PRESTO* Cycling Policy Guide: Electric Bicycles

*Promoting Cycling for Everyone as a Daily Transport Mode – Intelligent Energy Europe

http://www.etra-eu.com/newsitem.asp?type=3&id=6805232

Document Summary

Article date of Publication: February 3^rd, 2010

This article is one of the most significant and well researched articles published to date concerning electric bicycles. Although most of the research studies cited are European, the conclusions can be easily extrapolated to other countries throughout the world. Prior to this document, research regarding electric bicycles was largely scattered – now PRESTO has created an excellent reference document.

This document was created with the intent of helping local authorities define their cycling policy strategy. Electric bicycles are an essential element to be considered in an overall cycling policy and their importance is increasing at a rapid rate.

Key points:

• The average age of electric bicycle users is decreasing. Originally, electric bicycles were seen more as a bicycle for an aging population. Now they are seen as a valuable mode of transportation for urban commuters
• Electric bicycle riders tend to make less use of the car because they find the electric bicycle cheaper, faster, and healthier than the car
• The largest groups of electric bicycle users are commuters, elderly people, and less sporty people who was to exercise more
• The demographics of electric bike purchasers is broadening with roughly equal percentages of male and female buyers
• Electric bicycle show huge potential for convincing car drivers to substitute cycling trips and municipal authorities must work to help encourage this trend by providing incentives such as free parking facilities, charging stations, and even financial incentives
• Riders of electric bicycles show significant health benefits and electric bicycles often allow people to get into cycling where, previously, they considered cycling too difficult or impractical
• There is a clear relationship between price and performance in electric bicycles. Purchasers of electric bicycles must also be properly informed of how to maintain their bicycles, particularly with regard to charging the batteries to maximize life and performance
• Traditional bicycle shops may not be the best distribution channel for electric bicycles
• Most authorities who develop programmes to encourage alternate modes of commuting are ill-informed with regard to electric bicycles, their features, and benefits
• Cycling infrastructure plans must consider electric bicycles and encourage their use
• The environmental benefit of electric bicycles is tremendous from both the small carbon footprint perspective and low noise
• Many local authorities in the EU are providing fiscal incentives ranging from pay incentives per cycling commute to assistance with purchasing an electric bicycle

This document looks at the markets for electric bicycles but concentrates primarily on European markets. In most of the EU, electric bicycle use is growing at a rapid rate – eventually, electric bicycles are expected to acquire a market share of 25-30% of the cycle market.

Finally, the document provides an excellent overview of the components of an electric bicycle and discusses the frame, motor, controller, charger, and the various types of battery technologies.

An extensive bibliography with articles and websites is also included. The emphasis is on European sources.