The Rise Of The E-Bike - In 5 Pictures
E-bikes are booming with signs of them everywhere. To many people's annoyance they are literally littering our pavements. They are not just used by commuters, mountain bikers also use them.
But as their use is booming - so are the concerns about them. Paris has just banned rental e-scooters as a result of a vote against them. Only a small number of people chose to vote - but of them a big majority voted against the scooters.
A small industry of hackers have learned how to by-pass the legal speed limiter which manufacturers install, so cyclists can ride them at 30mph and more, on both pavements and footpaths.
All of which might make you think they are a modern invention - but they are not. The first patent for a battery powered bike was registered in December 31, 1895, to Ogden Bolton Jr. It was a time when people were shocked by naked piano legs, Sherlock Holmes has just appeared as a character in The Strand magazine and Queen Victoria was on the throne, so they are by no means modern inventions.
So here is why knowing some facts is important in this debate. There is much talk of them helping the environment - probably the most important issue of our time. But there is surprisingly little robust data around to show whether they do or do not reduce pollution.
When discussing this issue - there are a handful of important questions to ask:
Does It Reduce Pollution?
First of all there is a huge amount of carbon and other pollution created by manufacturing the bike and its lithium battery and then shipping them across the world from places like China. You'd have to ride it a lot instead of using a car, to off-set the pollution you created by buying the bike in the first place. In the long run, it seems most probable that it would help cut pollution
- but reliable figures are hard to find.
Are People Using Them Instead Of Cars?
The evidence is that only a tiny minority of rise on e-bikes and e-scooters are by people who would otherwise be driving. Even Lime, one of the e-bike providers only claim that only "8% of Lime e-bike riders cited that they would have used a private vehicle, taxi, private hire or car clubs to complete their journey if Lime e-bikes were not available." So 92% of people would have been walking to taking public transport or riding a push bike, Which suggests that e-bikes might be promoting a more sedentary lifestyle which isn't good for people's health.
Source: https://cdn.li.me/content/uploads/Lime-in-London-final-report-2-min.pdf
What Effect Do They Have On Public Transport Provision
In areas where local bus services are already on the verge of being unprofitable, pushing people away from public transport might be the stick that breaks the camel's back and force a removal of bus services, which could force people back into their cars. Although this is more relevant in suburban areas than in the city centres.
Are Councils Paid For Licensing Them?
Some councils have been very keen to promote their use. While they are no doubt motivated by a desire to move people away from cars - they also receive money for allowing e-bike and e-scooter distribution in their area. Camden Council in London, for example tell me that "It is estimated that the council will receive £429,000 income from the contacts, from the operators."
Your Background Briefing
In the 120 odd years since then, the look of the bike hasn't changed that much, although today they are much much more powerful.
Electric bikers are still in the minority, but things are moving fast. Between 2020 and 2022 the proportion of cyclists who use a battery powered bike, has doubled. One in seven (14%) cyclists now owns an e-bike. This is up from 9% in 2021, and double the number who owned one in 2020 (7%). Amongst ‘regular cyclists’ (those who ride at least once a week), almost one in five (19%) now owns an e-bike.
One of the factors putting the brakes on quicker expansion of the market, is the cost. E-bikes can cost £2,000 - £5,000 and with bike thefts rife in many places, it can become impractical for bikers to use them unless there is a secure place to leave the bike.
The high cost however means that although 14% of cyclists use a battery powered bike, they represent a much bigger proportion of sale values. They account for a quarter of spend on bikes, sales of e-bikes reached an estimated £315 million in 2021 – up from £275 million in 2020.
John Worthington, Senior Analyst at Mintel, says “Up until now, e-bike buyers have tended to be men aged under 45 – a group which is a typical early adopter of new technology products and is also the core customer group in the cycling market.
However, Mintel research shows that future purchase intentions are strongest amongst older groups. Amongst those who intend to buy any kind of bike in future, 10% of under-45s and 18% of over-45s say it is most likely to be an e-bike. Amongst over-55s, intentions to buy an e-bike are even higher at 28%. An aging population, which is constantly seeking ways to stay fit and active, offers a growing opportunity for e-bike brands and retailers.”
Some 12% of those who intend to purchase a bike for themselves expect their next bicycle purchase to be an e-bike. Between 2020 and 2021 sales have risen from £275million to £315 million and with the rise of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and attempts to move people out of their cars, most expect this to be a signifiant growth sector of the bike market.
Adam Shaw's presents ITV's Tonight programme 'E-Bikes & Scooters: Trouble On The Roads' which is broadcast on Thursday 31st August on ITV1
The data, graphics and text are completely unrelated to the content of the TV programme and have been created by Adam Shaw and the data comes from the quoted sources.
Comentários