Tag Archive: Netherlands

  1. Dutch survey shows preference for helmets with ebikes

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    Source: Nederland elektrisch

    Research from MSI Consultants has concluded that the majority of the Dutch would like to see electric cyclists wear a helmet. In addition, age restrictions for young and old are favoured, all of which address safety concerns for this group of cyclists.

    Percentages

    The topic of MSI’s National Choice Stress Monitor changes monthly, with this particular research surveying 1,000 Dutch people aged 18-years and older on the use of electric bicycles versus regular bicycles and in particular, any safety concerns. 41% of those who responded own an electric bicycle while 34% are considering buying one. The cost of purchasing a new electric bicycle remains the stumbling block. The vast majority believe that they are not affordable for everyone, and those considering the move from regular bicycles have smaller budgets.

    Additional findings from the survey include usage of the e-bikes. Grocery shopping was the most common use at 58%, while sports activities and meeting family members were also popular at 49%. Usage on holiday and recreational activities that aren’t a daily occurrence ranked at 38%, while commuting use amounted to 37%. Bad weather was the fundamental barrier to daily two-wheeled commuting.

    Safety in numbers

    Road safety remains a concern for those surveyed, particularly for e-bikes reaching higher speeds. For example, 55% are adamant that bicycle helmets should be compulsory for any e-bikes that reach 25 km/h. For those aged 50+ who took part, the percentage was even higher. One respondent commented, ‘Electric bicycles go faster than you think and the impact is greater in an accident than with regular bicycles.’ Customised electric bicycles were also a concern with 65% surveyed (and 73% of women) wanting police to enforce some regulation.

    The safety concerns and helmet obligation suggestions haven’t waned the popularity of e-bikes, except among the younger generation, who said that they would lose some interest in electric bikes if helmets were compulsory.

    54% of those surveyed also favoured minimum and maximum age restrictions for electric bike riders at 16-years and 75-years accordingly. Recklessness in the younger generation and fragility in those older riders was seen as a concern amongst both regular and e-bikes users, with one commenting, ‘Children go too fast and the elderly are fragile’.

    Of course, those over 60 saw it differently and less discriminately, highlighting that it was down to ‘personal alertness, fitness and attentiveness’ rather than age. MSI Consultants were also reminded that it was good for the well-being of the older generation, with one respondent adding that the electric bicycle, ‘can be a fun outing for the elderly.’

  2. Dutch sales figures for cargo bikes in 2022

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    Source: Jos Sluijsmans

    Director at the International Cargo Bike Festival, Jos Sluijsmans, shares insight and market comparisons on the reported sales figures for this bicycle category.

    At the beginning of May, the RAI Association published the “Key Figures Car & Mobility and Two-Wheelers 2023”. These key figures are published annually by Stichting BOVAG-RAI Automobiliteit, which charts the Dutch market for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers.
    In the key figures on the sale of two-wheelers, it is not immediately clear in which category (electric) cargo and cargo bikes fall and what the sales figures for these bicycles are.

    Sluijsmans questions the RAI Association, who replied that electric cargo bikes fall into the ‘e-bikes’ category and that 8,901 cargo bikes were sold in 2022. Regular cargo bikes fall into the ‘other’ category. The RAI Association does not know how many cargo bikes without electrical assistance have been sold. The sales figures are based on a representative sample of all bicycle shops in the Netherlands, regardless of whether they are affiliated with a trade association. The research data comes from market research agency GfK.

    The number of 8,901 electric cargo bikes sold is very low compared to sales in Germany, for example. In 2022, according to the ZIV Zweirad-Industrie-Verband e.V. 212,800 cargo bikes were sold. This difference can partly be explained by the fact that Germany has five times as many inhabitants and still has to catch up in the use of cargo bikes compared to the Netherlands. Another factor will be that there are interesting subsidy schemes for the purchase of cargo bikes in Germany.

    In addition, it also plays a role in Germany that so-called ‘longtails’ (bicycles with an extended rear carrier) and delivery bicycles are counted as ‘Lastenrad’. In the Netherlands, a ‘bakfiets’ is a bicycle with a box in the front or at the back. A more neutral term, which includes cargo and cargo bikes as well as longtails and delivery bikes, is ‘transport bike’.

    There are more than thirty manufacturers of utility and cargo bikes in the Netherlands. In addition, there are also many dozens of foreign companies active on the Dutch market. Some companies produce exclusively for the private market, others exclusively for the business market, and many companies produce for both private and business users.

    Inquiries with the various cargo bike manufacturers have shown that they too have the strong impression that the sales figures of the RAI Association are far below the actual figures. Based on the data provided by them, Sluijsmans comes to the conclusion that the number of cargo bikes sold in the Netherlands in 2022 will be around 40,000. That is considerably more than the 8,901 according to the data of the RAI Association.

  3. Dutch e-bike insurance market grows to €550 million

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    In the past year, the Dutch spent €550 million on insuring their electric bicycles.

    Source: Multiscope

    On average, insurance costs €14 per month. The most popular provider in this insurance market is ANWB. Hybrid bicycles are most often insured (73%). This is evident from the third edition of the E-bike Monitor, a large-scale study by Multiscope among more than 5,000 Dutch people.

    Sharp increase in the e-bike insurance market

    The total e-bike insurance market currently has an annual value of €550 million. Last year it stood at €313 million. This increase is due to the growth in the number of e-bikes, and higher monthly insurance costs. On average, these costs currently amount to €14 per month. Insuring a hybrid bicycle is the most expensive, costing an average of €16 per month. 5% of e-bike owners report a bike having been stolen in the past.

    ANWB most popular insurer

    Most e-bikes are insured through ANWB. In addition to ANWB, ENRA, Kingpolis and Univé also occupy a large part of this insurance market. Unigarant, Allianz and Interpolis follow at some distance. It is striking that 13% of the Dutch do not know with whom their electric bicycle is insured.

    Hybrid bicycles most insured

    Six out of ten electric bicycles are insured. This share is remarkably higher for electric hybrid bicycles (73%). Electric cargo bikes and folding bikes, on the other hand, are insured less often, at 40% and 30% respectively. In general, it can be said that the higher the value of an electric bicycle, the more often it is insured.

    About Multiscope

    Multiscope is a specialist in online market research. We support companies and organizations in making the right decisions through online panels, market reports and innovative research solutions.

    The results in this press release come from the third edition of the E-bike Monitor, a large-scale survey of electric bicycles, electric scooters and light electric vehicles in the Netherlands. The survey surveyed 5,063 respondents aged 18 and over, representing the Dutch population.

  4. European production line for Lacros

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    Source: NieuwsFiets.com May, 2023

    Lacros has been on the market since 2009 and has since become a core brand in compact electric bicycles. In 2021, the manufacturer moved to a self-developed business premises in Schijndel in Brabant, where consumers come from far and wide for a test drive, service, advice or to buy one of the models from the collection.

    The market for compact electric bicycles is a niche market, but Lacros feels comfortable with it, because the numbers have increased enormously in recent years.

    Compact e-bikes may be smaller in size, but often big on performance and benefits. They are ideal for use in the so-called ‘last mile’ and handy in public transport, camper, boat or caravan, but the electric folding bicycles from Lacros are also extremely suitable for daily use and for longer distances. Thanks to their versatility and ease of use, these bicycles contribute to sustainable mobility.

    Lacros is sold directly to consumers, but also works with more than 60 dealers in the Netherlands, further increasing availability and service level. In addition to the Netherlands, Lacros also has dealers (bicycle shops and caravan companies) in Belgium, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. The brand also provides a home service, and Lacros has five service buses driving around in the Netherlands and Belgium for this purpose. Lacros bicycles find their way to users all over Europe, from Finland to Greece and from Germany to Ireland. “Our customers say it’s great that any problems are resolved quickly. For example, if a spoke is broken on holiday, we will send a new one. We sometimes do that with loaner batteries,” says marketing manager Jesse Smits. “That is a form of service that you do not encounter everywhere. After-sales is simply very important, also because our bicycles are not only used on holidays, but also very often daily for commuting. Then people just have to be helped quickly, if necessary. We can also offer them a loaner bike.”

    In terms of production, Lacros no longer works in Asia, but from its own production facility in Europe. According to Smits, they do this on the basis of high quality standards. Having their own production facility ensures that they have 100% control over all steps of the production process. In addition to the large showroom in Schijndel, the workshop is also located there, where all bicycles are assembled and adjusted. Maintenance and any repairs are also carried out here. The end user can configure his or her ordered bicycle to a certain extent, in order to tailor it to their user wishes. Permanent Dutch mechanics in Schijndel ensure that the bicycles are assembled as ordered by the customer. “We have everything in-house here. We carry out repairs here ourselves and we have everything in stock,” continues Smits. “That was of course a bit less at the beginning of corona, for example with the tires or gear systems, but now everything is back in order.”

    The main target group on which Lacros focuses are recreational users, aged 40 and over, who travel with a camper or boat. But also people who use a compact e-bike for commuting. Lacros distinguishes itself from other brands by being priced in the middle segment. According to Smits, the collection with a Bafang or Motinova mid-engine is valued for its powerful driving performance, and also in hilly areas abroad. “Our compact bikes ride like a big bike with 28” wheels. Partly for this reason, our top model, the S 600 XL, also won at Fietstest.nl. It is very comfortable and for an electric folding bike also a bit bigger with 24” wheels,” says Smits. “We also use larger batteries on our bicycles. A battery of 720 Wh is certainly quite large for an electric folding bike, but we also go for comfort. We equip our models with suspension, a curved handlebar, wide gearing and a wide saddle. That translates into the handling of, as I said, a big bike. And that is appreciated by the customer, because the bike is also suitable for longer distances. In any case, the battery can handle it easily,” says Smits. “Moreover, we can also provide tailor-made solutions, for taller or shorter people. We have also supplied bicycles to people with disabilities, for whom we have ordered and fitted specific parts to keep them safe on the road.”

  5. NIPV publishes 2020-22 report on LEV fires in the Netherlands

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    Source: NIPV

    The Netherlands Institute for Public Safety (NIPV) is the Dutch public research and knowledge institute that links and strengthens ties between the country’s 25 security regions, central government and partner organisations in the crisis management domain through its four service pillars – scientific research, education, support and information.

    The report introduces the fire risks associated with LEVs, mainly around technical faults and charging. Locations of incidents are mainly in the home, and the dangers of such fires are the blaze itself, as well as the toxic smoke. The report aims to review the ways in which such fires start, and better understand these causes.

    The summary records a total 327 LEV fires over a 2 year period, with 65% involving an electric scooter, electric bikes 24%, mobility scooters 7%, and hoverboards 4%. Most of the fires were caused by arson, which was the cause in 37% of the cases where the cause could be determined. In 35% of the cases, the fire was caused by a technical defect.

    The study notes that with increasing sales, we must be prepared that fires are likely to increase, and recommends as follows:

    “This trend calls for extra attention to the (fire) safety of LEVs by the manufacturers of these vehicles. However, building managers will also need to consider fire risks, such as managers of bicycle storage facilities where e-bikes and e-scooters are parked and managers of nursing homes where mobility scooters are stored. Additionally, individuals with hoverboards and e-scooters should consider the fire risks of their vehicles. Finally, sellers can contribute to the fire-safe behavior of consumers by providing targeted information on the safe use (maintenance, charging, storage) of LEVs.”

    Read the report in full, in Dutch, here.

  6. E-bikes might improve accessibility for rural residents

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    Source: Fietsberaad CROW

    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.

  7. Ellio conducts first test rides in the Netherlands

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    Belgian ebike brand makes its first moves in the Dutch market

    This February Ellio held its first test riding and networking events on Dutch soil. With its vibrant range of electric bikes, Ellio aims to develop the most accessible speed pedelecs on the market and thus shape the mobility of tomorrow.

    Over the past few years, the brand has gained a good reputation among speed pedelec fans in Flanders, thanks to their innovative look at a traditional mobility solution. This momentum is set to continue in the Belgian market as the company looks with equal enthusiasm to new horizons.

    2023 is off to a strong start, and the team received a warm welcome at the B2B FESTIVAL in Den Bosch and the Fiets en Wandelbeurs in Utrecht. Ellio reports many positive reactions and excitement for the products, which were well received by the Dutch market.

    The manufacturer shared: “Our ‘made and engineered in Belgium’ speed pedelecs are designed and built with one goal: getting people to their destination as smoothly, safely and quickly as possible, without the car! We look forward to contributing to a more sustainable and healthier future in terms of mobility in the Netherlands with our Ellio speed pedelecs.”

    Ellio at the Fiets en Wandelbeurs in Utrecht

  8. 42% of Dutch own light electric vehicles

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    Source: Nederland Elektrisch, M. de Jonge Baas

    A new large-scale study by E-bike Monitor estimates 14.2 billion euros worth of light electric vehicles, including e-bikes and e-scooters, are currently owned by the Dutch.

    The study concluded that 42 percent of Dutch individuals over the age of 18 own one or more light electric vehicles, equating to 6 million LEV riders and 6.2 million vehicles. The study had a sample size of 5,000.

    Within this bracket, electrical bicycles hold the largest share, with the number of owners growing from 4.6 million to 5.5 million in the last year alone. This equates to an €11.8 billion market value, with the total LEV market growing 24% to reach a value of €12.4 billion.

    Alongside a growing market share, the price of electric vehicles also rose in the last year, with the average cost for a city e-bike rising from €1,876 to €2,036.

  9. Groningen shares the secrets to smooth and sustainable city logistics

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    Source: Mobility Innovation Marketplace, L. Steinberg

    The city of Groningen, the Netherlands, is lauded as an innovator when considering sustainable urban logistics. Following an informative keynote by Lior Steinberg, we now share some of the city’s successes.

    Have you ever considered exactly what goes on out of sight in our cities, that enables us to enjoy the comfort and luxuries of everyday life that we have all become accustomed to? At the touch of a button, we can have orders delivered straight to our door. This delivery system or, urban logistics, is a complex but very productive network and we all love it. But sometimes it doesn’t function perfectly, and this can affect all of us.

    Factors to consider when contemplating urban logistics include traffic congestion and pollution. Some cities have been proactive and addressed such issues – one example being Groningen in The Netherlands. In a quest to improve standards of living, Groningen has been making improvements for decades and is keen to share its strategy for a sustainable city.

    Timing. Perhaps the most logical of all improvements, Groningen has capped the delivery times for cargo and delivery vehicles in specific areas of the city. Deliveries are now only possible between 5am and 12pm unless via a dedicated permit. Rush hour congestion is aided and thus, pollution levels drop, as do the often-forgotten noise pollution levels. Concise planning is required by those using delivery services – particularly businesses – and a faster-flowing network functions well. The strategy has been in place in certain areas for a number of years, but as of 2023, it applies to the entire city, one that is dedicated to improved social activities for those who visit.

    Polluting vehicles. Some might regard this as an obvious strategy, but Groningen has gone that little bit further than most. From 2025, only electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles and those under human power will be allowed in the city.

    Hubs and last-mile implementation. Groningen has constructed several last-mile hubs around the city. Multiple goods are transferred to these hubs by transport services, at which point electric cargo bikes and sustainable methods take over the handling of deliveries to their final destination.

    Cargo Bikes. The relationship which the Netherlands has with bicycles is globally recognised, particularly in Europe. As a nation of devotees of this mode of transport in everyday life, cargo bikes with their sustainable and practical approach have been championed in the country. Now with constantly-developing electric drive systems, deliveries of many sizes will be made faster and more economically distributed.

    Knowledge and collaboration. Keen to expand its founded success, and in a quest to improve our way of life, Groningen has shared its strategies with other European cities. Their approaches have been widely published and projects including Intereg’s Smart Urban Freight Logistics Hubs and Horizon’s Urban Logistics as an On-demand Service have been included in Groningen’s agendas. Let’s hope other cities take advantage of this knowledge.

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