Author Archives: LEVA EU

• Bafang M620, designed for the heavy-duty cargo bike market

  03/10/2022 17:22 Comments Off on Bafang M620, designed for the heavy-duty cargo bike market

  Source: Nieuwsfiets

  The latest market studies by major electric bicycle associations clearly show steady growth in the e-cargo bike sector, which will continue to increase in the coming years. LEVA-EU member Bafang is responding to this with the launch of the M620 mid-engine.

  In particular, the segment of heavy, commercially used e-cargo bikes (payload between 500 kg and 1 tonne) give many engineers a headache when choosing the most suitable and sustainable drive concept. Bafang is working intensively to develop solutions to meet the demands placed on these last-mile transport vehicles, which in turn help to meet global requirements for reducing CO2 emissions. Through exchange between the R&D department, users and manufacturers, Bafang has gained knowledge and insights for the effective research and development of its new technical milestone.

  Integrated differential, smooth reverse drive function

  Bafang has opted for a solution that is specifically aimed at use on chain- or belt-driven heavy-duty tricycles. Bafang creates entire systems that work in synergy for this application, for example, the powerful mid-engine M620, with a new 3-speed automatic gear hub, plus an integrated differential grid, and reverse gear. According to the Chinese manufacturer, these form the ideal system solution in combination with a powerful and reliable mid-mounted motor.

  WWW.BAFANG-E.COM

  

• ‘Cycle’ B2C subscription service launches in Berlin – featuring LEVA-EU member Rad Power Bikes

  17:11 Comments Off on ‘Cycle’ B2C subscription service launches in Berlin – featuring LEVA-EU member Rad Power Bikes

  Source: SAZ Bike, T. Lambert

  The e-bike rental service Henry Mobility (Berlin), which previously specialized in the commercial sector, is now also aimed at end customers. The subscription service under the name ‘Cycle’ starts in Berlin.

  Rad Power Bikes have paired up with Cycle to provide two cargo bikes for the pilot project: Radrunner and Radwagon. The subscription will be priced at EUR 79.90 per month, with a choice between monthly rentals or a cheaper annual contract.

  Compared to other cargo bikes, Rad Power’s offering may seem small, but with their robust luggage racks at the front and rear and the high payload of 136 and 156 kilograms, they offer significantly more transport options than conventional bicycles.

  Included in the service are maintenance, insurance, and workshop appointments – all available via the smartphone app. Having previously only catered to B2B clients, the service’s launch in Berlin is a new B2C venture, with the potential to expand into additional European cities.

  

• Forest in Aarhus, Denmark, implements ‘RopeLight’ infrastructure

  15:51 Comments Off on Forest in Aarhus, Denmark, implements ‘RopeLight’ infrastructure

  Source: Fietsberaad

  RopeLight is a continuous LED light strip that lines the forest’s cycle path, installed as part of the BITS project to improve safety and offer a new cycling experience.

  In the Aarhus location, the installation of regular street lights would have been difficult, leading to a poorly-lit route. The newly installed RopeLight infrastructure guides the cyclist on the path through the forest in the dark hours.

  The LEDs’ color schemes can be altered according to the season or to highlight events and other initiatives. Creators of RopeLight hope that this will add a level of excitement when traveling the route. Additionally, the LEDs can be dimmed to ensure a light level that allows cyclists to benefit from the solution while not being overwhelmed by the light.

  BITS is a four-year project within the European Interreg, in which several countries work together to increase bicycle use and safety through ITS applications.

  

• Research: The effect of e-biking on older adults’ health and lifestyle

  15:46 Comments Off on Research: The effect of e-biking on older adults’ health and lifestyle

  Source: Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

  In the first prospective observational study on this topic, researchers aimed to examine the effects of starting to e-bike on total and conventional biking frequencies, walking for transport, self-rated health, functionality, and life space area.

  The key observation found by researchers was a large increase in total biking frequency amongst those that started e-biking, while frequencies decreased in those who did e-bike at both time points, did not e-bike at both time points, and stopped e-biking. Conventional biking frequency decreased in all groups.

  No effects were observed on walking for transport, self-rated health, and life space area. Functionality tended to decrease in all groups, except among those who stopped e-biking for whom no change in functionality was observed.

  The conclusion reached is that e-bikes offer older adults the possibility to increase their biking levels and potentially extend their life on a bike.

  Find the full research article via Science Direct, here.

  

• E-bikes get more Dutch commuters into the saddle – KiM

  13:14 Comments Off on E-bikes get more Dutch commuters into the saddle – KiM

  Source: fietsberaad

  Increasing amounts of Dutch people are investing in electric bikes to travel to and from their place of work. Researchers at the Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy (KiM) expect this trend to continue, though it is noted that e-bikes primarily replace traditional bicycles.

  Due to the possibility of faster travel with less effort, the number of new electric bicycles has been on the rise since 2018, overtaking the sales of regular touring and city bicycles. In 2021, approximately 52% of the 923,000 new bicycles sold were e-bikes. The number of electric bicycle owners, estimated at 3.6 million in 2021, will continue to grow in the coming years, conclude the KiM researchers in their report on the purchase and use of e-bikes.

  More than 1 in 5 Dutch citizens that do not yet own an e-bike plan to purchase one within the next 5 years, including a large group that plans to use the technology for their home-work journey.

  With working Dutch people willing, on average, to travel up to half an hour via e-bike, approx. 10km, about 60% of all commutes could be replaced by this transport type. Included in this group are those who would be unable to cycle without electrical assistance, opening up a whole new segment of two-wheeled commuters that can now enjoy active travel.

  Due to the growth in e-bike ownership, KiM expects that e-bike use will grow by approximately 45-70% over a period of 5 years, from 2019 to 2024. Part of that growth is at the expense of traditional bicycle use. The total distance traveled by bicycle is expected to increase by 6-8% as a result of an increase in e-bike ownership. This does not take into account other factors influencing use, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or economic and demographic developments.

  The researchers believe – partly on the basis of previous research – that increased e-bike ownership will probably lead to a decrease in car use, but they cannot determine with certainty to what extent.

  

• LEVA-EU is Hiring! Junior Policy Officer EU Affairs (Sustainable Mobility)

  13:07 Comments Off on LEVA-EU is Hiring! Junior Policy Officer EU Affairs (Sustainable Mobility)

  LEVA-EU is now recruiting for the role of ‘Junior Policy Officer EU Affairs (Sustainable Mobility)’. This job offers a unique opportunity to get acquainted and gain experience from the front row in European advocacy through direct contacts with the European Commission, and European Parliament… This is a challenging, instructive job in an exciting and thriving sector.

  Find the full details via our job posting, here.

  

• Commuting upgrade: Brussels to Leuven cycling highway planned for 2025

  12:59 Comments Off on Commuting upgrade: Brussels to Leuven cycling highway planned for 2025

  Source: Mayor.eu, D. Balgaranov

  The new 16km highway (F29) will connect the two cities, providing a safer route for commuters to pursue more sustainable transportation options

  Recently announced by authorities in Belgium, a newly planned bicycle highway will connect the city of Leuven in Flanders to the country’s capital of Brussels. Many in the region already make the journey between the two cities as a part of their daily commute, thus, the project is likely to be positively received.

  The Flemish government aims to make the journey between the cities safer and faster, with construction starting next year and managed by The Werkvennootschap, a public works company. Additionally, the highway will link to the planned Brussels cycling ring, further connecting the wider city.

  Cycling Highways – a growing trend

  Bicycle highways have caught the attention of many governing bodies as of late, with projects announced across multiple regions. The infrastructure aims to handle the growing number of cycling commuters in a safe, efficient way. And, although most cities still do not have enough bike traffic to warrant the massive development, as Munich’s Deputy Mayor Katrin Habenschaden explained in a statement in May 2022: “If you sow cycling highways, you get cyclists.”

  

• Brussels’ ‘Car-Free Sunday’ leads to 90% drop in automobile-related pollution

  12:52 Comments Off on Brussels’ ‘Car-Free Sunday’ leads to 90% drop in automobile-related pollution

  Source: Mayor.eu, D. Balgaranov

  On 18th September 2022, Brussels instituted a no-cars Sunday as part of European Mobility Week. From 09:30 am to 19:00 pm, cars were prohibited from much of the city to prioritize walking, cycling, and public transport.

  Outside of cultural and holistic benefits, Bruxelles Environment, the city’s environment agency, measured a 90% reduction in nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, both of which are toxic substances emitted by combustion engines. Additionally, the city saw significant drops in noise levels, again seeing an approximate 90% decrease in typically congested areas; this further demonstrates what modern urban planners have been suggesting in recent years, “cities are not noisy, cars are noisy“

  “Authorities point out that yearly emissions have been going down since 2019, by about 10% per year. However, there is still a long way to go, since according to the European Environment Agency, in 2018, Belgium registered around 8,900 deaths caused by air pollution.”

  

• 70% of British adults consider e-bikes to be a better tool than EVs for reducing carbon emissions

  12:46 Comments Off on 70% of British adults consider e-bikes to be a better tool than EVs for reducing carbon emissions

  Source: BikeIsBest

  Research by BikeIsBest and the University of Westminster’s Active Travel Academy shows that the majority of attitudes in the UK toward e-bikes are positive. The study outlines a range of benefits and carbon reduction potential in comparison to electric vehicles (EVs).

  Conducted by YouGov, the study demonstrated broad support for e-bikes as a means of reducing carbon – even amongst those with no intention of purchasing one. Of adults who did not yet own an e-bike, one-fifth were considering purchasing one in the future, while 67% of participants stated cost as the largest single obstacle preventing purchase.

  The study touches on the potential of government policy to address this common barrier, such as subsidies or help-to-buy schemes. Whilst there is no national subsidy for e-bikes in the UK, there is for electric cars and motorbikes, despite these vehicles delivering lower health and carbon reduction benefits than e-bikes.

  The full study can be accessed here.

  The BikeIsBest campaign and Active Travel Academy highlight the following e-bike benefits in their latest report:

  Carbon emissions

  • According to research by Philips et al., “e-bikes are substantially lower emitters of carbon across their lifecycle when compared to both fossil-fuel and electric cars.”

  While e-bikes perform the same as battery electric vehicles in producing 0kg Scope 1 per km, research by Fyhri et al, states that they have substantially lower Scope 2 carbon emissions than electric vehicles due to their lower electrical power requirements. Additionally, when considering their full lifecycle emissions, including manufacture, maintenance, and disposal activities, e-bikes are substantially lower emitters of carbon in comparison to both fossil fuel and electric cars. According to the report prepared by #BikeIsBest and the Active Travel Academy, achieving widespread use of e-bikes as well as conventional bikes could replace three million car trips to work, and 10% of carbon emissions from commuting.

  Health

  • As stated in the transportation research by Castro et al., “E-bike users and users of conventional bicycles have comparable overall levels of physical activity, because e-bike users take longer trips.”

  The health benefits of e-bikes are similar to those of conventional bicycles. The physical activity required to ride e-bikes is less than that of bicycles; thanks to electrical assistance, riders can sustain a moderate cycling speed at a comfortable level of exertion across a range of otherwise challenging riding situations. Adding to this, e-bikes emit less particulate pollution than electric cars and thus have a positive impact on local air pollution.

  Economy

  • “Enabling more people to commute to work using e-bikes would increase life-expectancy and reduce absenteeism, with a potential health economic benefit of £2.2 billion per year,” according to the #BikeIsBest report.

  E-bikes present potential economic benefits besides those associated with improved health and reduced carbon. According to the #BikeIsBest and the Active Travel Academy report, in 2019, road congestion imposed an average of 115 hours of lost time to the average UK driver. This congestion is largely due to the lack of road space, which could be freed up if more space-efficient solutions were adopted, such as e-bikes. This not only applies to cars, but also, according to research by Verlinghieri et al., the use of (e)-cargo bikes could counteract even more congestion by replacing LGVs.

  Widening cycle use

  • According to the #BikeIsBest report, “because of their potential to reduce the physical exertion of cycling and therefore overcome barriers of fitness, topography, and proximity of housing to employment and other activities, users of e-bikes can encompass a wider diversity of age, gender, physical fitness and economic demographics than conventional bicycles.”

  E-bikes make it easy and practical for more people to make a wider range of trips by bike. A Swiss study found that middle-income groups were just as likely to use a conventional bike as an e-bike, both high- and low-income groups were more likely to use an e-bike (Rérat, 2021). This suggests that whilst e-bikes may appeal to higher earners as an additional transport option, they are also used by those on lower incomes as an alternative to more expensive transport options. As stated in research by Philips et al., e-bikes have been identified as a means to alleviate the economic vulnerability to increased motoring costs for those living in areas in the UK of high car dependency and low income. Adding to this, the research also suggests that e-bikes could appeal more to people of different ages and genders – as opposed to the predominantly male appeal of conventional bicycles.