Comments Off on AureusDrive bikes covering kilometers worldwide
LEVA-EU member AureusDrive shares riders’ photos from around the globe
The Switzerland-based e-bike manufacturer AureusDrive recently shared customers’ photos of their bikes in multiple locations, along with the accompanying stories.
Swiss design meets Candian city life
One customer took her AureusDrive Comfort to Vancouver, where she uses it for everyday life.
Arriving in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
Another customer, along with a colleague, undertook an extended ride along the Rhône from Gletsch in Valais, to the Mediterranean coast at Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, France. The two covered more than 900 km in just seven days!
Portugal views
A world-record attempt at cycling 20,000 km in one go was started two years ago by Reto Steimer, using an AureusDrive Classic 25. Unfortunately, a knee injury forced an early stop to the attempt, but many kilometers were covered trouble-free to that point!
AureusDrive is working towards ecological mobility for all, and develops, designs, configures and assembles e-bike systems with a focus on the commuter. To date, the company estimates that its e-bike community has collectively achieved a total mileage in seven figures, and reduced CO2 emissions by 150,000 kg. Find out more here.
Comments Off on Ellio reveals its new speed pedelec model, the Max
LEVA-EU member Ellio has unveiled its new Max model, which the company describes as a powerful combination of in-house expertise, innovation and insights from the Ellio Rider community
The speed pedelec features integration of sustainable materials and components, including a Gates Carbon Drive CDX drive belts, hydraulic disc brakes and Ellio’s own two-wheel drive featuring an automatic gear-shifting system.
Ellio says that the Max has been designed to get riders to their destination smoothly, every day, and is confident that, whatever the road conditions and distance, smooth and reliable commuting is assured.
Understanding consumer needs is the key to long-term success for those operating in the shared mobility sector
Shared mobility can resolve many challenges of the urban mobility ecosystem and is an exciting opportunity for companies in the three main shared mobility sectors – hailed mobility, shared micromobility (to include e-kickscooters, traditional or e-bicycles, and traditional or electric mopeds), and car sharing . Shared mobility is on the rise, with an estimated current market value of $10 billion to $15 billion, compared to market values of $110 billion to $130 billion for hailed mobility and $4 billion to $5 billion for car sharing. Understanding the consumers’ preferences will only further increase the market revenues.
Consumer Survey
The McKinsey Mobility Consumer Pulse Survey asked worldwide mobility users’ views on the future of mobility, with a focus on shared mobility. A move away from a car-centric means of transportation was a repeated wish among all demographics, with shared and more sustainable mobility and a reduction in private vehicle usage high on the agenda.
Over a quarter of urban dwellers who responded to the survey mentioned replacing their private vehicles with other transport means in the future, although fewer than 15% of rural respondents suggested the same. The survey concluded that sustainability, travel efficiency, and improved inner-city livelihoods were central to perspective change in mobility choice, more than incurred costs.
Mobility modes with the largest influence
McKinsey suggests that three main transport modes will alter the current trend; shared autonomous shuttles; micromobility solutions, such as e-kickscooters, (e)mopeds, and (e)bicycles; and minimobility alternatives. Minimobility references L6 and L7 electric vehicles with three or four wheels, an unladen mass of over 100 kg, and capacity for one to two passengers.
The mobility survey also found that over 60% would consider a shared, autonomous shuttle service in the future, while 42% suggested that it could replace their private car trips. This could dramatically reduce the number of vehicles on the road, aiding in pollution directives, parking, and road safety. City center–airport connections (26%), supermarket runs (26%), and commutes (24%) were the most common responses from respondents regarding shuttle services.
Micromobility endeavours are seen as convenient and a genuinely sustainable alternative. The McKinsey survey reported that a third of respondents aimed to use micromobility more often. 37 percent of urban respondents mentioned that an improved micromobility infrastructure would help them make their first step, with 33% agreeing it could replace up to 50% of their car trips. In addition, 60% of respondents showed an interest in owning their own kickscooter, only requiring the need for shared mobility on occasion in the future.
Minimobility also generated considerable interest in the survey. 27% of the urban respondents suggested the introduction of microcars to their collection within the next 10 years, 50% of whom could see one replacing their private cars in the long term. The usage for microcars bore similarities to micromobility results; grocery shopping (48%), leisure activities (47%), and commuting (35%). Although 20% of those surveyed would consider sharing a minimobility vehicle, most had a preference for acquiring their own.
Public transport will continue to play a key role in urban mobility, although three reoccurring themes need addressing; people want integrated user experiences, safe and accessible infrastructure, and continued electrification. Understanding these dynamics is key to future success.
LEVA-EU member FRIKAR has announced that it is shifting to small-batch production of its limited-edition Signature model, allowing them to enhance their construction model.
Only 180 units of the model will be produced, and entirely hand-built to ensure tight quality control. Previously, each was stick-built piece by piece, but now FRIKAR has hired another assembler, allowing the shift to more efficient small-batch production. Instead of working on one bike from beginning to end, each will now be built in batches, with the team working on the same stage on every bike in each batch, saving preparation time for each stage.
This shift is seen by FRIKAR as a way to modestly boost output and increase efficiency, without sacrificing quality.
FRIKAR Awards
FRIKAR sees their Podbike concept as the next step in the evolution of green mobility, and last year received a handful of awards: Innovators Award at the Eurobike trade fair in Frankfurt, and Most Innovative Urban Mobility Company and E-Bike of the Year at the Scandinavia Business Awards. They have teased that another prestigious award is coming their way, with details to be revealed in due course.
LEVA-EU member Granville Bikes has introduced their leading e-bike collection to the Netherlands at the Granville Experience Center launch event in Werkendam. The prolific range from Belgium-based manufacturer, Ludo, has been retailing in Belgium and France since 2000, and now includes eight models designed specifically for the Dutch market.
Granville abides by their high-quality values and competitive prices, with all models showcasing exceptional frames, notable workmanship, and technology courtesy of Bosch. What’s more, assembly takes place in Europe, reflective of their market standing.
Granville Experience Center
Recently opened in Werkendam, the Granville Experience Center is not only a showroom for Granville, but is also hub for brands Scott and Bergamont, distributed by Scott Sport NL. Customer service is high on the agenda at the Werkendam location, where servicing, advice and training are also on offer.
In addition, Granville have additionally developed their after-sales service to aid specialists and those in the trade via parts lists and dealer portals. This is hoped to make dealers’ interactions more efficient.
LEVA-EU member and automotive innovator CityQ becomes one of the latest eSync Alliance members, allowing it to provide OTA updates and diagnostics for the first time
On May 10, 2023, the eSync Alliance, a global automotive initiative for the standardization of over-the-air (OTA) updates and diagnostics, welcomed LEVA-EU member CityQ and Luxoft as new association members. The pair join a rapidly growing network of automakers, Tier-1 suppliers and digital software companies already enjoying the benefit of the eSync bi-directional data pipeline.
CityQ’s range of four-wheeled e-bikes aim to maximize comfort, capacity, efficiency, and safety by providing users with an attractive alternative to a car for urban personal transport. Manufactured in Germany, the bikes can travel at speeds of up to 25km/h and can be fitted with a modular storage compartment for last-mile logistics and deliveries.
An example of CityQ’s four-wheeled electric bike
Mike Gardner, Executive Director of the eSync Alliance, said: “The eSync Alliance is growing rapidly and the addition of CityQ and Luxoft – two companies working in diverse and important areas of the automotive sector – demonstrate how important a standardized OTA specification is to the industry’s future. We’re confident that both businesses will prove to be valuable partners and we look forward to their unique perspectives contributing to a stronger standard in the months to come.”
Morten Rynning, CEO at CityQ, said, “Working with the eSync Alliance will enable CityQ to add connectivity for OTA, and to remotely diagnose and upgrade the vehicles. As well as improving the service we can offer to CityQ owners, this will be particularly useful for fleet management, one of our major markets.”
Proven in millions of vehicles globally, eSync is a robust, repeatable solution for OTA deployment. The only universal bi-directional pipeline, eSync is currently used by more than 30 OEMs and Tier-1s, helping to simplify the development process and speed up the transition to SDVs.
About CityQ
CityQ is the first vehicle platform for city pods and 4-wheel e-bikes, with doors and full weather protection, as well as a cargo bed for luggage and rear seats for 2 children. The e-bikes feature connectivity and pedal by wire instead of mechanical chain or gears. CityQ is the new e-bike with car capabilities, making the shift from car to bicycling easier. See CityQ
About the eSync™ Alliance The eSync™ Alliance is a non-profit trade association driving a multi-company solution for Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and diagnostics data in the automotive electronics space, potentially saving billions of dollars per year for automakers. By working together in the Alliance, companies benefit from a simplified development environment made possible by a standardized yet customizable platform. The Alliance is based around the eSync platform of cloud and embedded components, providing a secure data pipeline to devices within a vehicle. Further information is at https://www.esyncalliance.org/
Formerly off-limits to speed pedelecs, Flemish towpaths are now open to their use, as long as 30km/h speed limits are adhered to. The updated ruling is to coincide with new road signs dictating the information.
Nearly 2,000 km of paved towpaths and dyke roads span the length of the waterways in Flanders. Traditionally used by those managing and maintaining the waterways, they are also popular with walkers and cyclists, with speed pedelecs omitted unless the route is part of a highway navigation.
The Flemish Minister for Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) and De Vlaamse Waterweg have readdressed this, however. Wies Callens of the Fietsbond was delighted by the decision, commenting, “We have been asking for this since 2019, because towpaths invite people to travel long distances, for example for commuting. But also because it is absurd to make a distinction between bicycles with pedal assistance. In a 30 km/h zone it is not forbidden to drive a Ferrari because it can reach up to 300 km/h, as long as everyone uses their common sense and keeps to the permitted speed.”
Due to take place from the summer, Aidan Reinquin, spokesman for Minister Peeters, added, “This does not require a change in the law, but new road signs. They will now be placed as soon as possible. We start in Ghent. The new rule, let it be clear, will only take effect when those new signs have been placed. These are signs with a P on them. Signs that are now there in some places and that indicate that speed pedelecs are prohibited will be removed.”
To safeguard activities and pave the way for better towpath usage, Minister of Mobility Peeters has mapped out a new vision ‘Functional and recreational co-use of towpaths’ with De Vlaamse Waterweg. He announced that in addition to speed and safety restrictions, there is a recognition that the towpaths are in total darkness at night: “Proper maintenance is important and lighting can be installed in well-considered locations based on safety considerations.”
A report by the Dutch Kennisinstituut voor Mobiliteitsbeleid (Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy) contains assessments and insights on the role of the electric bicycle in improving the lives of those who live in rural areas
According to a recent report by the Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy, residents of urban and rural areas experience no difference in the accessibility of jobs, education and shopping. Both in the city and in the countryside, the bicycle can play a role in improving accessibility.
The Knowledge Institute for Mobility Policy recently published the report The development of mobility and accessibility in the urban and rural Netherlands. The report is based on a study into the development of mobility and accessibility from 2018 to 2040 in four types of areas: urban areas experiencing growth, urban areas experiencing decline, rural areas experiencing growth, and rural areas experiencing decline.
The accessibility of destinations such as jobs, educational institutions and shops differs between these areas, but the researchers do not see this reflected in the perception of accessibility. Although the number of facilities in rural areas is lower and the distance to them is greater, residents of these areas do not experience less accessibility to these facilities than residents of the city. Possibly car ownership, sufficient income to use the car and internet access to smartly plan or replace activities play a role here, as does the conscious choice of a residential location in relation to desired activities. The most important message of the report is therefore to include the perception of the inhabitants when looking for solutions for accessibility, in order to check whether they actually experience objectively identified problems or bottlenecks as such.
According to KiM, the car will remain the most important mode of transport in rural areas. Regular public transport is under pressure due to shrinking population numbers and can be replaced by small-scale public transport for people who depend on it, but also partly by e-bikes for distances of up to 20 kilometres. Cycle routes and fast cycle routes should improve the connection with urban areas. In the city, because of the quality of the living environment, the reduction of the car is central in favor of public transport, cycling and walking.
Speed Pedelec owners have been given a choice of riding on roads or cycle paths in a pilot scheme in the Netherlands
Current laws in the Netherlands stipulate that Speed Pedelecs are not allowed to use cycle paths. However, riders may prefer to use these routes instead of joining a busy or fast road network, or when the cycle path gives a shorter route, or if parents are cycling with their children on the school commute, before continuing to their workplace. The main concern of such use however, would be safety.
Data on Speed Pedelec speeds was compiled by DTV Consultants, commissioned by Tour de Force. The report was published in February this year and included information on Amersfoort and Rotterdam pilot schemes. Owners were able to apply for an exemption, allowing them to use the cycle paths in dense urban areas. The schemes were simple to create and didn’t cause any confrontation. Although faster than regular bikes, early data also showed no greater number of crashes than with regular cyclists. However, there was not enough data to make any conclusions on whether the cycle path option affects road safety for these users.
Allowing Speed Pedelec riders to use roadways and cycle paths seems sensible. The high speed of such bikes means they can compete with vehicles on road networks, and appeal over long distances, in hopes of encouraging new users and aiding health and the environment. National agreements and regulations on road use by the Speed Pedelec are advocated for by Tour de Force. Until wider research is completed, they suggest that users in those pilot regions should be given the opportunity to ride on local cycle paths.
Following completion of the aforementioned pilot schemes, a new, much larger trial is planned in Utrecht.
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