Source: Fietsberaad Vlaanderen

The Dutch Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy (KiM) has published findings, based on literature and existing data, on the use of e-bikes in the Netherlands by children aged 6-11 and young people aged 12-17, either as passengers or riders. Use of e-bikes in these age groups has increased over recent years, with 25% using them at least a few times a week in 2024.

The results of KiM’s exploration are presented in the document “E-bike use by children and young people”, where they explore the use of e-bikes by these age groups, and what effects there may be on the topics of accessibility, sustainability, health, and road safety.

KiM’s research finds that young people in the 12-17 age range cycle further on e-bikes compared to non-electric variants – on average, 69% longer distances per trip. A portion of trip distances are of a length where it is questionable as to whether they would also make the same trip on a regular bike. For example, in 10% of e-bike rides in 2023, young people rode a distance of over 13 km, indicating that more destinations may be accessible by e-bike than regular bike. KiM points out that they were not able to distinguish between different types of e-bike, such as city bikes, cargo bikes or fat bikes.

The children reported in the document are assumed to be likely to be travelling on e-bikes primarily as passengers, either on the rear of an e-bike or in an electric cargo bike.

The need for further research

KiM states that there is at present limited information available, from which to draw conclusions regarding positive and negative effects of increasing e-bike use among these age groups, making it difficult to determine whether specific policies are required.

There is currently limited information available to draw conclusions regarding the positive and negative effects of increasing e-bike use among children and young people. This makes it difficult to determine whether specific policies are needed for e-bike use by these groups. In particular, little is known about whether e-bikes have a direct, causal effect on the travel behaviour of children and young people, both in the short term, and in the long term as they reach adulthood.

Road safety a prominent topic

The most widely covered topic in existing literature is road safety, KiM found. Findings include that 70% of young people on e-bikes sometimes exhibit risky behaviour, such as cycling on the pavement, or while wearing headphones. This proportion does not differ significantly from those riding regular bicycles.

Between 2020 and 2024, it was found that the number of young people presenting at the Emergency Department with significant injuries following an e-bike accident rose sharply. The reason for this is not yet clear, however it is suggested that part of the reported increase in Emergency Department visits is due to better registration of e-bike use during these visits to the Emergency Department than had previously been the case.

Observations from Flanders

Fietsberaad Vlaanderen, the Knowledge Centre for Cycling Policy in Flanders, notes no specific counts regarding e-bike use by young people are available. However, schools advise that e-bikes have a place in bike parking facilities. Ghent University (Bicycle Chair) and the Cyclists’ Union are planning a children’s bicycle count soon, in which Fietsberaad Vlaanderen will also participate and which could yield valuable new insights.