Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) are increasingly becoming a common sight in urban environments, encompassing e-scooters, e-steps, e-bikes, and micro cars. These vehicles present significant opportunities for enhancing sustainable mobility. They are virtually emission-free, occupy less space, and are appreciated by users for their efficiency and convenience. LEVs serve not only within cities but also as an effective means of pre- and post-transport for public transit.
However, the integration of LEVs also brings challenges. Issues such as the nuisance caused by shared scooters in cities and safety concerns on cycle paths due to varying speeds are notable obstacles. Addressing these challenges requires innovative and courageous approaches. This need for bold solutions was highlighted during the kick-off event of the LEVERAGE project—a collaboration involving Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas), Arnhem Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences (HAN), Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE), and various public and private partners.
Eighteen partners have committed to the LEVERAGE project, aiming to maximize the potential of LEVs in making mobility more sustainable, thus contributing to the accessibility, livability, and safety of urban regions. The project emphasizes effective collaboration and knowledge exchange among academic, public, and private entities. The practical, research-oriented approach of LEVERAGE is supported by funding from Regieorgaan SIA, a part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).
Four research areas
The LEVERAGE consortium focuses on four key research areas:
The effects of LEVs on car ownership and use. For example: To what extent and for which target groups can LEVs offer an alternative to a first or second car?
The integration of LEVs into the existing mobility system. For example: how can LEVs be used to improve the journey to and from public transport stops and train stations?
The impact of LEVs on road safety and experience. For example: what influence do LEVs have on the safety and experience of cyclists and how do we keep our cycle paths safe?
Developing new action perspectives and policy development for governments and stakeholders. For example: how do we move from current regulation to proactive collaboration between shared mobility providers, carriers and governments?
The report looks at the European mobility startup fundraising environment against the backdrop of a globally declining venture capital market. It reveals that in 2023, European mobility startups secured funding of $9 billion, which was a 26% decrease from 2022.
There is also positive news for the mobility sector, in that it is still listed as the third most funded industry in Europe. EIT Urban Mobility’s Director of Impact Ventures, Fredrik Hanell told Zag Daily that they had invested in over 100 startups in 1000 days.
EIT Urban Mobility is an initiative formed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). EIT believes that there are various reasons for 2023’s decline in start-up funding, including market saturation, investors being more cautious after a brisk post-pandemic expansion, macroeconomic uncertainties, micromobility regulatory challenges, and a shift in consumer preferences may have also played a part in investor confidence declining.
Even with numerous challenges, EIT will continue to push forward with its investment in the mobility sector.
“Cities are looking for these solutions that bring a positive impact,” said Hanell. “By leveraging emerging technologies, forging strategic partnerships, and addressing evolving consumer needs, mobility startups can position themselves for success in an increasingly competitive landscape that goes beyond Europe. We believe this is where the landscape for mobility is going.”
Mobility investment breakdown
In 2023 E-mobility companies with a focus on EV batteries, EV charging and infrastructure shone brightly, with these start-up companies receiving the most funding, securing over 50% of total investment for the mobility sector.
Hannell predicts that alternative mobility start-ups will have a surge in popularity this year.
“Startups focusing on electric two-wheelers, e-motorcycles, and e-scooters are poised to attract attention as micromobility solutions continue to gain traction,” he said. “And following this logic, in 2024 I believe that initiatives aimed at extending battery life, especially of light vehicles, promoting battery swapping, and enhancing sustainability are likely to drive investment.”
“Looking ahead, the future of mobility startups in Europe will likely be shaped by several key factors. The continued growth of electric vehicles, advancements in autonomous technology, and the rise of shared mobility services are expected to drive innovation and investment in the sector.”
Comments Off on Satisfaction with mobility in German cities is falling
The German ADAC automobile club recently conducted a survey assessing the satisfaction levels of residents and commuters in 15 major German cities regarding urban mobility. The findings indicate a nationwide decrease in satisfaction compared to a similar study conducted in 2017.
The ADAC Monitor 2024, titled “Mobile in the City“, focused on the experiences of car drivers, public transport users, cyclists, and pedestrians in cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. The results reveal a growing dissatisfaction with urban mobility, with car drivers expressing the highest levels of discontent. Conversely, pedestrians consistently reported the highest satisfaction levels in their respective cities, while public transport users maintained a steady level of satisfaction. Cyclists, though generally more content than car drivers, fell behind pedestrians and public transport users in overall satisfaction.
Dresden and Leipzig retained their top positions from the 2017 survey, with Dresden showing improvement this time. Munich, Nuremberg, and Hanover were close behind, while Stuttgart, Cologne, and Duisburg found themselves at the lower end of the satisfaction scale. The survey also highlighted a notable decline in satisfaction in Saxony and across the nation. Dresden experienced a minor drop of four rating points, whereas Leipzig recorded a more substantial decline of 14 points. The overall average satisfaction score decreased by nine rating points, indicating a general dissatisfaction with urban mobility.
ADAC emphasizes that the survey reflects the sentiments of mobile individuals in cities and does not provide an assessment of the actual state of infrastructure or mobility offerings. Helmut Büschke, ADAC Saxony’s board member for traffic and technology, underscored the importance of cities closely examining such surveys to address the consistent downward trend. He urged a holistic approach, emphasizing the need for ideas and adjustments across all forms of mobility rather than focusing solely on individual groups. As mobility dissatisfaction continues to rise, cities are encouraged to proactively respond to prevent further discontent among citizens and commuters.
The French capital will have a vote on a new mobility policy regarding sports utility vehicles
Authorities have organised a referendum to take place on February 4th about whether parking price rates for sports utility vehicles (SUVs) should be increased.
SUVs are the largest type of private car, and are seen by many as heavy and bulky, causing high pollution on the roads and increased casualties, so voters will be asked if their owners should be charged specific rates for parking them around Paris.
Why are SUVs the target?
This is the second traffic and public space referendum that Paris’ local government has organised within 12 months. In April, the French capital caught the attention of European media and beyond with the news that it was letting its residents decide whether they’d like to ban publicly shared scooters from its streets.
The majority of votes said yes to this, and made Paris an interesting example of participatory democracy in daily matters. With a second referendum on the way, some are wondering if referendums will be a regular occurrence for traffic policy in Paris.
If the vote goes the same way for SUVs, local authorities have proposed tripling visitor (non-resident) parking rates. This would mean SUV parking in Parisian districts 1-11 would be €18 per hour, and for districts 12-20 it would be €12 per hour – if approved.
It’s possible that with new financial obstacles in place, the popularity of SUVs and 4x4s could decrease in France.
For 30 years, the average size and weight of cars in France has increased, taking up more and more space on the road, on sidewalks and in public spaces generally. Within this period, cars have reportedly become heavier by almost 250 kilos; in 1990, the average vehicle weight was 975 kg and today it is 1,233 kg.
The Mayor.EU highlights that even if the number of largest cars drop, then an issue still remains with the large sizes of the remaining cars on the streets that contribute to road pollution, which could counteract any positive effects, and therefore fail to benefit the environment.
Comments Off on CIXI and Flevobike Technology unveil a revolutionary active vehicle
When innovations meet to take active mobility to a new level
CIXI and Flevobike Technology unveil a revolutionary active vehicle
The Eurobike trade fair in Frankfurt is an essential meeting point for all those involved in cycling and green mobility. CIXI, creator of Active Mobility solutions, which aims to transform passive commuting hours into pleasant moments of physical activity, crossed paths with Flevobike Technology, a cargo bikes manufacturer, at the event last June. A chance meeting that gave rise to a revolutionary active mobility solution: Flevobike’s GoLo, equipped with CIXI’s patented PERS technology.
A collaboration that paves the way for a promising innovation
The GoLo, developed by Dutch company Flevobike Technology, is a four-wheeled cargo bike designed for goods transport and urban delivery. The vehicle combines comfort and ergonomics, as well as loading capacity and practicality, with a lowered platform boot. Thanks to a hybrid drive system, which replaces chains and gearing system with a generator at the crank and motors in the rear hubs, Flevobike Technology has sought to reduce wear and tear and maintenance of the vehicle, while guaranteeing an enhanced driving comfort. “Given our respective positions, products and solutions, we quickly found common interests with the founders of Flevobike Technology when we met last June. They were looking for a functional chainless system to improve their vehicle, we had an innovative PERS technology to offer and wished to enter the cargo bike and intermediate vehicle market” Hugo ROULAND, Product Engineer at CIXI
And so began a bold project, with a single objective in mind: to develop a functional PERS Technology x GoLo prototype for presentation at the International Cargo Bike Festival ICBF to be held in Amsterdam on November, 24. “A GoLo quadricycle was available and we agreed that it would be made available to us, so that our technical team could integrate a PERS kit on the vehicle and carry out all the tests and adjustments”, Hugo ROULAND continues. A European collaboration with a positive impact was launched.
CIXI team testing the GoLo prototype equipped with CIXI’s PERS technology
The GoLo was developed with the idea of making this cargo bike even more sustainable, by facilitating the integration of third-party components that could improve its functionality over time. This is where CIXI’s patented PERS technology comes in. Since 2015, the company has indeed been developing an electronic crankset, with no chains or belts, which frees itself from the geometric constraints of mechanical transmission to adapt to any type of active electric vehicle. This innovative technology delivers outstanding performance with variable levels of effort, for real moments of pleasure, and travel with low environmental impact.
“After dismantling the GoLo entirely to understand its structure, we were quickly able to install the 2 motor controllers commonly used on our bike kit and adjust the wiring from the motor controller to the PERS crankset installed at the front of the vehicle. The real innovation on this cargo bike is the battery used: a 48V AES allowing peaks of 120A over 3 seconds (compared with 60A on a traditional electric bike), which enables us to meet the power requirements of this vehicle designed for delivery” Charlie GALLOPIN, Engineer at CIXI
By implementing its PERS technology on the GoLo, CIXI is helping to provide an enhanced, high-performance active electric vehicle.
Product reveal expected at the International Cargo Bike Festival ICBF
CIXI and Flevobike Technology will be presenting the GoLo equipped with the PERS system on 24 November 2023 at the International Cargo Bike Festival ICBF in Amsterdam. This will be an opportunity for visitors to discover the result of a fruitful collaboration, where know-how, expertise, creativity, and a taste for innovation have come together to make an even greater contribution to the development and growth of active mobility. For more information on this collaboration and on CIXI’s active mobility solutions, we invite you to talk to Pierre FRANCIS, Founder & CEO of CIXI.
PRESS CONTACT:
Nicolas KESSLER – PERS Program Lead
nicolas.kessler@cixi.life
(FR) +33 7 62 05 83 78
CIXI team testing the GoLo prototype equipped with CIXI’s PERS technology
About CIXI
Founded in 2015, CIXI is an innovative French company specializing in green active mobility solutions. In addition to its VIGOZ vehicle, CIXI is the custodian of the PERS electronic pedaling system, with no chains or belts, compatible with any type of vehicle to bring an active electric vehicle to life. Based in Annecy in the Haute-Savoie region, CIXI places respect for the environment as well as individual and collective fulfillment through physical activity and a healthier lifestyle at the heart of their mission.
Founded in 1989, Flevobike Technology is a Dutch manufacturer of cycles, cargo bikes, parts, and accessories. The family-run company develops numerous prototypes, including the GoLo, a modular and adaptable cargo bike.
The 2024 Transport Research Arena (TRA) is to take place in Dublin from 15th – 18th April, on the theme of Transport Transitions: Advancing Sustainable and Inclusive Mobility.
The TRA is a major conference and showcases the latest advances in mobility across Europe and elsewhere. It includes technical and demonstrative programmes and addresses all modes of transport and mobility logistics. Industry representatives, policymakers and research bodies meet to discuss innovations, policies, logistics, and achievements in our mobility and transport systems with a common aim to improve it. The TRA have designed a programme that will allow contributions from anyone working in the transport and mobility sector to showcase their ideas and policies. Entries are now open here, and the updated deadline is 29th May 2023.
Presentation Type
Presentation summaries can be addressed to two categories: Oral and poster presentation Poster presentation
The Programme Committee can adjust the submission types to coincide with the conference dynamics; oral may change to poster and vice versa. Authors of submitted pieces will be informed of any changes when the documents have been accepted by the committee, whose decision is final.
Oral presentations will include Q&A opportunities. Posters will require to display a poster at the conference and be available for discussion during the view sessions.
Full Paper Submission
A full paper will be required from the author by 14th September 2023 or else it will not be included in the programme. Confirmation of acceptance by the committee will be sent in November 2023 and include instructions on submitting.
Special Issue Publication
During submission stages, authors can decide on whether they wish to include their submission in a special edition of the European Transport Research Review journal. Those wishing to be included will be required to provide a novelty statement. Reviews will be conducted by the editor from European Transport Research Review in a re-screening event before a full preview process. Highest scoring submissions will be selected for publication.
TRAVisions Senior Researcher Award
Any submissions based upon an EU funding research project can also be entered into the VISIONS Senior Researcher Award. Submissions must include an impact statement. Any previously published or presented submissions will not be considered for presentation.
The European Commission has today published figures on road fatalities for 2022, a year in which approximately 20,600 deaths were reported. Although a 3% increase on 2021 figures, it remains 10% lower than the pre-pandemic 2019. Targets are still in place for the EU and UN who aim to halve the number of road deaths by 2030.
Member State figures
Traffic levels have recovered following the pandemic and this is considered an influence in the rise of 2022 road deaths, although they still remain lower than 2019. Having said this, Member States are reporting contrasting figures; Poland and Lithuania recorded a decrease over 30%, and Denmark a 23% decrease. Meanwhile, reported cases from Ireland, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain and the Netherlands have been either stable or have risen, although the data is not yet fully quantified.
Sweden and Denmark represent the safest roads on which to travel, with fatality rates of 21 and 26 deaths per million respectively. In contrast, Romania and Bulgaria report 86 and 78 per million respectively, considerably more than the EU average of 46 deaths per million. This is largely unchanged from pre-pandemic levels.
Groups and locations
According to 2021 data from across the EU, 52% of road traffic fatalities occurred on rural roads, 39% in urban areas and 9% on motorways. Car passengers and drivers accounted for 45% of all road deaths, while pedestrians caught up in fatal accidents totalled 18%. Regarding two-wheeled modes of transport, motorcyclist and moped riders accounted for 19% and cyclists 9%. 78% of reported deaths were men.
Findings were very different in urban areas, however, where those classed as vulnerable road users – pedestrians, cyclists and rider of powered two-wheelers – accounted for just under 70% of road fatalities. These fatalities largely involved cars and trucks and they serve as an indication that improvement needs to be made to further safeguard vulnerable road users.
The Member States have welcomed a significant increase in cyclists on EU roads, but with it comes an increase in fatalities, perhaps owing to the lack of well-equipped infrastructure. In France, for example, preliminary 2022 cyclist road death figure show a 30% increase on 2019 statistics, a cause for concern.
The Commission will soon present a range of proposals tackling road safety in a quest to make European roads safer still. More information can be found in the 2022 statistics report: Road safety statistics 2022 in more detail
Final data for the 2022 figures is expected to be made available in autumn 2023. The current figures for most countries are based on preliminary data. Estimates for 2022 are for the entire year and all road types, categorising deaths that occur within 30 days as inclusive. Germany and Greece (each 11 months), Belgium and Hungary (each 9 months), Spain (rural roads), Netherlands (partial data; also, police-registered fatalities are under-reported by around 10-15%), Portugal (fatalities within 24 hours), Switzerland (6 months) are the exception. There is currently no data for Liechtenstein for 2022.
Data for 2022 is compared with three other periods: 2021, 2019 (when the target of 50% fewer deaths was set) and an average number from 2017-19. The percentage changes in the table are based on the absolute number of fatalities, not the rate per million population.
Comments Off on Mobility City opens on February 20 under the presidency of His Majesty the King
Fundación Ibercaja opens the emblematic Zaha Hadid Bridge in Zaragoza, converted into a Mobility City, an international benchmark for sustainable mobility for the future
The avant-garde space will house the Mobility Museum, the first technological mobility museum that will offer visitors experiences, discoveries, interactive activities, exhibitions and the most striking proposals.
Fundación Ibercaja has announced this morning the inauguration of this timely project and the opening of the Zaha Hadid bridge, the work of the renowned Iraqi architect and the only bridge she designed in Europe. The initiative, promoted by the Foundation together with the support of the Government de Aragón, aims to become the main technological and informative platform around sustainable mobility, as well as its development and innovation at an international level. Starting in March, you can enjoy this space and discover the importance of mobility for the future of humanity.
Mobility City responds to Fundación Ibercaja’s commitment to return the Zaha Hadid Bridge, built for the 2008 International Exposition, to the public. “We have transformed an architectural icon into a unique element in the world, combining the aesthetic with the intellectual. Mobility City is going to be a place to look to, a prescriptive environment that will be listened to internationally and that will contribute to elevating Zaragoza and Aragón to the forefront of the mobility sector”, indicates Amado Franco, President of Fundación Ibercaja.
A space that is returned to the citizens
For the last 5 years, the entity has carried out meticulous work both to recondition the space, always hand in hand with Zaha Hadid’s architecture studio, and in collaboration with the Government of Aragon, with the goal of creating content and a unique, distinguished place open to the general public and society.
With a covered area of 2,700 m2, Mobility City has 4 different spaces:
The future of mobility: publicly accessible, it will show the progress and potential in terms of products and services of associated companies. An exhibition of innovative proposals will star in the next steps of mobility.
Temporary exhibition: with a surface area of 1,100m2, it is an area to represent the mobility of yesterday, today and tomorrow. The first exhibition shows the evolution of the automotive world, from the unique pieces its early days, to futuristic concept cars, without forgetting the offer of the current market.
Space Experiences: an entertainment area that will directly impact visitors’ emotion and awareness, it will house interactive activities aimed at transmitting messages of responsibility and respect for the environment through dynamics that measure the power of their decisions in the future of cities and the environment that surrounds them.
Multifunction space: a public access area aimed at carrying out activities and events of all kinds, both at a professional and popular level, from family workshops, idustry presentations, to awards or presentations by associates.
“We want to make Mobility City a multidisciplinary space. A place of conversation, dissemination, challenges and tests. An entity that empowers the awakening of a real mobility transition, expressing interest and solutions that invite society to embrace change. For this reason, we are working to create a complete content offer that generates interest at all levels in order to permeate the roadmap and the commitment to build an evolved and environmentally responsible mobile environment”, indicates José Luis Rodrigo, Director General Fundación Ibercaja.
Mobility City, a project to lead the mobility of the future
The Mobility City initiative has the support and drive of more than 50 collaborating entities both related to mobility (automotive, telecommunications, energy, logistics, etc.), as well as local and state institutions (research institutes, associations and universities).
“Mobility City will be the agent that drives the conversation about the mobility of the future. A space from where strategies and plans will be pushed for the sake of sustainable urban development, a space for coexistence and dialogue to show what the cities of the future will be like, and the movement of people through them” indicates Jaime Armengol, Coordinator of Mobility City. The venue is “aimed at both the general public, with an experiential content that will raise awareness of the impact of personal decisions on the future of our environment, and the professional public, promoting a meeting place for experts in the sector. In short, Mobility City is a space to inspire, identify, solve, design and build the needs of mobility that is respectful of the environment in a connected and safe way”, continues Armengol.
Zaragoza and Aragón: the epicenter of new mobility
The city of Zaragoza presents many reasons why it is destined to be the international mobility capital of the future, and which make it the perfect setting for a project like Mobility City:
Strategic geographical position: crossing point for the itineraries that cross the peninsula from north to south. In addition, its proximity to the border with France favors connections with the rest of Europe.
Industrial activity: companies in the automotive sector, smart cities or logistics, bet on the Aragonese territory as a base of operations.
Center of tourist interest: the infrastructure of the 2008 Zaragoza International Exposition adds to the traditional axes of interest in Zaragoza. The quality of its current tourist offer provides an incomparable framework for the development of the Mobility City project.
“Aragon has a privileged location, highlighting its strong commitment to logistics and the establishment of companies related to automobiles, rail and other means of transport. In Zaragoza, in addition, there is a wide presence of projects on smart cities and a growing involvement in the future of personal mobility. It is, therefore, the place where a large number of interactions between cities and companies come together at a national and international level that foster the perfect germ of the international success of Mobility City”, concludes José Luis Rodrigo, Director General of Fundación Ibercaja.
Ibercaja Foundation
Fundación Ibercaja is a private non-profit organization resulting from the transformation of the Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de Zaragoza, Aragón y Rioja (currently Ibercaja Banco), dedicated to the creation, implementation and promotion of social and cultural works to promote the development of people and companies generating actions to improve the territory. It is also committed to the sustainable mobility of the future, with Mobility City. Its values and actions are aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda, disseminating the SDGs and developing actions for their implementation. At Fundación Ibercaja, innovation is promoted in programs and activities, responding to new needs within its field of action with four values as fundamental pillars: commitment, transparency, professionalism and dynamism.
About Mobility City
Mobility City is an initiative of Fundación Ibercaja supported by the Government of Aragon with headquarters in the Zaha Hadid Bridge. The work that the renowned Iraqi architect in the city of Zaragoza houses the Mobility Museum, the first museum on international mobility. Its objective is to become the world epicenter in terms of avant-garde, technology demonstration and learning, for the promotion of sustainable mobility, its development and innovation.
The Mobility City initiative began in June 2018, supported by partners from different sectors related to mobility, including automobile, telecommunications, energy and infrastructure companies, as well as regional and state institutions, research institutes, associations and universities.
The new traffic plan in the city’s centre has triggered a 19% drop in traffic while increasing cycling by an average of 18%.
Good Move is the Regional Mobility Plan for the Brussels-Capital Region. Approved in 2020 by the Brussels Government, it defines the main policy guidelines in the field of mobility. This plan aims to improve the living environment of the people of Brussels, while supporting the demographic and economic development of the Brussels-Capital Region. In the city centre ‘pentagon’, the plan aims to change traffic flow through road closure and new one-way designation, thus leading to a less attractive driving experience.
After six months, the first results of the scheme have been unveiled, though local authorities state that it is too early to draw broad and sweeping conclusions. Initial findings indicate that the central part of Brussels has a reduced traffic flow, with more walking space, pedestrians, cyclists, reduced noise and cleaner air when compared to measurement prior to the scheme. Total traffic has fallen by approximately 19%, while morning and evening rush-hour cycling has risen by an approximately 23% and 13% respectively.
Alderman Dhondt was quoted in a press statement saying: “Many people have simply made a different mobility choice and switched to cycling or public transport, for example. The circulation plan thus contributes to the ultimate goal: a more pleasant city for everyone.”
Campaign success
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Member profile
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