Tag Archive: ebikes

  1. British disability charity criticizes e-cycle bans as an inappropriate reaction to the minimal fire risk they pose

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    Source: eBike Tips

    Wheels for Wellbeing has expressed significant concern regarding the potential bans on e-cycles by various UK organizations, including Transport for London (TfL), several NHS trusts, and other public entities.

    These groups are contemplating prohibiting e-cycles from being parked or utilized on their premises, while insurers and landlords are increasingly withdrawing permission for e-cycles to be stored in residential settings.

    The charity argues that such bans on e-cycles in public areas and the indirect prohibition in private homes through insurance and tenancy agreements are “inappropriate, disproportionate, and discriminatory,” especially given the low fire risk associated with legally compliant e-cycles, as acknowledged by both the government and fire services.

    Wheels for Wellbeing emphasizes that restricting e-cycles from homes, public transport, and key locations due to a minimal fire risk overlooks the critical role these vehicles play as mobility aids for many disabled individuals, who often lack alternative transportation options.

    In December 2021, TfL implemented a ban on e-scooters across its entire public transport network, although e-bikes are not currently included in this restriction. Recent reports indicate that some insurers are refusing coverage for e-bike retailers due to concerns over fire hazards, despite many bike shops opting not to service unbranded or unknown battery packs.

    In a recent statement, Wheels for Wellbeing urged organizations to review the Department for Transport’s fire safety guidelines regarding e-cycles. They are advocating for employers and landlords to develop policies on e-cycle usage and storage that effectively address legitimate safety concerns related to illegal and modified e-cycles, without compromising the mobility of disabled individuals.

    Insurers are urged to differentiate between safe, reputable, and legally CE marked e-cycle electrical sets and those that are dangerous, untested, and illegal.

    The recent King’s Speech introduced a bill aimed at mitigating the fire hazards linked to e-bikes and lithium-ion batteries, a move that has been positively received by Electrical Safety First (ESF) and the Bicycle Association (BA). This legislation targets “unscrupulous overseas suppliers” who distribute unsafe products through online platforms.

    Wheels for Wellbeing expressed to ebiketips their strong support for reasonable measures to curb the sale and use of hazardous and illegal batteries and devices. However, they caution that imposing restrictions or bans on the use and storage of safe, legal e-cycles by landlords, insurers, employers, and service providers would be excessive and could lead to more harm than good.

    They emphasized the need for any fire risk reduction measures to be based on evidence, proportionate, and properly focused.

    The charity is advocating for regulations to be expedited to combat the influx of dangerous, illegal e-motorcycle kits, modification kits, and substandard, unsafe spare parts entering the UK. Additionally, they urge the government to address the exploitation of gig economy delivery riders, who have been identified as a high-risk group for e-cycle fires in government guidance.

    They are calling on the government to revise regulations so that large organizations employing gig economy riders are held accountable for the safety and legality of the cycles and motorcycles used by these workers.

  2. UK’s bike shops receive official advice on sale and repair of e-bikes

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    Source: Bikebiz

    The UK’s bike shops have in recent weeks been visited by the Office for Product Safety and Standards, specifically addressing “risks and responsibilities” associated with e-bikes and e-scooters.

    As noted by Bikebiz, this activity coincided with the lead-up to the launch of E-Bike Positive, a new initiative with wide industry support, which aims to help the public safely navigate the world of e-Bikes.

    The visits focused on guidance notes for retailers stocking, selling, and working on e-bikes, and an advice note was shared, titled: “Prevention of fires caused by dangerous e-bikes and e-scooters”.

    A video shared on the Bikebiz site from a bike shop owner showcased some of the concerns and questions about this approach; while shops are able to take steps to work on branded bike products with known provenance, many bikes and kits are sold by retailers and online marketplaces outside the traditional cycling industry.

    The UK’s Bicycle Association was also approached for comment:

    The Bicycle Association (BA) has engaged closely with the Office for Product Safety and Standards, the UK product safety regulator which sets policy for Trading Standards, on issues around e-bike safety, and we’ve previously noted to our member companies that this campaign is underway.

    We believe the industry should welcome the recent intense scrutiny from Trading Standards on the e-bike sector, especially around the repair and conversion of potentially higher-risk e-bikes.

    This work will help protect the reputation of the very safe products provided by responsible suppliers and retailers.

    The guidance highlighted in the video about being sure of the safety of e-bike systems you may work on is excellent and common sense advice.

    We’d also suggest that anyone in the e-bike business check out the other resources we’ve compiled on this issue on this subject, including both further official Government advice and industry guidance from ourselves and others.

  3. Entry to the iF Design Award bicycles category open

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    The iF Design Award is calling for entries to its bike category, with entries open until September 27.

    iF Design has been championing outstanding design since 1953 and is a proud and active member of the international design community.

    iF Design sees the cycling industry as booming, with people embracing the bicycle for transport, health and leisure, and state that manufacturers look to the annual awards as a seal of quality and innovation. The iF Design jury selects not only the best designs for leisure and sporting bikes, but also looks at the best of trekking, touring, cruising, folding, cargo, and mountain bikes, as well as pedelecs and e-bikes.

    Entries are welcome from everyone: international to local, from start-ups to famous brands, from designers to architects, from entry-level to premium. Register your entry here.

  4. How safe is riding an e-bike?

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    Velobiz digs deeper into recent figures from Germany considering number of accidents in relation to increasing use and age of riders

    Source: Velobiz

    On the topic of “traffic accidents involving these vehicles”, it turns out, public perception of the dangers of electric bicycles does not match the actual dangers. The publication reports that e-biking is safer than many people believe.

    There seems to be a tendency in public perception to highlight the dangers without providing a correct statistical classification. Even the most recent analysis of the pedelec accident figures by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), a technically neutral, factually based and therefore generally sober presentation, cannot avoid using phrasing such as “the number of pedelec accidents involving personal injury has increased more than tenfold compared to 2014” or “overall, the number of pedelec accidents in Germany has risen sharply in recent years”. It seems strange that the absolute number of accident victims is practically never or only inadequately put into relation with the increasing use.

    Would it really be so difficult to also include the estimated mileage? At least the ZIV has made this effort in the past. The association has at least put the mileage covered in relation to the number of accident fatalities up to 2020. While an average of around 290 kilometers per citizen per year were covered by bicycle in 2007, this figure had almost doubled by 2020, a temporary peak in bicycle use. The result was that in 2007, a cyclist was killed in an accident for every 46.4 million kilometers cycled. In 2020, this figure had already risen to almost 98 million kilometers. That would be a remarkable improvement in the situation.

    Are e-bikes more dangerous than bicycles?

    The wording that Destatis uses when comparing fatal e-bike and fatal bicycle accidents is completely clear: “Pedelec accidents involving personal injury are more likely to be fatal than accidents involving bicycles without an auxiliary motor.” 256 people died in traffic accidents involving non-motorized bicycles in 2023. A further 188 people died in traffic on a Pedelec. The total results in a figure that is, firstly, far too high and, secondly, unfortunately in line with the long-term average. In the years from 2007 to 2020, between 354 cyclists (in 2013) and 462 people (in 2009) died on German roads. An obvious conclusion would therefore be that the infrastructure has not improved significantly. But here too, given the increased use of Pedelecs, it would be appropriate to take mileage into account. At least Destatis seems to have put something into perspective, because when they say that “pedelec accidents involving personal injury are more likely to be fatal,” even though the absolute numbers are lower than for non-motorized bicycles, the number of cyclists who died in accidents was obviously related to something. In fact, the number of deaths was put in relation to every 1,000 registered pedelec accidents. The same thing happened with normal bicycles. As a result, 7.9 riders died per 1,000 pedelec accidents in 2023, while 3.6 people per 1,000 bicycle accidents died. But that is different from putting the fatal accidents in relation to mileage or to the number of bicycles and e-bikes.

    Older Pedelec riders have always been at the greatest risk of having an accident with their vehicle. The increasing number of accidents involving e-bikes for children is relatively new.

    Two years ago, a study by the insurers’ accident researchers (UDV) based the figures on mileage. The result (described as surprising in many media) at the time: e-bikes are no more dangerous than non-motorized bicycles. It was assumed that e-bikes cover distances that are on average 1.8 times longer than traditional bicycles. Whether this figure is still correct today is debatable (the figures came from the study “Mobility in Germany”, 2017). Even a factor of 1.8 changes everything. “The results showed that adult pedelec riders between the ages of 35 and 74 do not have an increased mileage-related accident risk,” the study says. “In contrast, younger (18 to 34 year olds) and older (over 75 year olds) pedelec riders showed an increased mileage-related risk of being involved in or causing an accident,” report the UDV experts.

    Age as a risk factor

    The age of cyclists and pedelec riders is therefore actually a greater influencing factor than their vehicle. In the case of pedelecs, it is particularly important to note that users are on average older than non-motorized cyclists: “People who were injured or killed on a pedelec were on average 53 years old, which, despite the falling average age, was older than those who had an accident on a non-motorized bicycle, who were on average 42 years old. Older people are more likely to be seriously or fatally injured in a fall than younger people,” says Destatis.

    The falling average age of pedelec users is not just a market success for the industry, but is also reflected in the number of accidents, as Destatis also notes: “What is striking in this context is that the number of people who have died in accidents with a pedelec per 1,000 pedelec accidents involving personal injury has fallen significantly in recent years: in 2014 there were 17.4 fatalities per 1,000 pedelec accidents (compared to 7.9 fatalities in 2023). This is also due, among other things, to the falling age of the accident victims.”

    Velobiz concludes that, in the future, the bicycle industry’s task will probably be to point out the relationship to mileage much more clearly, to communicate this and then to have these figures ready to hand. The portrayal of the bicycle as a dangerous form of transport is at least misleading. At the same time, no one can accept that over 400 cyclists are killed in accidents every year. Added to this is the suffering of those who survive but are more or less seriously injured in their accidents. These 70,900 accidents on bicycles and a further 23,658 on pedelecs were not even discussed here. Nor was the car, the main cause of these accidents, discussed. Infrastructure remains the key to the long-term success of the bicycle. The UDV also recommended expanding the bicycle infrastructure as a result of its study.

  5. Granville debuts four new e-bikes

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    The Belgian brand expands its offering with innovative and high quality electric bikes across categories

    Source: Tweewieler

    Granville, a brand with a strong pedigree in city and trekking categories, is continuing to push and develop its offering with new lightweight, rugged, longtail, and urban designs in e-bikes. Designed in their Belgian HQ in Kortenberg, the bikes have been developed in close cooperation with trusted third party engineers. With plenty to offer discerning riders, some standout features across the range include good ergonomics, a high degree of adjustability, polished welds and integration of components.

    “We have been working on the new concepts for some time, but put the launch on hold in an earlier phase due to the situation in the market. Now is the time to bring them,” says product manager Tim Panneels. 

    E-Lite: lightweight and sporty

    The E-Lite is a new addition to Granville’s lineup, weighing in at just 21 kilograms, including the battery. This model addresses the growing demand for lighter e-bikes, making it ideal for urban users who may not need to cover long distances but appreciate the convenience of a lighter frame. “We are focusing on the user in the city who does not always have to cover long distances. If he has to carry the bike home, that low weight works to his advantage. The MIK system and the integrated components are also practical for this type of consumer.”

    The E-Lite also appeals to younger, more active users, thanks to its light Performance Line SX motor and Bosch’s CompactTube battery. Panneels elaborates on this choice: “On paper, the SX has the same properties as the Active Plus. But it is not even remotely comparable. This is a high cadence motor that performs well if you make a slightly higher number of pedal revolutions than the average e-bike user.” To ensure customers find the right fit, Granville invests heavily in retailer training, with the E-Lite being a focal point of sessions at the Brussels Cycling Academy.

    E-Terra: comfortable SUV

    The E-Terra series, comprising eight models, caters to the growing demand for SUV-style bikes with robust tires and a rugged appearance. “That trend is continuing at an insane speed, hence the choice for an extensive SUV line. The models have 27.5 inch wheels and look sporty, but in terms of appearance, design and ergonomics they fit Granville. With the E-Terra we prove that it is possible to make a sporty-looking bike comfortable.” The E-Terra range features various Bosch motors and technologies, catering to different customer needs with both derailleur and hub gear options. Additionally, it boasts integrated lighting systems and the versatile MIK HD system.

    E-Urban LT: suspension seatpost longtail

    Granville’s first longtail model, the E-Urban LT, prioritizes ergonomic design with features like an adjustable stem and a quick-release suspension seatpost. “You won’t find the latter on any other longtail,” Panneels proudly states. The bike’s frame is designed for stability and comfort, featuring a low entry point for ease of use, particularly when loading children onto the rear carrier. Granville has also developed a range of accessories for this model, emphasizing compatibility with the MIK HD system, rather than producing its own line of accessories.

    E-Traffic: safe and bright

    The E-Traffic model focuses on enhancing safety, especially for commuters and school-goers. It features lateral frame lighting that glows in the dark, thanks to a special phosphor paint developed by NASA. “In the dark, the paint on the side lights up, even without the light of another road user shining on it. During the day, the frame is silver and in the dark it gives off a bright blue light.”

    Presentation to Dealers

    Granville is set to present these innovations to around two hundred Belgian dealers on Monday, August 19, at its Kortenberg headquarters. This will be followed by a similar event at Granville’s hub in Werkendam for the Dutch market. After two years of operations in the Netherlands, Granville’s dealer network has expanded to include eighty specialized bicycle retailers.

    Through these new models, Granville demonstrates its dedication to evolving with market demands while maintaining the quality and design integrity for which the brand is known.

  6. MAHLE presents its Shop Training Program

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    The e-bike drive systems manufacturer will run dealer training across nine European countries from October 2024

    • The trainings will start in October 2024.
    • More than 50 training sessions will be held at in the markets of Spain, Portugal, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Italy.
    • Registration for these trainings will be 100% electronic through the Eventbrite platform.
    • The innovative MAHLE X35, X20, and X30 Systems will be the main protagonists of the content of these trainings.

    MAHLE is pleased to announce the launch of its new Shop Training Program, designed to offer specialized training starting in October 2024. This program aims to train participants in the use and operation of the most advanced MAHLE Systems.

    Program Details:

    • Duration: From October 2024
    • Number of trainings: 51 sessions
    • Countries: Spain, Portugal, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Italy.
    • Registration: 100% electronic through https://mahle.eventbrite.com

    Participants will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and application of the innovative MAHLE X35, X20, and X30 Systems, which will be the protagonists of the content of these trainings. In addition to this, the stores will have the opportunity to be part of the exclusive store locator on the MAHLE website, along with the PRO partner certification, which entitles them to attend to any need that end users may have regarding the “X” systems.

    For more information:

    MAHLE website: https://mahle-smartbike.com/
    Dealer Portal: https://dealer.mahle-smartbike.com/
    Registration for training: https://mahle.eventbrite.com

    About MAHLE SmartBike Systems

    MAHLE SmartBike Systems is the specialized division for the design and development of drive systems for electric bicycles of the German MAHLE Group, an international leader in sustainable mobility solutions for the present and the future. The team of more than 150 people is made up of software and hardware engineers, industrial and electronic engineers, quality specialists, 3D designers, creatives, production and materials experts and a long list of other professionals, in addition to a further 80 people at the group’s various sites in Spain, Germany and Asia.

    With Palencia as the headquarters of this major project, MAHLE SmartBike Systems brings together MAHLE’s R&D, Marketing, Operations and Sales activities in the electric bicycle sector. MAHLE’s ultra-light and compact systems consist of the motor, batteries, controllers, components and all kinds of intelligent e-bike solutions and are seamlessly integrated and interconnected with each other to offer the rider a fully customized experience.

    For all these features, more than 80 brands worldwide, including those whose innovation is revolutionizing the cycling industry,
    incorporate MAHLE drive systems as the perfect choice in terms of integration, cost and efficiency for electric mobility.

  7. Company leasing providers have almost quintupled their sales since 2019

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    Company bike leasing has emerged as a significant growth driver for the bicycle sector, according to a study by Deloitte’s Sport Business Group in partnership with the industry association Zukunft Fahrrad. From 2019 to 2023, the total revenue of company bike leasing providers surged from 0.7 billion to 3.2 billion euros, nearly quintupling. This reflects an average annual growth rate of 46 percent.

    Source: RadMarkt

    The study, “The German Company Bike Leasing Market,” surveyed the largest providers using a standardized questionnaire. These companies represent approximately three-quarters of the market. The collected data was then extrapolated to estimate the overall market size based on dealer information.

    The survey revealed that the fleet size of bicycles and e-bikes leased through employers has grown by an average of 45 percent annually since 2019, expanding from 400,000 bikes in 2019 to 1.9 million by the end of 2023. This marks nearly a fivefold increase over five years, with 23,000 bikes newly leased in 2019 and 790,000 in 2023.

    Leasing strengthens brick-and-mortar retail

    Kim Lachmann, Director and bicycle market expert at Deloitte stated “Company bike leasing has now become one of the most relevant market drivers in the bicycle market – especially in the past year, which has been challenging for the industry. High bicycle stocks and a simultaneous slight decline in customer demand due to inflation posed problems for many market participants. However, we continued to see stable growth in company bike leasing – both in terms of volume and price. It is also clear that it is strengthening brick-and-mortar retail in particular. Almost 90 percent of users buy their bikes there.”

    Leased bikes tend to be higher-priced, with about 80 percent being e-bikes and an average price of 3,500 euros in 2023—almost 1,700 euros more than the average price of bikes purchased in the overall market. According to the study’s authors, this price difference is a significant factor in the observed strong sales growth in the bicycle market.

    The study also found that around 37 percent of employees in Germany now have access to company bike leasing. The number of employees eligible for company bike leasing contracts through their employers grew from 5.3 million in 2019 to 16.8 million in 2023.

    Untapped potential

    “The company bike leasing sector has grown immensely in recent years, but the potential is far from being exhausted. On average, around 90 percent of employees at participating employers are not yet leasing. In addition, the number of participating companies is increasing continuously – by an average of 46 percent annually since 2019. Company bike leasing is perceived by employees as an attractive offer,” says Kim Lachmann.

    In 2023, around 204,000 employers offered their employees the opportunity to lease company bikes, up from around 45,000 in 2019.

    Wasilis von Rauch, Managing Director of Zukunft Fahrrad, emphasized the market’s resilience, describing company bike leasing as a billion-dollar market that benefits both employees and companies through health and climate protection advantages. He noted that approximately two-thirds of commuters have a journey suitable for bicycles or e-bikes, often faster and more enjoyable than other modes of transport. Rauch urged policymakers to support this trend by creating conducive framework conditions.

  8. E-bike ownership in Germany reaches record high

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    Source: SAZ Bike

    The energy supplier Eon has conducted a survey on the rising popularity of e-bikes. According to their findings, nearly a quarter of the population now owns an e-bike, with a notable increase among younger individuals.

    “Electric bike popularity is hitting new heights. Currently, one in four people in Germany owns an electric bike, the highest since our first survey in 2020,” states Jens Michael Peters, Managing Director of Energy Solutions at Eon Energie Deutschland.

    The survey reveals that 24.7 percent of Germans own an electric bicycle, up from 23.3 percent in 2023 and 15.2 percent in 2020. E-bike ownership has grown significantly among 18- to 29-year-olds, rising from 13.8 percent in 2023 to 17.5 percent. The highest ownership rates are among people aged 50 to 64 (27.4 percent) and those over 65 (27.7 percent).

    Regional differences

    When looking at the federal states, Lower Saxony leads with 32.6 percent of residents owning an e-bike, followed by Baden-Württemberg (27.4 percent), Bavaria (26.4 percent), Schleswig-Holstein (26.2 percent), and North Rhine-Westphalia (26 percent). Emsland and Bentheim counties top the list nationwide, with 47.3 percent ownership each, followed by Leer (42.6 percent), Wittmund (41.8 percent), and Aurich (41 percent). Eon provides a detailed visualization of these regional results.

    Sustainabilities role in purchasing and charging

    Around 40.7 percent of e-bike owners use green electricity for charging, and 28.8 percent of potential buyers are considering switching to a green electricity tariff. Additionally, 21.5 percent of e-bike owners chose their bikes for sustainability reasons, like reduced emissions compared to cars. Among e-bike models, city e-bikes are the most popular (37.3 percent), followed by trekking e-bikes (26.4 percent) and e-mountain bikes (15.9 percent).

    A popular means of transport for holidays and commuting

    E-bikes are also popular for holidays and commuting. In the past year, 12.5 percent of Germans used an e-bike while on holiday, with nine percent using their own and 3.5 percent renting locally. Looking ahead, 36.3 percent are considering using an e-bike on their next holiday, especially among 18- to 29-year-olds (46.1 percent). Additionally, 25 percent of Germans are contemplating a multi-day e-bike trip.

    For commuting, 6.8 percent of employed individuals regularly use e-bikes, and 34.5 percent are interested in leasing a company bike to save on purchase costs. Already, 13.2 percent of employed 18- to 29-year-olds use an employer-provided e-bike option.

  9. Over half of Dutch people ride an e-bike, survey shows

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    Source: Nieuwsfiets

    Recent study reveals that 54% of Dutch people ride an electric bicycle

    Various insights into the behaviour and attitudes of Dutch cyclists are available in the results of research commissioned by Netherlands-based e-bike refurbishers Upway.

    The online survey, conducted by research agency iVOX between May 8 and May 17, 2024, gathered answers to a range of questions from 2,000 Dutch people on a variety of cycling-related topics. A number of insights can be gleaned from the results:

    Age: 61% of people over the age of 55 choose an e-bike, while for those under 35 the figure is 51%.

    Ownership and frequency: 54% of Dutch people currently use an e-bike, with 39% doing so at least weekly.

    Stated preferences for e-bikes: 32% of respondents cite ease of use; 20% answered ‘Because it gets me to my destination faster’; 25% answered ‘because I can cover greater distances with it’.

    Cargo bike usage: Of those surveyed, 7% rode an electric cargo bike, and 4% rode a non-electric version. Riders of electric cargo bikes cited two notable reasons for their use: 22% said ‘Because it is economically more advantageous than a car’, while 19% said ‘Because it is so easy to use’.

    Cycling infrastructure: Overall, the respondents are generally positive towards the cycling-friendliness and layout of roads in their area, with 77% reporting a positive opinion, though cargo bike users are a little more critical with 61% having a positive opinion.

    Feelings of safety: 94% of e-bike riders reported feeling safer than average in traffic, while 57% of these said they feel safer on an electric bike than on a traditional bike. In contrast, 80% of traditional-cycle riders felt safest on a non-electric bike.

    Risk-taking behaviour: Only 10% of Dutch people say they always wear a helmet when cycling. 36% of e-bike riders ignore a red light – more often than non-electric bike riders. Dangerous situations involving electric bicycle users involve excessive speed (31%), inattention (15%) or lack of control (13%), while tradtional bike riders sometimes create dangerous situations by violating traffic rules (21%), inattention (28%) or cycling where it is not allowed (11%).

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