Amsterdam investigates intelligent speed adjustment e-bike technology
Cargo bikes seen as an alternative solution to the car in Germany
More e-bikes sold than standard bicycles for the first time in Germany
Mahle strengthens its 2024 event activities
RAPEX Warnings 2024
International Cargo Bike Festival announces new 2024 venue and dates
CityQ to replace car traffic with car-like e-bikes
Wisper Electric Bikes appoints new Technical Service Manager
Swifty co-founder reflects on the status of UK law for electric scooters
Author Archives: LEVA EU
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Amsterdam investigates intelligent speed adjustment e-bike technology
Comments Off on Amsterdam investigates intelligent speed adjustment e-bike technologySource: Fietsbaraad
The municipality of Amsterdam is working with telecom company, Odido, and the Townmaking Institute to explore the prospect of temporarily and/or locally limiting electric bicycle speeds in the city, to improve road safety in certain areas.
Intelligently reducing e-bike speed is a method that is being developed to improve safety in specific road scenarios, such as school zones, bad weather conditions, or road closures. In order for this technology to work effectively and ensure that required speeds are maintained, electric bikes would need to be connected to a communications network at all times.
The speed change technology has already been piloted on a closed circuit and the next stage of the project would be to test it on a busy cycle route. It has been reported that implementing this type of intelligent speed control for e-bikes on a large scale is likely to take a long time, as agreements need to be reached with the European Commission and electric bike manufacturers. There is also a need to gather evidence across the city on when and where cycling speeds need to be limited, and whether a maximum speed for cycle lanes would also be possible.
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Cargo bikes seen as an alternative solution to the car in Germany
Comments Off on Cargo bikes seen as an alternative solution to the car in GermanyA survey of German cargo bike users has revealed that they are viewed by some as a practical replacement for the car, with many noting the environment as the main reason for their choice.
Source: Fietsberaad
The Technical University of Berlin arranged for approximately 2,400 shared cargo bike users from Germany to participate in its questionnaire. Three-quarters of these respondents lived in a large city and about half did not own a car.
Results showed that 7-18% of respondents had either gotten rid of, or not bought, a car since they began using a cargo bike, with 80% of them citing the environment as their biggest reason, followed by half stating financial reasons, and over 40% stating that they weren’t interested in driving.
Study results also showed the cargo bike received better scores than the car on aspects such as environmental friendliness, raw material usage, greenhouse gas emissions, sense of freedom, flexibility, and price. Meanwhile, the car scored higher on functional aspects including road safety, speed, comfort, and weather dependence.
The results of this study were published in January for the scientific journal Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behavior.
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More e-bikes sold than standard bicycles for the first time in Germany
Comments Off on More e-bikes sold than standard bicycles for the first time in GermanySource: ZIV
German bicycle industry association, ZIV, has recently presented positive findings from its 2023 report on the German bicycle market.
ZIV’s CEO Burkhard Stork has highlighted great results for the German industry, despite the region experiencing a negative consumer climate, “Despite the current economic situation, bicycles and e-bikes remain very popular among consumers.”
Bicycle sales and production levels high, with e-bikes leading the charge
ZIV has reported that German bicycle production and sales figures have once again reached very high levels in 2023, similar to those of 2020, when COVID-19 effects prompted a surge in bicycle popularity. Notably, report findings reveal that e-bikes are driving the industry for most product categories, and have overtaken standard bicycle sales for the first time ever; with electric bikes holding a 53% share of the market (with sales of 2.1 million), and non-electric bicycles accounting for 43% of sales (1.9 million units sold). In 2022 the conventional bicycle occupied 52% of sales with e-bikes trailing at 48%.
High bicycle demand in Germany reflected by sales figures
Sales figures for bicycles (electric and non-electric) remained at the considerably high amount of €7.06 billion for last year. “Overall, the market data shows very clearly that people in Germany greatly value cycling in everyday life and recreation, along with the associated high-quality products,” says ZIV CEO Burkhard Stork. That data shows that although Germany experienced a difficult 2023 consumer climate, German citizens still recognised the need for high-quality, innovative bicycle technology from retail specialists, with schemes such as employer bicycle leasing also being a popular purchasing solution in Germany’s economic context.
ZIV predicts a positive outlook for Germany’s bicycle industry
ZIV CEO Burkhard Stork believes that economic, environmental and health benefits will continue to boost bicycle demand in Germany, saying: “The rising mobility, energy, rent and living costs, coupled with a growing environmental and health awareness, are conditions that boost the popularity of bicycles and e-bikes – both now and undoubtedly also in the future. Policymakers mustn’t forget bicycles and must finally fully recognise their potential.”
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Mahle strengthens its 2024 event activities
Comments Off on Mahle strengthens its 2024 event activitiesMAHLE SmartBike Systems expands its activities in the industry, attending several major Bike Festivals in 2024, including a few in collaboration with its partners around the world.
At all these events, MAHLE will be presenting technologies and innovations for the eBike industry. This includes the cutting-edge X20 and X35+ Systems, newly launched accessories, like the e185 Range Extender, and the latest features added in My SmartBike App.
Its experts will be on-site to explain in detail the products and the technology that support MAHLE systems, and once again will offer booth visitors the opportunity to test the most innovative eBikes in the market, ePowered with MAHLE SmartBike Systems.
MAHLE will be in attendance at the following Bike Festivals:
Ebikedays: April 26-28, 2024, München, Germany.
Bike Festival Garda Trentino: May 02-05, 2024, Riva del Garda, Italy.
Eurobike: July 03-07, 2024, Frankfurt, Germany.
Sea Otter Europe: September 20–22, Girona, Spain.
ROC D’Azur: October 10-13, Fréjus, France.This 2024 event activity is reinforced with MAHLE’s participation in B2B exhibitions in collaboration with its distribution partners.
The season started with Velofollies, 2024 with partner Codagex, and continued with participaction in Cycling World Europe on March 15-17, Düsseldorf, Germany with Sport Import.
Attending these events aligns with the brand’s mission to bring MAHLE SmartBike Systems technology closer to users, who can visit the MAHLE booth to improve their riding experience. Learn more.
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RAPEX Warnings 2024
Comments Off on RAPEX Warnings 2024The Rapid Exchange of Information System is the EU rapid alert system for unsafe consumer products and the measures taken by the member states to deal with that safety problem. The Commission publishes a weekly overview of RAPEX notifications. Below you will find notifications relating to light electric vehicles. To consult the full details of a notification on the Commission’s website, just click on the week.
Week Brand Type Week 11 Babboe Model: Mini-E
Risk Type: Injuries
Measures ordered by public authorities (to: Other) Recall of the product from end usersBabboe Model: City-E
Risk Type: Injuries
Measures ordered by public authorities (to: Other) Recall of the product from end usersWeek 8 Product: Electric Motorcycle Cake Model: Kalk&, Kalk INK&, Kalk:work, Kalk Ink SL, Kalk INK, Kalk INK Race, Kalk OR, Kalk OR Race, Kalk AP
Risk Type: Fire
Measures taken by economic operators (Manufacturuer): Recall of the product from end usersWeek 4 Product: Electric Scooter VSETT Model: VSETT 10+pro
Risk Type: Electric Shock, Injuries
Measures taken by economic operators (Importer): Recall of the product from end users. Date of entry into force 20/12/2023. -
International Cargo Bike Festival announces new 2024 venue and dates
Comments Off on International Cargo Bike Festival announces new 2024 venue and datesThe International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) will take place at Jaarbeurs Utrecht, Utrecht on 25-26th October 2024
Source: Cargo Bike Festival
The International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF) has announced its 2024 venue and dates: it will take place in Utrecht, the 4th largest city in the Netherlands, 40 km south of Amsterdam, where the ICBF 2023 event was held.
Utrecht has a population of 360,000 and is known for being an important hub for national & international transport networks. It’s a globally renowned bike-friendly city that has admirable cycling infrastructure, including its multi-storey bike parking facility, which is reportedly the largest in the world.
ICBF says Utrecht is one of the most cargo bike-friendly places in the world and it can’t wait to show everyone on a global stage. The city has numerous cargo bike schemes, and many of its citizens use this mode of transport.
New venue, new partnerships
ICBF’s 2023 event was hosted at the same location as Fully Charged’s Home Energy and Electric Mobility show, but they will not be collaborating for this year’s event due to a date change for Fully Charged’s show, making ICBF a standalone event for 2024.
The International Cargo Bike Festival has also announced that it will be working with Dutch Cycling Week for 2024, and exploring more of its possibilities in the years ahead. Dutch Cycling Week is a Utrecht-based cycling knowledge platform that aims to become the world’s largest platform for increasing bicycle awareness levels, policy making and usage.
ICBF has confirmed there will be plenty of opportunities at the 2024 show for cargo bike and cycling-related companies to showcase their offerings through its expo, test-track, presenting on stage, or numerous online and offline sponsorship and promotional options that are on offer.
Save the dates
The ICBF team are compiling information to release to visitors and exhibitors as soon as they can, and in the meantime invites everyone to stay updated by signing up to its mailing list, and keeping an eye on ICBF Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads and Twitter social media channels.
Previous 2023 show presentations can be viewed on YouTube. ICBF also looks forward to unveiling a new website revamp and rolling out the 2nd issue of its own magazine, Carrier. Carrier Issue 01 can be accessed here.
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CityQ to replace car traffic with car-like e-bikes
Comments Off on CityQ to replace car traffic with car-like e-bikesA range of futuristic car-like e-bikes will be available this year in cities across Europe
London, UK, March 11th 2024: Cities across Europe looking to reduce congestion and pollution by imposing limitations to car traffic will be faced with a potential solution this year. Mobility technology startup CityQ is ramping up production of its game-changing ‘car-like e-bikes’, making both cargo and passenger models available in the UK, Germany, Benelux and Scandinavia in 2024.
Purpose-built with seating for multiple passengers, cargo capacity, weather protection and a futuristic digital powertrain, CityQ’s four wheeled e-bikes are unique because they retain true car like capabilities whilst being considerably lighter, more manoeuvrable, and more sustainable than an EV.
For cities, car like e bikes help cut pollution and congestion and for consumers, they deliver safe, door-to-door all-weather mobility without needing a license, insurance, or vehicle registration.
Charging at home without reliance on public EV infrastructure and offering unmatched stability and storage, the e-bikes provide a viable alternative to automobile ownership. Compared to EVs, CityQ e-bikes are allowed in bike lanes, take up significantly less road and can park for free together with other bikes.
With a net weight of only 120kg, they are the lightest car like vehicle available, and produce a fraction of the emissions of an EV, whilst requiring no costly car-charging infrastructure. When comparing total carbon footprint (from vehicle construction and emissions from a lifetime of use) CityQ e-bikes are approximately 90% more sustainable than ICE vehicles and 80% more sustainable than EVs.
The e-bikes have a range of 110 km using two swappable batteries and can handle moderate inclines of 20% gradients while loaded with up to 250 kg of cargo or people, with light pedalling effort. Their top speed is 25 km/h, typical for e-bikes due to regulation laws.
With Europe facing crippling pollution and congestion and underdeveloped public EV charging networks, the e bikes CityQ has produced to date have become hugely popular, with demand outstripping supply.
CityQ’s CEO Morten Rynning said:
“Cities don’t need to wait for autonomous vehicles, flying drones or new infrastructure to get less car traffic and pollution. This will come naturally by welcoming the innovation within downsized electric vehicles such as micro cars, micro mobility and CityQ. Our first revolutionary cargo e-bikes – have already been embraced by experts and global customers and thousands have reached out to test or order our family e-bike which is expected to be released this year. We will be the first company to successfully bridge the gap between cars and e-bikes – for all types of transport in inner cities.“
According to the European Environment Agency, approximately 40% of EU urban dwellers are exposed to harmful levels of air pollution, primarily caused by road transportation. It is also estimated that each year, congestion costs in Europe amount to €100 billion, about 1% of the EU’s GDP. Without effective action, the problem could worsen, with congestion costs projected to increase to €200 billion by 2050. Experts like McKinsey expect that such super light, small electric vehicles can transform urban mobility, representing a $100bn global market by 2030.
CityQ’s e-bikes boast car-like seating, weather protection, safety features and a reverse gear for improved portability. Equally suited for delivery services, maintenance crews, shared platforms, families or daily commuters, the versatile e-bikes are simple and convenient to use.
So far CityQ has raised over €3 million in early-stage funding as it has developed its innovative products and built up its manufacturing capacity. Its cargo models will launch in Spring 2024, with passenger versions available in the autumn. The initial launch markets are Germany, Benelux, UK and Scandinavia and pre-orders are now open.
At this early stage, CityQ are offered at prices starting just above €11k. As production ramps up there will also be lower cost models fitting private families and attractive leasing offering for corporations offering incentive programs towards their employees.
Images of CityQ’s range of e bikes can be downloaded from here.
About CityQ
CityQ is a Norwegian and German mobility technology startup that designs and produces a range of the most sustainable light electric vehicles with car-like feeling for urban transportation. Their new 4-wheel ebikes combine software-driven electric powertrain innovations and purpose-built vehicle design to develop e-bike alternatives to cars and traditional bicycles. The company currently develops and manufactures its e-bike in Germany, and will offer the vehicles initially in the UK, Germany, Benelux and Scandinavia.
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Wisper Electric Bikes appoints new Technical Service Manager
Comments Off on Wisper Electric Bikes appoints new Technical Service ManagerWisper expects the addition of Mike Crossman will help the brand maintain its leading customer and dealer support.
E-bike brand Wisper Electric Bikes is delighted to announce the arrival of Mike Crossman to its team, it anticipates its new manager (who holds nearly 20 years of cycling industry experience ranging from shop mechanic to area sales manager) will help cement the brand’s reputable support system.
Wisper’s CEO David Miall said the following about the new appointment: “We are thrilled to have Mike joining us as his passion for the bike industry and pre-existing strong relationships with members of our dealer network, will help to drive Wisper forward into what we feel will be a very exciting time for the company.”
Crossman will replace Adrian Wietrizk, who has been in the position for over 5 years.
About Wisper Bikes
Wisper Electric Bikes are a dedicated team of bicycle enthusiasts based in the village of Kemsing near Sevenoaks in Kent. The business fervently believes electric bicycles are hugely significant in the fight to reduce congestion and pollution in villages, towns and cities.
The business also sees the electric bike as great fun, enhancing the joys of cycling, something which makes this mode of transport more accessible to everyone, whether looking for a bike to commute to work, ride around town, get fit and healthy, or simply to enjoy the countryside.
One of the pioneers in the e-bike industry, Wisper has been developing e-bicycles for nearly 20 years. Every e-bike in the Wisper range comes with a five-year frame warranty and a two-year parts and battery warranty, providing customers with complete peace of mind. In addition, the Wisper after-sales team is recognised as one of the very best in the industry, providing high levels of service and care for customers’ bikes.
Developed in the UK built in Portugal
All Wisper bikes have been designed and developed in the UK, whilst the Portugal-based Wisper team builds the bikes to the brand’s high standards.
This care and attention to detail, combined with 99% of bikes being sold via the Wisper dealer network, ensures the brand maintains its “Excellent” 4.7 / 5 rating on Trustpilot – the highest ranking of any e-bike brand in the UK.
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Swifty co-founder reflects on the status of UK law for electric scooters
Comments Off on Swifty co-founder reflects on the status of UK law for electric scootersCamilla Iftakhar, the co-founder of LEVA-EU member Swifty Scooters, examines the road-legal status of electric scooters under UK law
In short, there are paradoxes around the status of privately-owned electric scooters in the UK. Camilla Iftakhar points out that it is “legal to buy an electric scooter, it’s legal to sell an electric scooter, but it’s not yet legal to ride an electric scooter on the road (unless it is a rented one covered by e-scooter trials).” The law also allows the use of electric scooters on privately-owned land.
Camilla points out that electric scooters are currently classed as a ‘motor vehicle’ but are commonly designed to align with cycles. Motor vehicles require a number plate, tax, MOT, insurance and a driving license, under UK law.
With numerous changes to personnel at the top level of UK politics in the last few years, it seems that a promising Future Transport Bill which was announced in the 2022 Queen’s Speech has fallen by the wayside. This bill had been set to create a new vehicle class for electric scooters. However in the King’s Speech the following year, the Future Transport Bill was replaced by the Automated Vehicle Bill, leaving electric scooters falling into the gap.
Camilla points out that light electric vehicles, including electric scooters, have great potential in the fight for emissions reduction. Research results published in the 2022 LEV Climate Study reveal that a shift to LEVs for short trips, from ICE cars and EVs, results in a substantial potential emissions reduction of 44%.
Camilla has noticed other items which may result in changes to the way electric scooters are legally viewed. These include a proposal that they are viewed as “cycles” in the Road Traffic Offenses (Cycling) Bill, and a consultation, Smarter regulation: proposed changes to legislation for electrically assisted pedal cycles, which proposes that EAPCs (e-bikes) could have an increased motor power limit, from 250W to 500W. As most electric scooters have a 350W or 500W motor, Camilla speculates that this could be in preparation for e-scooter rules, however it is not clear whether that is part of the consideration behind the consultation.
Camilla concludes on an optimistic note: “Let’s hope that the new government have the foresight to include these clean, inclusive, equitable and joyful vehicles in their manifesto!”
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