Tag Archive: E-bike

  1. Technologies poised to redefine e-bikes

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    Source: Bike Europe

    Technological developments showcased at CES 2026 in Las Vegas have highlighted how the next phase of e-bike innovation is likely to be driven less by radical new hardware and more by the adaptation of smart technologies from adjacent industries, particularly automotive, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.

    While the Consumer Electronics Show was dominated by automotive platforms, AI-driven systems and robotics, the underlying message for micromobility was clear: many of the technologies capable of transforming e-bikes already exist and are now beginning to scale down for lighter vehicles.

    Solid-state batteries move closer to reality

    One of the most significant signals from CES 2026 was the growing presence of solid-state batteries, which until recently have remained largely confined to research laboratories and conceptual demonstrations. For the e-bike sector, these batteries offer the potential to address long-standing limitations, including energy density, safety and thermal risk.

    Solid-state technology promises higher capacity in smaller packages, improved intrinsic safety and significantly reduced fire risk. Key features include its ultra-fast charging capabilities, measured in minutes rather than hours, which points to a future with minimal downtime. Although high costs continue to restrict mass-market adoption, premium e-bikes and shared or swappable battery systems are already emerging as early adopters of the technology.

    Connectivity as a core platform

    Connectivity has also emerged as a foundational element of next-generation e-bikes. CES 2026 demonstrated how low-power, long-range wireless technologies originally developed for smart cities and industrial IoT applications are now ready to scale into micromobility.

    Rather than functioning as standalone vehicles, e-bikes are increasingly being positioned as connected urban assets, with integrated monitoring, remote diagnostics and links to broader mobility networks becoming standard features, particularly for fleets and shared systems.

    Embedded intelligence and rider assistance

    Artificial intelligence is following a similar path of migration from cars to lighter vehicles. Automotive-grade AI and edge computing platforms are now being repackaged for e-bikes, enabling smarter dashboards, contextual alerts and early-stage rider assistance systems.

    Connectivity specialist Quectel illustrated this trend at CES, demonstrating how its modules are evolving into full platforms capable of supporting intelligent e-bike functionality. Jesse Wang, product director at Quectel, said: “We’re working with a lot of e-bike vendors. They’re our customers. They use our modules for connectivity and creating new intelligent e-bikes.”

    UK-based startup Dock-Y also showcased advanced safety applications through its edge-AI powered rider assistance system, Kav-Y. Designed for both individual e-bikes and fleets, the system combines radar, vision and machine learning to detect hazards in real time and deliver visual, audio and haptic warnings, bringing automotive-style assistance to urban cycling.

    A proving ground for AI-driven mobility

    Another emerging theme from CES was the application of AI-powered maintenance and diagnostics to micromobility. Adapted from automotive fleet management, these systems analyse battery health, motor performance and usage patterns to predict failures before they occur.

    Given the relative mechanical simplicity of e-bikes and the scale of global fleets, the technology could have a substantial impact on reliability and operating costs. It has been suggested that e-bikes could become one of the fastest proving grounds for agent-based AI within the wider mobility sector.

    Demonstrations from companies working with Qualcomm-based platforms showed convergence towards telematics-first architectures, Linux-based smart displays inspired by smartphone user interfaces, and integrated chipsets combining connectivity, rider assistance and control systems.

    Chinese manufacturers shift strategy

    CES 2026 also highlighted a strategic shift among Chinese e-bike manufacturers, where brands used the event not to compete on price (with tariffs remaining a constraint in the US market), but to reposition themselves as global technology brands.

    By emphasising software, connectivity and design, these manufacturers signalled an upmarket move that industry analysts suggest has been accelerated, rather than hindered, by trade barriers.

    Opportunities for the e-bike industry

    While CES 2026 did not deliver a single headline e-bike announcement, it offered clear evidence that many of the technologies needed to transform the sector are already proven in automotive and IoT contexts. As these systems scale down in size, cost and power consumption, the opportunity for the e-bike industry lies in adopting them without compromising the simplicity and accessibility that underpin the appeal of micromobility.

  2. KiM forecasts continued growth in e-bike usage across the Netherlands

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    Source: Fietsberaad

    The use of electric bicycles in the Netherlands is expected to continue rising significantly, with e-bikes projected to account for more than half of all cycling kilometres by 2030. This forecast is presented in the Mobility Report 2025, published at the end of November by the Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy (KiM).

    According to the report, the share of e-bikes in total cycling kilometres has increased from 8% in 2014 to 38% in 2023. Based on current policy measures, KiM anticipates this share will grow by a further 40% by 2030, reaching approximately 42.5% of all bicycle use within the next five years, and will continue to increase after.

    In 2023, Dutch residents cycled a total of 17.9 billion kilometres domestically, representing a 7% increase compared with 2014. On average, individuals cycled 1,065 kilometres per year, a figure that has remained largely stable over the past decade. Within this overall stability, there has been a clear shift from conventional bicycles to e-bikes, with average annual e-bike use per person rising from 115 kilometres in 2014 to 405 kilometres in 2023, while kilometres travelled on regular bicycles declined from 950 to 660 over the same period.

    The role of e-bikes in longer trips

    E-bikes are also associated with longer trips. In 2023, the average journey length was 3.2 kilometres by regular bicycle, compared with 5.2 kilometres by e-bike. The difference was most prominent for education-related travel, where e-bike trips averaged 6.7 kilometres, more than twice the distance of trips made on conventional bicycles.

    Cycling popularity by region, and its role in providing job accessibility

    Geographically, Leiden recorded the highest bicycle modal share among the 24 largest Dutch municipalities, with cycling accounting for 50% of all trips. Among the four largest cities, Utrecht ranked highest, with more than 40% of trips made by bicycle. The highest shares of e-bike use were observed in Enschede (12%) and Zwolle (11%).

    The report also notes improvements in job accessibility by bicycle. Since 2018, access to jobs by bicycle has increased by 13%, outperforming growth in accessibility by car and public transport. KiM expects these trends to continue, reinforcing the bicycle’s growing role in the Dutch mobility system, especially the e-bike.

    The full Mobility Report 2025 is available via KiM.

  3. NEOMOUV partners with Laka to enhance e-bike security for customers

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    Source: NEOMOUV

    Electric bike brand and LEVA-EU member NEOMOUV has announced a strategic partnership with Laka, a specialized insurance provider for cyclists, to address theft, with it being one of the primary concerns for electric bike buyers.

    Through this collaboration, NEOMOUV now offers its resellers a high-value service that combines simple and transparent protection, no obsolescence, commitment, or deductible, and above all, peace of mind for customers from the moment of purchase.

    This initiative strengthens trust between NEOMOUV and its customers, facilitates sales, and provides long-term support for users.

    NEOMOUV extended special thanks to Thomas Arnou of the Laka for his collaboration and dedication in bringing this partnership to fruition.

  4. Statistics and behaviour in Germany’s e-bike market

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    Source: SAZ Bike, Cycling Electric

    Recent research, separately conducted by YouGov and Zukunft Fahrrad, reveals a complex picture in Germany’s e-bike sales and uptake by the population. Although leasing is increasing and sales are high, a large proportion of people have yet to try an e-bike.

    An online YouGov survey took responses in July and August from just over 2,000 adult German residents, looking into their experience and thoughts on e-bike ownership and riding. The German association Zukunft Fahrrad focuses on bike-leasing topics and advocacy, and has published data on the current state of the market.

    Survey findings

    The YouGov survey spoke both to riders and non-riders of e-bikes. The results showed that 65% of respondents said they had never tried an e-bike, with the survey exploring the reasons behind this. Those respondents who identified as current e-bike users also gave some insights into behaviour patterns.

    49% of non-users listed cost as the key factor in putting them off e-bikes, followed by a preference for traditional bikes at 29%, and for cars or public transport at 28%. 13% stated that they had not yet had the opportunity to try an e-bike, indicating a potential window of opportunity for greater uptake.

    Among the group of current e-bike users surveyed, it is becoming clear that the ratio of those purchasing with their own funds is decreasing, in favour of various leasing or subsidy programs. Three years ago, 83% of e-bikes were fully self-financed; this share has fallen to 64% for purchases made over the last three years. In that time, partial financing has risen from 8% to 19%.

    On the question of usage scenarios, the majority of respondents reported using e-bikes for leisure and travel, at 39%. 21% use them for shopping and errands, with women taking the majority in this particular segment (25% compared to 17%). 20% of all respondents regularly commute to work or school on an e-bike, while 15% use them for sport, with men (19%) taking the majority here compared to women (10%).

    The leasing landscape

    The data from Zukunft Fahrrad shows that the total e-bike leasing market in Germany has now reached over 2.1 million active units, and that 78% of those put to the market in 2024 were electric bikes.

    Germany’s company bike and e-bike leasing structure has grown steadily since 2020, with 269,000 German employers now offering e-bike leasing, often alongside car leasing, presenting a greater choice to eligible employees on their commuting options. This means that 18.7 million citizens – equivalent to 41% of the employed population – have access to an e-bike leasing scheme. In 2024, a total of 750,000 bike or e-bike leases were put in place.

    One effect of this success is that people can afford to choose and ride a more expensive e-bike than they may have done if buying it independently – bike shop data suggests the average cost of a leased e-bike in 2024 was €3,720, which is 40% more than a typical purchase price outside of a leasing program. The leasing terms are known to be flexible and financially favourable, enabling riders to end the leasing term, return equipment, purchase the bike or lease a new model when the term comes to an end.

    Stefan Ludwig of Zukunft Fahrrad said, “The average prices for company bikes are significantly higher than those of the overall market. This is due to the fact that, on the one hand, there is a minimum price for leasing agreements, and, on the other hand, consumers tend to opt for higher-priced models where the savings are higher. Thus, company bike leasing contributes to higher average prices and thus to higher sales in the overall bicycle market.”

    The YouGov survey results can be found here, and the Zukunft Fahrrad report here.

  5. Over a quarter of Germans own an e-bike

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    Source: SAZ Bike, Bastian Dietz

    Energy company E.on has recently published survey results indicating that 28% of Germans own an e-bike or speed pedelec, in comparison to 15.2% five years ago.

    Over 30,000 German citizens participated in the survey, conducted on behalf of E.on by Civey between June and July 2025, revealing a variety of demographic and behavioural trends and preferences.

    Younger demographic and families

    E-bike ownership and use had the most growth in the 30-39 age bracket, rising from 19.3% in 2024 to 23.2% in 2025. Families with young children revealed an above-average interest in purchasing e-bikes, with almost 9% of such households planning to purchase in the next 12 months, compared to just under 5% of households without children.

    Sustainability and charging

    Over half of respondents who are interested in purchasing an e-bike confirm that the recyclability of the bike’s materials is an important concern. Regarding charging, almost 60% would be willing to charge bikes during times where renewable energy feed-in is at a peak, for instance at noon when the sun is shining. This would help contribute to electricity grid stability with a greater control of energy consumption; according to E.on, this indicates potential savings of around 118 gigawatt hours annually – similar to the annual consumption of a small town.

    Regional differences

    Germany’s e-bike ownership rate is highest in Lower Saxony, at 34.9%, followed by North Rhine-Westphalia at 30.4% and Bavaria at 30.1%. At the district level, the North Rhine-Westphalia district of Borken leads at 52.5%, and Grafschaft Benthheim in Lower Saxony follows close behind at 50.6%.

  6. Australian schoolchildren to trial e-bike riding license scheme

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    Source: Electrek, Fietsberaad, Yahoo Australia

    A proposal in New South Wales, Australia, known as the Student Bicycle License Scheme (SBLS) aims to act as a trial of a new licensing program for school-age riders of electric bikes.

    Yahoo News Australia reports that teenagers are among the most frequent users of e-bikes, and that the proposed scheme, put forward by Bicycle NSW, aims to promote the safe use of e-bikes. The scheme is due to launch in some schools in mid-to-late September.

    The scheme will require any students wanting to ride an e-bike or e-scooter to school to complete an online training course, and to pass a knowledge test, to be issued with a digital “ride-ready” license.

    The CEO of Bicycle NSW, Peter McLean, said that the trial is mainly about promoting education and awareness. Individual schools are free to decide whether to participate and how to implement the scheme; for instance, they could make it mandatory for any student wanting to use the school’s secure bike parking facilities.

    There are no current plans to introduce fines or other penalties for any unlicensed riders during the pilot phase – the initial focus is on education. The government is working with road safety experts and schools to develop training materials for the scheme, including topics such as speed limits, the use of helmets, etiquette on sidewalks, and the proper behaviour at intersections.

    McLean said, “[The trial] focuses on a number of the basic rules for bicycle users, but also on etiquette and respect. It also includes helpful knowledge around bicycle security and equipment.” The trial stage will be assessed, he continued. “We just want to make sure we develop the program thoroughly first before we broaden the offering to others.”

  7. One-third of Danish We Cycle to Work scheme participants rode e-bikes

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    Source: TV-Kalundborg.dk

    The statistics for Denmark’s We Cycle to Work 2025 campaign show that one in three participants rode electric bicycles, and research indicates the health benefits are almost the same as when riding traditional cycles.

    Following its ‘We Cycle to Work’ campaign, the Danish Cyclists’ Association surveyed its 58,000 participants and discovered that almost one in three used an e-bike for their daily commute. The survey also explored the reasons behind this choice, as explained by the association’s director, Kenneth Øhrberg Krag.

    “In the survey, we asked participants why they chose electric bikes. Many responded that it was for exercise, while others have injuries and need extra assistance on bike paths. For us, the goal of the campaign is quite simple: to encourage more people to ride bikes and leave their cars at home. When electric bikes give more people the opportunity to participate and make the choice to exercise more manageable, we naturally welcome them. And research shows that it is actually almost as healthy as cycling with just your own muscle power.”

    Health benefits

    The research referred to by Øhrberg Krag was published by researchers at the Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany, it tested 1,900 e-bike and regular bike riders, resulting in data on almost 60,000 bike rides over the span of three years. The research showed that both muscles and circulation were exercised almost as much on an e-bike as on a traditional bike. Many participants in the study indicated that they chose e-bikes for their additional assistance due to health problems.

    This was echoed in statements from some of the We Cycle to Work survey respondents:

    “Despite my disabilities, I can always get home, even if my body starts to feel tired – it gives me the opportunity to cycle more often and for longer trips.”
    “I get to cycle, because after my breast cancer I would have stopped because of lack of energy.”
    “Getting help up the hills and getting help when you have a migraine. At the same time, you still get fresh air and exercise your body more than if you took the car.”

    The German study also found that the risk of heart attack was reduced by up to 40%, and metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes were reduced by up to 50%.

    Lifestyle benefits

    Respondents to the We Cycle to Work survey indicated additional advantages to electric bicycles compared to traditional bikes, when used for work commuting. “You don’t show up sweaty when you have to be presentable,” says one. Another states, “I couldn’t cycle to work before I got an electric bike, I didn’t want to be sweaty all day at work and I don’t have time to shower when I get to work. So an electric bike is perfect for me.”

    The We Cycle to Work campaign organisers hope to see a permanent lifestyle change for participants. Kenneth Øhrberg Krag stated, “Our campaign will of course only reach its full effect when the effort is sustained, and the bicycle is also the preferred means of transport after the campaign period in May. For many, this requires saying goodbye to the car, and I of course hope that many of this year’s e-cycling participants have chosen to do so.”

  8. Amsterdam’s new public e-bike battery charging and storage network

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    Source: Cycling Electric, Zag Daily. Image credit: Cycling Electric

    This autumn in Amsterdam, urban mobility infrastructure provider PowerShelter will launch a network of 15 shelters designed to offer safe and convenient charging and battery storage to e-bikers around the city.

    The PowerShelter solution is designed to alleviate the problem of bike theft by providing riders with a secure space to charge or simply store their e-bike’s portable battery. Its founders hope it will also address the concerns of proprietors of bars, shops and venues, who often see cautious riders bring in batteries to avert thieves, and worry about the potential fire risks associated with e-bike batteries. Jake De Wulf, PowerShelter co-founder, said, “These small, everyday frictions add up and discourage use. We’re still far from unlocking the full potential of e-bikes – and part of that is because these pain points haven’t been addressed.”

    Riders can use the PowerShelter app to search for rentable lockers, which are able to support the charging of all electric bikes. Alternatively, a touchscreen on the shelters can be used to access lockers. The system supports both personal riders, and fleet management firms for delivery riders looking to implement battery swapping.

    Brett Bouthillier, the brand’s other co-founder, said, “Unlike closed, siloed solutions, ours is open-system, plug-and-charge, Secure, accessible to all, and scalable – we want every rider to feel safe and empowered to ride further.”

    With backing from EIT Urban Mobility, Powershelter foresees rapid uptake across Amsterdam and beyond of the charging lockers’ modular design, with the autumn launch acting as a blueprint for other cities looking for e-bike charging solutions.

    Jake added, “There are thousands of places to charge an electric car across Amsterdam – why are we limited to charging our e-bikes at home? The shift away from cars is happening, but the infrastructure hasn’t kept up. PowerShelter is here to fill that gap – and build the charging network our cities need. Amsterdam is just the start.”

  9. E-bike buyers refer to specialist retailers, study finds

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    Source: SAZBike

    A German study has reported that buyers of both e-bikes and traditional bikes prefer to obtain information from brick-and-mortar retailers.

    Research commissioned by the German insurance company Alteos looked into the purchasing behaviour of customers buying bicycles, plus assessments from specialist bike retailers. With Germany’s bicycle market seeing 3.85 million bicycles sold in 2024 alone – 2.05 million of which were e-bikes – the findings are significant.

    Buyer behaviour

    The survey, conducted by Civey, found that 58.6% of bicycle purchasers head to a physical store to gather information, in preference over digital channels or social media. 27% choose to use manufacturers’ own websites, while 24.7% use specialist retailers’ websites. The role of social networks such as Instagram, TikTok or Facebook only play a negligible role, even among the younger 18-29-year-old demographic.

    Retailer insights

    Face-to-face communication is also important from a retail point of view. 41% of the retailers surveyed confirm that personal interaction in the brick-and-mortar store is their most effective sales channel, echoing the findings about buyer behaviour, and allows retailers to position themselves as trustworthy partners. 40.3% of retailers rely on their own websites, far ahead of channels such as local media (18.8%) or social networks (5.9%).

    In addition to new bike sales at 25.5%, dealers saw good revenue potential in company bike leasing, at 28.4%. Activities such as workshop services, accessories sales and insurance offerings followed at a greater distance. Over one third of respondents reported being unsure about which business areas are to be of most importance in the coming years.