Author Archives: LEVA EU

• Drones to aid in dangerous traffic situations

  05/06/2023 19:54 Comments Off on Drones to aid in dangerous traffic situations

  Source: Fietsberaad Crow

  According to numerous Flemish pilot schemes, drones can be used to assess dangerous traffic conditions and aid cyclists on their journeys. The concept is accurate, cheap and fast and a notable step forward.

  

  The research was first reported upon by HLN’s daily newspaper, VeloVeilig Vlaanderen, in collaboration with VTM Nieuws. Their audiences were asked to supply information on dangerous cycling situations, and this was assessed in line with government directions into ways to tackle any problems. The Mobility Innovative Approach was introduced whereby drones were launched to map the problem areas.

  The drones took to the sky for an hour during the morning and evening rush hours, supplying images from a height of approximately 70 metres. Researchers have been able to accurately analyse the images from the drones, thanks to developed software that can distinguish between pedestrians, cyclists, cars, trucks and buses and determine their position and speed. Movements of each are relayed as coloured lines that supply accurate logistics data.

  Tom Brijs, traffic expert at Hasselt University and part of the research team, commented, “Thanks to the drone images, we discovered, among other things, that in the morning almost 40 percent of the drivers drove faster than the permitted speed of 30 kilometres per hour, in the afternoon this was even 63 percent. We could also see that a striking number of children run across the street in a place that is not actually a crossing, and that they cycle on the footpath.”

  This particular data led to changes in the crossing site for children and serves as a positive example of the research’s benefits.

• UK Transport Minister questioned on e-scooter legislation delay

  19:40 Comments Off on UK Transport Minister questioned on e-scooter legislation delay

  Source: Zag Daily

  The regulation of private e-scooters continues to be a discussed topic, one on which UK Transport Minister Jesse Norman believes more data and public consultation is required.

  

  During a Transport Select Committee hearing, UK Transport Minister Jesse Norman was questioned by MPs about the next government steps. Norman’s response was that the department still requires, “non-pandemic large-scale e-scooter usage data” in addition to the public’s views on any legislation. Norman continued, “We need to talk to people and say, ‘Look, here are insurance alternatives. What do you think? Here’s the evidence on helmets. What do you think? Here’s the evidence on safety. What do you think? We certainly don’t have a consolidated basis of consultative evidence.”

  In response, opposing Labour MP for Exeter, Ben Bradshaw, commented that enough time has already been spent: “I think the government wants to regulate and agrees with us on this. I don’t think you’re getting a lot of opposition, so please just get on with it.”

  According to Norman, the decision on when to send the Transport Act to Parliament is currently being considered by MPs: “It wouldn’t be an immediate action even if there was time in Parliament now. But even if that were available, there are still several intermediate steps, potentially another round of consultation, an extension of some trial work, more focused trial work potentially, before we get to that stage.”

  Safety concerns are being considered alongside the benefits of e-scooters that include connecting communities hampered by public transport. Norman talked of a balance that was required, further commenting, “My goal is to continue to push ahead with this, pull out the lessons we’re getting on the issues I’ve raised and then try to put them in front of the public to have a proper conversation about it and take that debate forward another stage.”

  E-scooter legislation

  In May 2022, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport (DfT) Baroness Vere of Norbiton, announced that the UK Government would be creating a new low-speed zero-emission vehicle category and the bill would be submitted in the current parliamentary session. However, last December, the DfT postponed the Transport Bill details, part of the forthcoming Future of Transport legislation. Trials are now extended to May 2024.

• Carla Cargo roadshow & Eurobike

  19:31 Comments Off on Carla Cargo roadshow & Eurobike

  Source: CARLA CARGO

  LEVA-EU member Carla Cargo supports roadshow showcasing commercial cargo bikes for the South Baden region

  

  BADENOVA INNOVATION FUND PROMOTES ALTERNATIVE MOBILITY
  The green and social delivery expert!

  From May to July 2023, the Lastenrad-B2B roadshow will stop at ten municipalities in the South Baden region. Up to ten cargo bikes and trailers will be available for test rides, and the Lastenrad-B2B team will provide advice and needs analyses. Subsequently, municipalities and businesses can test suitable cargo bikes for their purposes free of charge for up to four weeks in everyday business.

  LEVA-EU member, the cargo bike trailer innovator Carla Cargo, and the Freiburg-based booking platform sharee.bike as well as other partners will be present at all roadshow dates.

  Roadshow dates 2023

  • 23.5. Merzhausen
  • 5/24 Breisgau Industrial Park
  • 14.6. Kenzingen
  • 15.6. Offenburg
  • 27.6. Herbolzheim
  • 28.6. Bad Krozingen
  • 29.6. Breisach
  • 4.7. Kehl
  • 5.7. Riegel
  • 6.7. Freiburg

  CONTACT LASTENRAD B2B

  Carla Cargo will see you in Frankfurt at Eurobike!

  THE MOST INSPIRING PLATFORM FOR THE BICYCLE INDUSTRY, MESSE FRANKFURT 21. – 25. JUNE 2023

  

  Carla Cargo are looking forward to the great EUROBIKE show in Frankfurt from 21. – 25. June. Don’t miss coming by and taking a test ride on the Carla Cargo products at booth: F10.0 / D32

  FIND OUT MORE!

• France’s 2023-2027 Cycling and Walking Plan is Launched

  19:20 Comments Off on France’s 2023-2027 Cycling and Walking Plan is Launched

  The first “Cycling and walking” interministerial committee was held on May 5, 2023, by French Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne, to establish a real cycling culture.

  Source: French Government

  In the pursuit of ensuring all citizens have an eco-friendly transportation option, France recognises the importance of incorporating cycling and walking. The enthusiasm for this is evident, with a notable surge of 52% in the use of bicycle routes since 2017.

  The “Cycling and Walking Plan 2023-2027” sees the State investing 2 billion euros. “We will work with local authorities and hope that, alongside them, we will be able to invest 6 billion euros over the period,” said Élisabeth Borne.

  The plan targets three lines of action to make cycling and walking integral to the lifestyles of all French people:

  • Encouraging cycling from an early age.
  • Promote cycling as an alternative to conventional modes of transport.
  • Develop an economic and industrial cycle sector.

  1. Make cycling accessible to everyone, from an early age

  Objective: 850,000 children to be taught to ride a bicycle each year.

  Since 2019, 200,000 children have been trained by the “Know How to Ride a Bike” program.

  2. Make cycling and walking an alternative to private cars and public transport

  Objective: reach 80,000 km in 2027, and 100,000 km in 2030, of secure cycling facilities, including cycle lanes.

  250 million euros will be dedicated each year to accelerating the development of cycling facilities in France.

  By the end of 2022, 57,000 km of secure cycle facilities will be deployed across the country.

  3. Make cycling an economic lever by supporting French players in the sector

  Objective: the assembly of 1.4 million bicycles in France by 2027, and 2 million in 2030. To facilitate this, a call for projects will be launched in 2030.

  This new plan aims to promote innovation and structure a complete economic sector around the bicycle, from assembly to recycling.

• Associations in Germany call for different laws and better infrastructure instead of ‘More Respect’

  19:09 Comments Off on Associations in Germany call for different laws and better infrastructure instead of ‘More Respect’

  On World Bicycle Day on June 3rd, German associations Ecological Transport Club (VCD), the Association for Service and Bicycles (VSF) and Zukunft Fahrrad, the trade association for future bicycles, called for speedy reforms.

  Source: SAZ Bike

  On World Bicycle Day, German associations VCD, VSF, and Zukunft Fahrrad demanded more safety in road traffic, i.e. good infrastructure for bicycle and pedestrian traffic, modern road traffic laws, and the possibility of reducing the standard speed. The associations take a critical view of the new “More Attention” campaign launched by the Federal Ministry of Transport, and the German Road Safety Council. Although it promotes “good coexistence on roads and cycle paths”, it shifts the responsibility onto individuals.

  Among the demands are calls that the Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Volker Wissing, must overhaul the road traffic law and relinquish the bias towards the car. In addition, the legislature must reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h in built-up areas – this is also what 742 municipalities in the Alliance for Liveable Cities and Communities are demanding. The three associations want a safe infrastructure for everyone in traffic. This includes well-developed cycle paths and footpaths with safe crossings, and more consistent enforcement of the existing law.

  Reforms Instead of Posters

  Michael Müller-Görnert, traffic policy spokesman for the VCD, calls for rapid reforms instead of empty appeals: “Accidents are often caused by the high speed of cars. We don’t need a friendly recommendation to change that, but please drive carefully – we need a speed of 120km/h on the motorway, a speed of 80km/h on country roads and a speed of 30km/h in the city in hand to reduce the number of road deaths by changing the law. Instead, he just sticks with putting up posters.”

  The VSF managing director Uwe Wöll criticizes that #mehrAchtung (#MoreAttention) assigns the responsibility to all road users equally: “The campaign mentions the number of almost 2,800 dead and 300,000 injured a year. What is not mentioned, however, is that cars are involved in 75% of all accidents involving personal injury. This suggests, equality of means of transport, which in reality does not exist – those who walk or cycle are injured more often, but are much less likely to be responsible for serious accidents.”

  Elena Laidler-Zettelmeyer, Head of Strategic Cooperation for Zukunft Fahrrad: “Many people would like to cycle more. But they don’t because they don’t feel safe on the streets. A mindfulness campaign can only be a single component of a larger package of measures for more security. A real commitment to a fair distribution of space in favour of active mobility is needed. It remains the primary task of the politically responsible to ensure more safety through a better political framework so that everyone can participate in traffic on an equal footing.”

  VCD, VSF and Zukunft Fahrrad call on the Ministry of Transport to instate speed limits, and promote the expansion of safe cycle paths and footpaths. This would actually show people in traffic more respect.

• Meet LEVA-EU at Eurobike 2023

  11:54 Comments Off on Meet LEVA-EU at Eurobike 2023

  LEVA-EU will be participating in the upcoming Eurobike Show in Frankfurt with a stand located in Hall 8, an area exclusively dedicated to light electric mobility. The stand, number N02, will serve as a gathering place for LEVA-EU members, potential members, and other visitors eager to connect with the LEVA-EU team. Bilateral meetings at the LEVA-EU booth can be pre-booked. On Thursday, June 22nd, LEVA-EU will host an information meeting with a primary focus on standardization.

  If you are wondering how your company can benefit from joining LEVA-EU and what the associated costs are, if you have questions about EU regulations for electric bikes and other light electric vehicles (LEVs), and if you’d like to know how LEVA-EU’s network can provide interesting opportunities for your business then arrange an appointment with LEVA-EU manager, Annick Roetynck, and/or Technical Director, Bram Rotthier. Find them at stand number N02 in Hall 8 during Eurobike, where your inquiries can be discussed over a cup of coffee.

  To schedule a meeting directly, please click here: https://calendly.com/annick_leva-eu/eurobike-meeting

  During Eurobike on Thursday, June 22nd, LEVA-EU will host its traditional Information Meeting, primarily focusing on standardisation and the new Battery Regulation. More details regarding this Information are here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/650000227177

  We are looking forward to seeing you in Frankfurt!

  

• Dutch e-bike insurance market grows to €550 million

  29/05/2023 18:00 Comments Off on Dutch e-bike insurance market grows to €550 million

  In the past year, the Dutch spent €550 million on insuring their electric bicycles.

  Source: Multiscope

  On average, insurance costs €14 per month. The most popular provider in this insurance market is ANWB. Hybrid bicycles are most often insured (73%). This is evident from the third edition of the E-bike Monitor, a large-scale study by Multiscope among more than 5,000 Dutch people.

  Sharp increase in the e-bike insurance market

  The total e-bike insurance market currently has an annual value of €550 million. Last year it stood at €313 million. This increase is due to the growth in the number of e-bikes, and higher monthly insurance costs. On average, these costs currently amount to €14 per month. Insuring a hybrid bicycle is the most expensive, costing an average of €16 per month. 5% of e-bike owners report a bike having been stolen in the past.

  ANWB most popular insurer

  Most e-bikes are insured through ANWB. In addition to ANWB, ENRA, Kingpolis and Univé also occupy a large part of this insurance market. Unigarant, Allianz and Interpolis follow at some distance. It is striking that 13% of the Dutch do not know with whom their electric bicycle is insured.

  

  Hybrid bicycles most insured

  Six out of ten electric bicycles are insured. This share is remarkably higher for electric hybrid bicycles (73%). Electric cargo bikes and folding bikes, on the other hand, are insured less often, at 40% and 30% respectively. In general, it can be said that the higher the value of an electric bicycle, the more often it is insured.

  About Multiscope

  Multiscope is a specialist in online market research. We support companies and organizations in making the right decisions through online panels, market reports and innovative research solutions.

  The results in this press release come from the third edition of the E-bike Monitor, a large-scale survey of electric bicycles, electric scooters and light electric vehicles in the Netherlands. The survey surveyed 5,063 respondents aged 18 and over, representing the Dutch population.

• CAKE launches into Indian market

  17:40 Comments Off on CAKE launches into Indian market

  CAKE, the Swedish premium lightweight electric motorcycle manufacturer, has announced its partnership with Pepfuels, an ONGC-funded entity, under the brand name CollarEV, marking the company’s entry into the Indian market. This collaboration follows CAKE’s successful Asia expansion with Goldwin Inc in Japan and Kolon Automotive in South Korea.

  A limited collection of 250 CAKE Makkas constitutes the entry into India. The CAKE Makka is the first platform to be homologized for India and marks the starting point of additional models to follow. The initiative is brought forward by the founders of ONGC-funded entity Pepfuels with the brand name CollarEV.

  The first stage is initiated by a market entry campaign as the bikes are being shipped and meant to arrive during August, following a first-come, first-served basis. “It’s an exciting entry into one of the fastest-growing and largest electric two-wheeler markets, globally. The opportunity is immense, and we are humbly moving in with a step-by-step approach, to learn and do right,” says Stefan Ytterborn, CEO & Founder of CAKE.

  ONGC and Pepfuels founders express their enthusiasm for backing and supporting Pepfuels as they venture into the high-performance and premium electric bike segment in India. They believe that the future of transportation lies in clean and green energy and are committed to building a greener future for generations to come with the collaboration between CollarEV and CAKE.

  “We are thrilled to be backing and supporting Pepfuels as they venture into the high-performance and premium electric bike segment in India. We believe that the future of transportation lies in clean and green energy. We are taking CollarEV along with CAKE’s cutting-edge technology and are on the way to building a greener future for generations to come. We are incredibly proud to announce the CollarEV collaboration with CAKE to venture into the high-performance and premium electric bike segment in India, which is an untouched segment. We believe future synergies between CAKE and CollarEV will involve assembling and manufacturing CAKE’s existing models and developing new models for the Indian market,” commented Tikendra Yadav, CEO & Founder of Pepfuels.

  About CollarEV

  CollarEV, an ONGC-funded entity by Pepfuels, is dedicated to promoting clean transportation initiatives in India. Through this partnership, the companies aim to drive sustainable mobility solutions in the public sector. Known for its innovative fuel delivery systems, such as location-based fuel delivery, this commitment aligns with ONGC’s new dedication to environmental responsibility, making CollarEV a powerful force for green transportation in India.

  About CAKE

  CAKE is a Swedish maker of premium lightweight, electric motorcycles, and mopeds, with a clear mission to inspire towards a zero-emission society, by combining excitement and responsibility. The model range currently consists of five different platforms – the off-road beast Bukk, our versatile off-roader Kalk, the modular utility bike Ösa, the urban commuter Makka, and the strong and practical e-bike Åik. Thanks to an extensive range of accessories and configurations, CAKE is addressing a wide matrix of users and applications, including commercial use for last-mile delivery and other short-haul urban transportation. Along with numerous awards and recognitions for its design and innovative approach to mobility and other societal challenges, CAKE was identified as one of the world’s most innovative companies by Fast Company in both 2020 and 2021 and received the Time Magazine 100 most important inventions award in 2021.

  Explore with respect.

  Learn more about CAKE at ridecake.com

• International Transport Forum publishes ITF Transport Outlook 2023

  17:30 Comments Off on International Transport Forum publishes ITF Transport Outlook 2023

  The ITF Transport Outlook 2023 was launched on 24 May 2023 at the ITF Summit in Leipzig, Germany. This edition of the ITF Transport Outlook examines the impacts of different policy measures on global transport demand and carbon dioxide emissions to 2050.

  Source: International Transport Forum

  The analysis covers the movement of passengers and freight across all transport modes. A particular focus is placed on transport policies that make cities more liveable. A second focus is on infrastructure investment decisions and what different policy scenarios mean for them. As a third focus, the report explores regional differences in policy impacts.

  The analysis is based on two distinct scenarios for the future of transport, simulated with the ITF’s in-house transport models. The Current Ambition scenario assumes policies to decarbonise transport continue along their current pathway and considers the implications for transport demand, carbon dioxide emissions and further aspects over the next three decades. The High Ambition scenario assumes policies focused on accelerating the decarbonisation of the transport sector and their impact.

  View the English pdf of the ITF Transport Outlook 2023 here