels, a brake on each wheel or an independent front brake and linked brakes on the rear wheels. The brakes must be applied by one single control
    • if one rear wheel, a braking system integrating all wheels or independent brakes for front and rear wheels
  • Multi track self-balancing vehicles must have a controlled acceleration braking system, which slows down the vehicle by means of a combination of acceleration and deceleration of the wheels. This system must comply with category 1 or 2, as specified in point 9.2.2 of ISO 60204-1
  • Multi-track personal transporters that are not self-balancing vehicles must also be fitted with one of the following devices:
    • If it has two rear wheels, the personal transporter must be equipped with a braking device on both of the rear wheels or an independent front brake and linked brakes on the rear wheels. The brake must be applied by means of a single control.
    • If it has one rear wheel, the personal transporter must be equipped with a braking system integrating all of the wheels or with independent brakes for the front and rear wheels.
  • Single track self-balancing vehicles need to be equipped with a brake.

  Drivers need to be able to control the braking system by hand or foot whilst in a normal driving position.

  If the vehicle has no handlebar, the braking device must be actuated in accordance with the instructions included by the manufacturer in the manual.

  All further braking requirements are here.

  Lighting and reflector requirements

  Personal transporters need to be equipped with the following lights:

  • Yellow or white light at the front
  • Red light at the rear
  • Both lights need to be visible at a distance of at least 150 meters.
  • The lights must be mounted at a height obetween 0.05 and 0.50 meter above the ground.

  Personal transporter requirements for reflectors :

  • White reflector pointing forwards at the front
  • One or more red reflectors pointing rearwards at the back
  • Orange reflector side reflectors
  • The reflectors must be mounte at a height between 0.05 and 0.50 meter above the ground.
  • Adhesive reflectors are allowed

  All further lighting requirements are here

  Personal transporters need to comply with the following dimensions:

  • Width: maximum 0.90 meter.
  • Length: maximum 1.35 meter.

  Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash.