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news
koga_e-nova_rt_electric_bike_-_riding_2_1.jpgCall for government to subsidise e-bikes to drive mass uptake
A number of MPs yesterday expressed their support for the Bicycle Association’s call for subsidies for e-bikes and e-cargo bikes to help kick-start public awareness, drive mass uptake and ensure the benefits of e-bikes are felt in the UK.
The Bicycle Association believes that e-bikes and e-cargo bikes will play a central role in the way people and goods move around in the future and would like to see the Government and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) introduce subsidies.
Steve Garidis, Operations Director at the Bicycle Association, said: “Air quality controls, climate change commitments and an ageing population are all important challenges which the Government is addressing as part of its Industrial Strategy. E-bikes can provide a cost-effective solution to all three of these issues and help reduce pollution, road congestion and encourage the health benefits of cycling.
“E-cargo bikes in particular can help improve air quality in urban areas by providing an alternative delivery method to vans and motorbikes. We encourage the Government to recognise the strategic urgency of supporting e-bikes by extending the current OLEV subsidy for electric vehicles, to help unlock these benefits.”
The parliamentary debate was hosted by Andrew Selous, MP for South West Bedfordshire and Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group (APPCG), who said: “I look forward to working with the Bicycle Association to support the future success of the cycling industry in the UK.
“E-bikes have a valuable role to play in the future mobility in our towns and cities but currently only a fraction of their potential has been realised compared to the rest of Europe. To ensure e-bikes are seen as a priority, I’m calling on the Government to recognise e-bikes as low emission vehicles, an important first step in promoting uptake in future.”
Ruth Cadbury, Vice-Chair of the APPCG and MP for Brentford and Isleworth, added: “There is no doubt that the extent of cycling and e-bike roll-out in other countries in Europe has been massive and that the UK is behind the trend {…} OLEV should recognise e-bikes as low emission vehicles, which would unblock some subsidy options that are available to other types of e-vehicles.”
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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23 comments
It may help but its the UK’s attitude towards anyone on a bicycle that is the problem.
It may help but its the UK’s attitude towards anyone on a bicycle that is the problem.
If you want to go faster unassisted buy an unrestricted e-moped and get insurance, registration and a motorcycle helmet.
The current restriction for pedalecs is supposed to be about electrically assisting not increasing your normal speed, it should in fact be reduced to 12mph IMHO .
That can't be right, or your wording is a little off!
An e-bike makes riding easier, which by default increases your speed - everyone I've ridden with who has been on an e-bike has ridden at a higher overall pace than when they were on a normal bike because they continue to put in their usual effort as well as having the assist.
The limit for e-bikes will be to do with safety etc, hence the max speed limit where the assist drops off. That's not to say that bikes are unsafe beyond 15mph, as clearly they are fine, but if the restriction wasn't there all hell could break loose given the ease with which 'home made' e-bikes can be created, many of which would be leathal.
I have no problem with the 15mph limit, and in fact think it could be increased a little, but throttles should be banned - i.e. e-bikes should have to be pedal assist. I may be wrong but I'd imagine the biggest issues with e-bikes tend to be with those riding purely with the throttle.
please read again, I said go faster UNASSISTED, as has been seen, those buying e-bikes are in the older groups and not used to cycling recently or if they do plod about on the odd ride into town for shopping not doing even 15mph so they misjudge the speed/braking distance and come a cropper.
This is demonstrated even on the netherlands safer cycling infra with huge increase in deaths of e-bike users, chuck that onto UK roads and you have an even more serious problem. It clearly is not "fine" as you put it.
Increasing the unassisted speed further increases the danger even more, sorry but you really haven't got a clue regarding the issues and how speed is a major factor in that.
It surprises me that e-bikes don't have two restricted speeds. They should be sold with a e.g. 12mph limit for the rider to get used to two wheels and the traffic. Then, if the user desires, the e-bike could be set to the legal limit (15mph). I think it'd be a good idea if the de-restriction to 15mph would require a special tool to encourage the rider to return to the bike shop to get it done and also perform a safety check.
Like this one http://road.cc/content/news/239923-police-sweden-stop-e-bike-rider-after...
If I want to go faster unassisted, I'll stick with my Suzuki
20mph IMO.
Taken back again for almost certainly making me lose my weekend tracking down Chappelle's Shows.
I'd really like an ebike, but I'd like to do more than 15mph. My averaged speed on a normal hybrid bike is 16.4 mph on my journey to work. I think the law needs updating. Even if an ebike required helmets and insurance if they went faster.
It's 15.5mph (25kmph), I think, but in my experience they generally err on the speedier side, i.e. close or just above the 16.4 figure you mentioned
The 40%ish saving would only be available for higher rate taxpayers.
Though a few less of the huge "executive" vehicles would be appreciated.
it's not really the price of ebikes that is holding back the mass uptake of them, it's the hostile environment people would have to cycle in and lack of infrastructure, etc. Basically lack of political will to make cycling a practical option for most.
So true, people who think it's too dangerous to cycle (about 95% of the population) are not going to think an ebike makes it safer.
also these statements abouthow much can be saved wih c2w always seem to ignore the final value payment, I wish they wouldn't it's quite misleading.
Recent figures seem to indicate a different demographic taking up e-bikes, at least elsewhere - and with a closer correlation to reduced motor vehicle use - so it may have some effect. Anecdotally i've heard people who i'd never thought would get on a bike, any bike, mulling them over - so while safety is clearly going to be a major issue, I don't think it's entirely black and white.
I do agree with this, but it's a chicken and egg situation in that increasing the numbers of cyclists tends to improve safety and the public perception of safety (which is probably more relevant). Even if only a few people are won-over by a discount, it's still a step in the right direction.
Buying isn't the same as riding.
THIS
Whilst I'm not going to knock anything that encourages cycling (I've long campaigned at work for a cargo delivery bike, electric assisted, or not) surely the sub title should read '...falling behind Europe when it comes to a cycling infrastructure......'?
Isn't there something like this already, using the existing Cycle to Work schemes tax reductions. e.g.
https://greencommuteinitiative.uk/
Quote From their site:
The Green Commute Initiative is a revolutionary new Cycle to Work scheme perfect for é-bikes. It offers up to 42% savings on bikes for employees as part of the Government’s Green Transport plan but without a £1,000 Limit!
May also be other schemes too
Oooh, well spotted. That's a massive saving on a decent e-Bike - I could stretch to a Tern GSD on that scheme and ditch my Passat oil burner.
Well if they do subsidise I'd be tempted to get one to commute and leave the car at home on all but the worst of wet weather days.