Tag Archive: study

  1. 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.

  2. Study shows risk of brain injury in accidents equal with e-bike and regular bicycle

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    No significant difference in frequency of traumatic brain injury between ebikers and cyclists

    Source: CROW-Fietsberaad

    The knowledge centre for bicycle policy for the Dutch governments, CROW-Fietsberaad, has reported on a study conducted by the Noordwest Hospital Group in Alkmaar that may prove to be a useful counter against anti-ebike sentiment.

    Over a one year period, from June 2016, the condition of a total of 834 patients in a level 1 trauma centre was recorded. The sample offered a good divide between the two modes of transport in question, with 379 ebike and 455 regular bicycle users.

    It was found that the severity of the brain injury was comparable across both groups, where eight victims of an ebike accident and seven victims of a classic bicycle resulted in severe, traumatic brain injury. This small sampling indicates that an e-bike accident does not necessarily lead to more serious head injuries than that of an accident when riding a regular bicycle.

    While the type of bicycle does not appear to be a contributing factor in the level of the injury, it was found that brain damage was more likely if the speed was higher: 26-45 km/h, or if there was alcohol in the system, or use of anticoagulants.

    Link to study (not open access)

  3. Electric bike enthusiasm in Germany increases by 24 percent

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    As reported in numerous publications, a survey by Shimano has examined the consequences of the corona pandemic for the pedelec market and found that 24% of Germans now ride electric bikes more often than before the pandemic, or are more inclined to buy an e-bike.

    The study was carried out in Germany with a sample size of 2,000 people who were interviewed for the Shimano brand as part of a larger group of 14,000 people in twelve European countries. German subjects showed a greater willingness to use or buy an e-bike than was the case before the corona pandemic. Those with the highest probability of buying or using e-bikes were aged between 25 and 34 years of age, at 30%, while the likeliness was only 21% for participants over 55 years of age.

    According to the study, a key motivation for this increased uptake was a possible improvement in general fitness, with 29% of the German participants citing it. 30% stated that they would mainly use an e-bike as an alternative to public transport, as this is one way to avoid the risk of contact with Covid-19. Cars are often preferred, and can outperform, over long distances, but shorter distances in towns and cities it can be faster and more efficient to take an ebike, especially during peak hours. Correspondingly, 16% of those surveyed named the main reason that they would save more time with an e-bike than with another means of transport. When it came to the reason for the increased likelihood of buying or using an e-bike, 33% of respondents felt that an e-bike is a good alternative to motorized vehicles. A large amount of younger respondents (34% of 18-24 year olds) were attracted by the possibility of reducing their carbon footprint with an e-bike.

    The numbers do not tell the whole story. Even though the industry has enjoyed the benefits of a “bicycle boom” worldwide, the interest from the public must be matched by government initiatives and investments at local and national level, such as safe cycle routes, or financial incentives. These factors would help to meet the concerns of the 17% of those surveyed who felt the lack of a sense of security while riding, or the 54% of the participants who cited the high purchase price as one of the biggest obstacles to buying an ebike.

    Source: https://www.sazbike.de/markt-politik/shimano/elektroradbegeisterung-steigt-um-24-prozent-2706606.html?utm_source=sazbike_nl&utm_campaign=Schweizer_Warentester_testen_Smartphonehalter_21102021&utm_medium=email

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