Comments Off on RadTrike 1 – Rad Power Bikes’ First Electric Tricycle
LEVA-EU member Rad Power Bikes welcomed the first electric tricycle in its lineup. An iconic adult tricycle with an impressive weight load capacity (188 kg/ 415 lbs), unmistakable Rad fat tires, and an impressive low step-in frame.
The RadTrike 1 will be exclusively available in the USA in 2023 and may make an appearance in Europe and the UK in 2024 depending on interest from local Rad Communities.
While this electric tricycle is not yet available in Europe, let’s take a look at what would be the same across the USA and European models:
Impressive weight load capacity of 188 kg (415 lbs) with a limit of 147kg (325 lbs) max rider weight
Extremely low step-in height (stand-over height) of 34 cm (13.4”)
This adult tricycle fits riders with heights of 163 – 185 cm (or inseam measurements between 25-35 inches)
Estimated reach on a full battery between 32-88 km (20-55 miles)
Check out the tech overview via Rad Power Bikes’ YouTube channel, here.
So what would be different in Europe from the US model:
The European model will be equipped with a 250W motor to adhere to EU regulations (unlike the US model, which comes with a 750W motor)
The RadTrike 1 in Europe will be a pedelec trike. This means it will not be equipped with a half-twist throttle (unlike the US Rad ebikes); instead it will come with a Twist Power Assist to help you get launched with the bike. The Twist Power Assist will provide acceleration up to 6 km/hrs but will not provide additional speed without the rider pedaling the bike.
If you want the RadTrike 1 to come to Europe, make your voice heard by signing up, here.
The new research aims to quantify the differences in energy expenditure, perceptions of difficulty, and acceleration between regular bikes and e-bikes in a bike-share system. Following a fitness evaluation, the 15 participants took two near-identical bike rides; once with an e-bike, and once with a regular bike. During the course of the ride, heart rate and speed were continuously measured, and participants shared their own perceptions of exertion and enjoyment.
The study’s key results were as follows:
Individuals expended about 13% less energy on e-bicycles compared to conventional bicycles on a steady-state ride.
E-bikes and conventional bicycles provided moderate intensity physical activity.
Individuals reported higher enjoyment on the e-bike.
Individuals reported less exertion and difficulty on the e-bike.
Most participants reported preferring the e-bike for commute travel.
Of course, results from any research with such a small sample size (n=15) should be considered with caution.
As the usage of both e-bikes and conventional bikes increases, so does the number of bicycle-related injuries. New research explores whether e-bikes hold a larger share of facial injuries after an incident.
Researchers at the Groningen University Medical Centre explored the nature of cycling-related facial injuries (maxillofacial fractures) and whether there are differences between those experienced by e-bike users or regular cyclists. The recently released paper will assist in emergency room injury treatment.
311 patients were examined across 4 hospitals for the presence and severity of injury between May 2018 and October 2012. Of these patients, 73 were riders of e-bikes, and a range of other factors such as age and alcohol consumption were taken into consideration. In the sample, it appeared that e-bike riders more often suffered fractures to the centre of the face, while jaw fractures and serious dental injuries were more common for conventional cyclists.
However, when results were corrected in line with additional factors, the conclusion was that patient-specific characteristics, such as age, alcohol use, and comorbidities (the simultaneous presence of two or more medical conditions), may have a greater influence on a rider sustaining maxillofacial fractures than the type of bicycle ridden.
Based on the results, the researchers see reason to promote the use of bicycle helmets among the elderly and vulnerable cyclists, because it has been proven that their use reduces head injuries and has a protective effect against facial injuries and fractures.
The NieuwsFiets DealerTrip is back on the agenda and will travel to Bike Value in Portugal from 8 to 15 January 2023. As the registration period is much shorter than usual, this is a trip for quick decision-makers!
As travel restrictions have been considerably relaxed again, the new NieuwsFiets.nu ‘DealerReis’ will travel to Portugal next year. This trip will take place in January, and due to the rapid approach of the date, interested entrepreneurs will have to decide quickly. It is certain that it will again be an exciting professional trip, heading to the beating heart of the Portuguese bicycle industry. The program of factory visits is currently being finalized, but visits to companies such as SRAM, Polisport/Bobike, Miranda, and Fritz Jou (producer of QWIC, among others) have been confirmed.
DealerTravel to Vietnam is too risky due to corona
The last NieuwsFiets.nu DealerReis took place in 2019 when travel to China was still possible. A trip to Vietnam was originally planned for 2020, but disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed this visit. “That trip has been postponed twice and was in principle planned for November this year. And although it is currently possible to travel to Vietnam, I think it is too risky,” says organizer Arnauld Hackmann. “Suppose COVID-19 flares up again and Vietnam starts re-instituting quarantine rules, then we have a big problem. I first want to see how things are going there in the coming months, but Vietnam will definitely remain on the wish list for the near future.”
Portugal: The main production location in the EU bicycle market
In addition to NieuwsFiets.nu, Hackmann also organizes dealer trips for the German trade magazine Velobiz.de. Editor-in-chief Markus Fritsch proposed the idea of visiting Portugal as an alternative to Vietnam, which has Bike Value in Agueda, where a lot of the bicycle industry is located. “The first discussions were held during Eurobike. November, the month in which the trips normally take place, was not feasible, so we opted for the beginning of January,” explains Hackmann. “An additional advantage is that this trip is a lot cheaper than the Asia trips of the past.”
The northern Portuguese metropolis of Porto is one of the most beautiful cities on the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, the port city is now an important center of the European bicycle industry; more than one-fifth of bicycles produced in Europe roll off the assembly line in Portugal. The country on the Iberian Atlantic coast has thus developed into the most important production location in the EU bicycle market. In addition, Portugal is an important location for the production of bicycle frames and other parts.
With the NieuwsFiets.nu DealerTrip 2023, travelers take a look behind the factory gates of eight companies that produce in Portugal from 8 to 15 January. Of course, getting to know the destination’s culture and people is not neglected during this time. During the 8-day trip, there is extensive of opportunity for dealers to network and exchange experiences.
Comments Off on Bafang Direct-to-dealer Services see primary launch with select brands
In the past, to meet the individualized needs of different e-bike brands, LEVA-EU member Bafang Electric (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as Bafang) developed a variety of products and provided after-sales services to brands in a flexible and efficient way. With the maturity of products and development of consumers’ service requirements, some brands took the initiative to ask Bafang to extend its services further to include dealers. To meet the evolving market demand, over the past two years Bafang has developed a direct-to-dealer service (DDS) mode for select bicycle brands and dealers in response to their service requirements, creating a comprehensive, closed-loop system.
This concept was first put into practice in February 2021; in this preliminary stage, the service was available only to a few selected dealers. Following with an excellent response, Bafang’s dealer services network has further expanded and now serves dealers of multiple brands.
As one of the world’s leading electric bike drive systems and electronic components manufacturers, Bafang knows its responsibility for the continuous flow and exchange of information between brands and their dealers. Therefore, Bafang has refined and strengthened its DDS, heavily investing in the project to provide applicable training programs for the existing products each year.
In February 2021, Bafang launched the DDS with a Dutch brand, Gazelle. In the first interactive training stage, the brand invited a few dealers to thoroughly trial the dealer services system and assess any problems that arose. By the end of 2021, all of Gazelle’s dealers had been connected to the Bafang DDS system. For the Gazelle brand alone, Bafang will continue to provide more than 700 dealers with services including product training, customer service, and spare parts sales.
Currently, 5 brands have joined Bafang’s DDS, and the Bafang dealers’ service team has established contact with more than 1,200 dealers to provide relevant services.
The Bafang DDS service team boasts established technicians with years of industry experience who will train dealers and workshop employees to ensure that they can provide high-quality services to their customers. The scope of services provided by Bafang DDS includes:
– Free replacement and maintenance of parts (within the warranty period)
– Stable diagnostic systems
– Training courses for new products
– Technical documents in various languages for download (e.g., manuals, e-learning videos,
assembly/disassembly demonstrations)
– Quick response and follow-up on any technical issues
– Sharing of the dealers’ experiences
At present, the Bafang DDS system remains in its initial development stage, including the logistics system, service platform, training activities, etc., which are being continuously improved upon. In the future, Bafang plans continued expansion of the system to quickly meet dealers’ demands with real-world data and support. Dealers will have the advantage of using the full range of services provided by Bafang and purchasing parts directly through the system, while Bafang Dealer Services itself will continue to expand service outlets and increase service personnel. In April of this year, Bafang held a professional, innovative, and successful online training event with Fischer Bicycle and its international dealers, and is preparing for the provision of a professional service system for more brands and dealers in the future.
Although the Bafang DDS is a relatively new offering, many dealers have shown great enthusiasm and encouragement for the program, providing valuable suggestions for Bafang to improve the subsequent service work.
Bafang dealer service process
How does the Bafang DDS function? Following the signing of a dealer service agreement by a bike brand, the brand’s list of dealers and their relevant details is shared with Bafang. Bafang then prepares all goods and content for the dealers, who can submit product queries through the dedicated DDS web portal. Bafang’s service engineers handle all incoming queries promptly, liaising remotely with the dealer through the most appropriate channels to reach a resolution.
Comments Off on Stromer official “e-bike” supplier for Alinghi Red Bull Racing
LEVA-EU member Stromer has entered a partnership with Alinghi Red Bull Racing in their preparations for the 37th America’s Cup. Stromer will be providing fast electric bikes, or “Speed Pedelecs”, as well as developing new special editions that will carry the Alinghi Red Bull Racing name.
Participation in the ‘America’s Cup’, the oldest sporting trophy in the world (1851), requires vision, an innovative spirit, and a certain willingness to take risks. After an absence of ten years, Alinghi has joined forces with Red Bull with the goal of winning the 37th America’s Cup, hosted in Barcelona from August to October 2024. The Swiss company myStromer AG, a leading manufacturer of Speed Pedelecs, is now working to help Alinghi Red Bull Racing achieve this goal as the team’s official supplier of electric bikes. This collaboration is based on a long-term vision and will not only boost the team’s mobility in Barcelona, but everywhere that they go. Stromer will also introduce a Special Edition in the colors of Alinghi Red Bull Racing that is based on the model ST7 in 2023.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s training location is Barcelona, a busy metropolis. To support the team members on their daily journeys in the city, Stromer is the team’s official supplier of e-bikes. In addition to fast electric bikes, Stromer is also providing the team with racing bikes in the colors of Alinghi Red Bull Racing to help train the sailors. Cycling will play a key role in this competition for the 37th America’s Cup, both on land as well as on the water. The energy for the mechanical systems is generated on board by pedal systems that are operated by four members of the team: the “power group”. Modern mobility is thus a common thread between Stromer and Alinghi Red Bull Racing thanks to their interest in efficiency and performance.
“Sailing has fascinated humans around the world for centuries. Alinghi Red Bull Racing stands for performance and perfection, just like Stromer. We expect this partnership to increase the global brand awareness of Stromer and to enhance the focus on the topic of alternative mobility. We are also excited to launch an ST7 Alinghi Red Bull Racing Special Edition in 2023.” Tomi Viiala, co-CEO of myStromer AG
“We are looking forward to our collaboration with Alinghi Red Bull Racing. Passion and perfection are just two values that we share. We wish Alinghi Red Bull Racing a perfect preparation phase and victory at the next America’s Cup. We are naturally also proud to be able to ensure the mobility of the team in Barcelona with our bikes.” Karl Ludwig Kley, co-CEO / CFO of myStromer AG
“These new boats, the AC75, are bringing cycling and sailing closer: the rules of the class allow having cyclists on board to provide the energy to operate the boat systems. The fact that we will be able to ride bikes as part of the preparation in Barcelona will also be a huge advantage for the whole team. We are truly lucky that we will be able to rely on Stromer in our quest for the next America’s Cup. We represent the colors of Swiss industry in the world and stand for the same values: precision, quality and performance. A huge thanks to them for it!” Arnaud Psarofaghis, Alinghi Red Bull Racing Sailing Team
#HereToChangeMobility
Stromer supports sustainable, environmentally friendly mobility solutions. Stromer Speed Pedelecs can be ridden up to 45 km/h with engine assistance and represent the best of Swiss engineering. The models capture the imagination through an exclusive combination of timeless design, smart connectivity, pure performance, and maximum range.
Stromer ST7 Alinghi Red Bull Racing Team Edition
Exclusively for its partnership with Alinghi Red Bull Racing, the Swiss company will manufacture a special series of its top model, the ST7, in the team’s colors. The new Stromer flagship combines cutting-edge technology and high-end components to create a Speed Pedelec truly in a class of its own. With a 1,440 Wh battery and a range of up to 260 km, the ST7 is the world’s first “Speed Pedelec” with new electronic Smart.Shift technology from Pinion, thus introducing vehicle driving dynamics to the e-bike. It combines reliable and virtually maintenance-free gear-shifting technology with the advantages of electronic shifting via a shift lever. Planning for additional Special and Limited Editions is currently underway.
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.
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.
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 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.
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