Tag Archive: Amsterdam

  1. Amsterdam grants temporary speed limit increase for cyclists

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    Source: Fietsberaad

    From April 18, fast cyclists in Amsterdam will have the opportunity to utilise a designated section of roadway spanning 500 meters for a duration of three months. This trial will occur along Eerste Constantijn Huijgensstraat and Bilderdijkstraat. The suggested speed limit on the cycle path remains at 20 kilometres per hour, while those desiring a quicker pace can opt for the lane.

    The trial stems from the winning entry of the Amsterdam Bike City Innovation Lab in 2022. Conceived by visual artist Wichert van Engelen, the idea proposes three distinct speed limits: 10 km/h for sidewalks, 20 km/h for cycle paths, and 30 km/h for roads, applicable to all modes of transportation. This initiative aims to mitigate different speeds on the cycle path.

    The municipal authorities, in collaboration with the Amsterdam Transport Region, selected the Eerste Constantijn Huijgensstraat and Bilderdijkstraat area for its high volume of bicycle traffic and the presence of a narrow cycle path segregated from the road. With overtaking proving challenging on this path due to increasing speed disparities, this choice becomes imperative.

    Melanie van der Horst, the traffic councillor, states “I hear more and more Amsterdam residents, young and old, who no longer dare to cycle in the city. I don’t want that to happen. We have previously successfully moved moped riders to the road, making the cycle path quieter. But due to the rapid rise of various electric bicycles, it is now more necessary to make room on the cycle path for people who drive slower.“

    Until July 19, cyclists exceeding the 20 kilometres per hour threshold will have access to the road, where the maximum speed limit is set at 30 kilometres per hour. The designated test zone between Overtoom and Kinkerstraat will be clearly delineated. Throughout the trial period, the municipality will monitor cyclist behaviour on the road, assess the interaction between car and bicycle traffic, and evaluate the impact on cycle path congestion. Road users will have the opportunity to provide feedback through an online questionnaire, and the municipality will conduct on-site interviews with cyclists. The results are expected at the end of this year.

  2. E-cargo bikes available to borrow for transporting bulky waste in Amsterdam

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    Source: Fietsberaad.nl

    Since October, Amsterdam has been offering its residents electric cargo bikes to deposit their rubbish.

    The bikes are a solution for the 75% of Amsterdam’s citizens who don’t own a car, they can be borrowed for taking old items and rubbish to be recycled at four recycling centers around the city.

    The e-cargo bikes can only be borrowed to transport bulky or garden waste up to 300 kg for a maximum of three hours a day. They are free to use and are insured against all risks. Those wanting to use a cargo bike for this purpose will have to book it in advance online to get instructions from an employee at the recycling point.

    The four recycling centers currently receive around 1-4 requests to borrow a cargo bike per week, with the most popular one situated on Henk Sneevlietweg.

  3. Amsterdam investigates intelligent speed adjustment e-bike technology

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    Source: 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.

  4. E-bikes are gaining ground in commuting in South Limburg

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    Source: Fietsberaad Crow

    An annual measurement by Zuid Limburg Bereikbaar shows an increase in the number of people using e-bikes and speed pedelecs for commuting between 2022 and 2023.

    The Clustered Effect Measurement 2023 asked more than 8,000 respondents, employed at Zuid-Limburg Bereikbaar (ZLB) and participants in the ZLB panel, about their commuting and work from home habits.

    The results showed that in 2023, almost 30% of commuting trips in South Limburg were made by bicycle, e-bike, or speed pedelec. The percentage of trips commuted by bicycle was higher for those working at ZLB than the general population for the region. Maastricht has the largest share of the modal split for bikes and e-bikes. The share of commuting bike rides from Maastricht as a place of residency is 60% and 37% as a work area.

    The share of e-bikes and speed pedelecs in the modal split for commuting has increased from 9% to 14% between 2022 to 2023. These changes indicate a clear switch from car to electric bike for people’s commutes. In 2023 trips up to 15km were made more often by e-bike and less often by car, however there is still potential to increase cycling for this distance. One of the recommendations is to continue the #posifiets campaign, as this appears to have made a significant contribution to reducing the number of car journeys.

  5. New bicycle chair starts in February

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    Source: Fiets Berad

    Cycling professor, Dr. Meredith Glaser, appointed as academic expert for more and safer bicycle traffic in Flanders

    Dr. Meredith Glaser, an expert in sustainable mobility from the University of Amsterdam (UvA), has been appointed as the inaugural chair holder for the newly established Bicycle Chair at Ghent University. This initiative, spearheaded by Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters, aims to bolster Flanders’ ambitious cycling policy with academic knowledge and insights.

    The significance of cycling as a mode of transportation has increased significantly in recent years, accompanied by substantial investments in cycling infrastructure in Flanders. To further support this positive trend with scientific research, a new Bicycle Chair will be launched at Ghent University, with financial and substantive support from the Flemish government. The academic work that the chair will produce this is will contribute to mobility policy and social debate on bicycle mobility in Flanders. Dr. Meredith Glaser, the appointed chair holder, will engage in various course units at Ghent University and work closely with stakeholders involved in Flemish cycling policy.

    Dr. Meredith Glaser: Internationally Renowned Cycling Expert

    Dr. Glaser, an American with approximately 15 years of experience in spatial planning, transport, and mobility, brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Having earned her master’s degree in urban planning and public health from the University of California Berkeley, and her doctorate in spatial planning from the University of Amsterdam (UvA), she has established herself as a leading figure in the field. Dr. Glaser currently serves as the executive director of the non-profit organization Urban Cycling Institute and is a lecturer at the Faculty of Society & Behavior at the UvA. Her collaboration with renowned Dutch cycling expert Prof. Dr. Marco te Brömmelstroet underscores her international standing in the realm of cycling policy.

    Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters expressed her enthusiasm for Dr. Glaser’s appointment, highlighting the need for robust research and scientific insights to advance cycling policy in Flanders. Dr. Glaser herself emphasized the growing recognition of cycling’s potential to address various societal challenges, stressing the importance of translating academic research into tangible policy initiatives.

    Prof. Frank Witlox of the Geography Department at Ghent University praised Dr. Glaser’s credentials and expressed anticipation for their collaboration, emphasizing her profound dedication to the field of cycling.

    Elevating Cycling Policy through Scientific Research

    As a part-time visiting professor, Dr. Glaser will conduct scientific research on several specific themes, including bicycle safety, influencing bicycle behaviour and use, and the development of smart technology to enhance cycling comfort and safety. These themes have been selected in consultation with a supervisory committee comprising representatives from Ghent University, the Department of Mobility and Public Works, and the knowledge center Fietsberaad Vlaanderen.

    Financial support from the Flemish government

    Financial backing from the Flemish government has facilitated the establishment of the Bicycle Chair, situated within the Geography department of Ghent University’s Faculty of Science. The chair, set for a three-year tenure, comprises the appointment of a part-time visiting professor and a half-time scientific employee. The initiative receives a subsidy of a maximum €249,999 from the Flemish government to sustain its operations and cover the wage costs of employees.

    What is a chair?

    Companies, organizations, or individuals that want to finance scientific research or education on specific themes can do so through a chair. It is a form of collaboration with the university on new developments in domains that are important to society.

  6. Amsterdam introduces 30 km/h speed limit with awareness campaign

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    Source: Eltis

    80% of Amsterdam’s streets set to switch from 50 km/h to 30 km/h zones from December 8th.

    To help ease the transition to the lower speed limit, the city rolled out an information campaign in the affected streets during the time leading up to the change. Temporary road sign stickers reading “December 8, 30 km/h here” have been in place, allowing drivers to become accustomed to the revised speed limit in good time.

    In addition to the speed limit change, local government is also implementing changes to traffic lanes. Special public transport lanes have been created, which are physically segregated from general traffic lanes, and where the speed limit will remain at 50 km/h.

    The introduction of the 30 km/h zones is intended to increase road safety and reduce traffic noise.

    The city has also published information about the changes and a map of the streets affected on its website here.

  7. THOR AVAS to take part in the international exhibition of Micromobility

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    Micromobility Europe is returning to Amsterdam on June 8-9 for a two-day overview of the micro electric transport market and presenting solutions to revolutionize future cities.

    THOR AVAS will harmoniously join this electric vibe with the participation of the world’s leading manufacturers, people involved in innovation, and leaders in the field of micromobility. THOR will present its AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System) project for LEVs with an electric scooter as a sample.

    This sound branding & safety solution for EVs is based on the patented principle of sound transmission – both recorded from real engines of cool supercars, and artificially created by our team of acoustic and sound designers. Silent scooters often lead to accidents, and a harmonious sound will help all road users to notice the approach of a high-speed e-vehicle in advance.

    Guests will be able to come to booth #610 near the registration desk and talk with company representatives, listen to the Thor AVAS sound on an e-scooter, and also ride it at the test track.

    The capital of narrow streets and canals, bicycles, fields of tulips and cheese factories, creative freedom and opportunities will host more than 100 speakers from all over the world, 500+ brands, and more than 1500 guests under one roof of the large De Kromhouthal exhibition center. An unforgettable atmosphere and constant movement are the core values that attract visitors to Micromobility Europe, the world’s fastest-growing mobile conference, which will be held in the capital of the Netherlands. The participants will enjoy a rich program of speakers and fruitful networking, communication with industry founders, journalists, investors, observers, technologists, politicians, and startups from more than 500 cities.

    During the exhibition, all exhibitors and guests will have a unique opportunity to ride the most innovative electric scooters, bicycles, boards and buggies.

    Webinars will cover the key issues that are redefining urban mobility: the energy crisis, profitability of scooters, post-coronavirus street space, e-bike boom, last-mile delivery, WFH trends, MaaS systems, supply chain disruptions, 15-minute cities, fast trading, road safety, urban sustainability and more.

    Venue: Kromhouthal, Gedempt Hamerkanaal 231, 1021 KP Amsterdam, Netherlands

    About THOR (Car Systems LLC):

    The THOR manufacturing company was founded in 2017 and the first successful project was a revolutionary electronic exhaust system for petrol and diesel vehicles. The THOR team of engineers and acoustics is engaged in the development of software and hardware, the design of acoustic elements, and has patents for technologies in the field of recording and reproducing the sounds of real supercar engines. THOR sound engineers have created the largest library of sounds that is transmitted through an electronic module to the speaker, controlled through the application, synchronizing with every cycle of movement of any type of vehicle. Since 2020, the Thor AVAS project has been launched – encompassing the sound accompaniment of electric vehicles, based on the patented principle of reproducing sound samples and operating within the framework of the established UNECE regulation on noise and sound No. 138.

    https://thor-avas.com/ | E-mail: info@thor-avas.com

  8. E-bike manufacturer QWIC opens brand new Experience center in Amsterdam North

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    The QWIC Experience center is open once more. Since the beginning of this year, QWIC has moved into a brand new building in Amsterdam North. After the move from Amstelveen and the construction of the new location, the doors of the Experience center are now open to consumers.

    The new Experience center has an area of over 500m2. Consumers can view the entire QWIC collection there and enjoy test rides on all available models. In addition, QWIC’s e-bike experts are ready to inform visitors about the technical aspects of e-bikes.

    Visit by appointment

    Visitors to the QWIC Experience center can take advantage of extensive tailor-made advice. In order to help customers in the best possible way and for them to enjoy focused attention, it is possible to reserve a time slot for the visit. This can be done via the QWIC website: https://qwic.nl/qwic-showroom/.

    Location & opening times

    Disketteweg 53, 1033 NW Amsterdam
    Open from Wednesday to Friday from 09:30 to 17:00 (excluding public holidays).

    Parking

    There are plenty of free parking spaces next to the building, and electric charging stations are also available. Of course there is also ample parking for bicycles.

    Experience center to support QWIC dealers

    It is not possible to purchase an e-bike in the QWIC Experience center. QWIC e-bikes are sold through a network of 750 QWIC sales outlets. This means that there is always a QWIC dealer nearby who can provide service if necessary.

    Sustainability

    In addition to a convenient location, good accessibility and sufficient space, sustainability was an important aspect for QWIC in choosing the right location. The new location is an energy-efficient and sustainable building, with solar panels and constructed using circular materials.

    About QWIC

    QWIC is a fast-growing manufacturer of premium design e-bikes. The producer is active in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. QWIC’s ambition is to reduce current mobility problems and environmental pollution by developing innovative electric bicycles. With a modern design and the use of the best components, QWIC takes its electric bicycles to a higher level every year. This is proven by the many e-bike awards that QWIC has recently won, such as the AD Bike Test 2021, the ElektroRad Test 2022 and internationally recognised design awards like the German Design Award 2022.
    www.qwic.nl

  9. Amsterdam to measure the speed of e-bikes

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    Source: Tweewieler, H. Hoitink

    The municipality of Amsterdam is in consultation with the Dutch government about reducing the speed of e-bikes to 20 km/h to improve road safety. In preparation, they are counting the numbers and speed of e-bikes being ridden.

    The counts and measurements will take place at nine locations in the city, recording the types of bicycles being ridden and their speed. In addition, from Thursday 23 March, cameras have been installed to register near accidents. In order to gain insight into the effect on road safety of the many fast bicycles driving around in the capital, the municipality is starting a trial together with the ambulance service. They will also study the first-aid data of bicycle accidents in collaboration with Amsterdam’s hospitals.

    Speeding, tuned-up e-bikes and other electric vehicles have long been a thorn in the side of the city authorities, causing a lot of accidents and irritation. In addition, the municipality sees that traffic is changing: it is becoming busier on the cycle paths and the speed differences between cyclists are increasing. According to the municipality, this means that new agreements and rules are needed.

    In the eyes of the municipality of Amsterdam, one of the most obvious measures to make traffic safer is to limit the maximum speed. Alderman Melanie van der Horst mentioned a maximum speed of 20 km/h for e-bikes in an article in Het Parool . But reducing the speed on the cycle path is not as easy as it may seem. A maximum speed of 30 km/h will be introduced in many places in the city at the end of this year. According to the law, a lower maximum speed may not be used on a cycle path next to such a carriageway. Amsterdam is now in talks with the government to see if there is a way to make this possible.

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