Will the UK be prepared to swap cars for e-bikes to help us emerge from lockdown?

Two schools of thought are quickly forming regarding the length and strength of the lockdown and the government is desperately searching for a solution. 

Research has indicated that the government should strongly consider pushing and promoting the use of electric bikes in order to reinforce their statement telling commuters to avoid public transport and to assist people’s return to work post-lockdown. This recommendation comes after new government guidance is issued for local authorities to provide more space for cycling and walking ‘within weeks’ in order to respond to the outbreak. By using e-bikes, carbon emissions cut could slashed by up to 50% and provide a safer and cheaper way to travel as lockdown measures are relaxed.

Studies has also indicated that there is a “clear correlation” between air quality and the level of death from COVID-19. This has led to the implementation of policies designated to promoting active and sustainable travel

A study conducted by the University of Leeds‘ Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS) found that the most significant impact on emissions would come from electrically assisted bicycles (e-bikes / electric bikes) outside of urban area. It was also noted that their usage in low-income areas with limited access to public transport could assist in cutting the costs of travel and improve access to employment and essential services.

The report suggested that electric bike usage could be in increase in the UK by incorporating a Danish-style strategic national cycle network that can link cities to towns and villages, offering greater travel opportunities for more people living outside urban areas. Electric bikes for key workers has also been suggested in the report, this could be incorporated through electric bike sharing or e bike schemes.

The authors of the report are urging policymakers to find a method of incentivising user to take up electric bikes in order to replace car journeys. Simply replacing 20% of all car journeys alone would reduce carbon emissions from four to eight million tonnes a year. The report recognises that e-bikes need to be defined as “strategically important” transform within 2020 transport initiatives and their use incorporated into local and national programmes.

A more controversial suggestion is that people should be disincentives to use private cars and vehicles excessively where viable alternatives exist. The report reinforces the seriousness of the climate crisis and how action needs to be taken rapidly, alongside the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak. The authors say that “the research began as a way to measure the potential carbon savings that e-bikes can offer” but as their work continued and we slowly emerge from lockdown that “e-bikes can be part of the solution to getting people safely mobile once again”.

Could electric cargo bike bikes be the solution to more sustainable deliveries?

It’s becoming a common sight to see delivery vehicles perched up against the curb, straddling the pavement or illegally parked, causing a string of frustrated drivers to be stuck behind. This is not the fault of individual drivers but a symptom of our antiquated infrastructure.

An electric cargo bike

Delivery trucks across the world averagely make around 100 stops a day which undoubtedly contributes to air pollution, congestion and delays.

This issue is is referred to as ‘last mile logistics’ and refers to the final part of a packages journey from the distributions warehouse to the customer’s location - and with the increasing growth of online shopping, especially same-day and next-day, we are seeing delivery becoming increasingly important and this issue has only been exacerbated during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Often these large delivery trucks leaves the warehouses full to the brim or half-empty and due to these rapid delivery times they can leaves up to three times a day to meet the required delivery slot.

It is becoming clear that a different system is needed and we are seeing innovative solutions being offered. Countries around the world are integrating electric cargo bikes into their infrastructure with companies such as Norway Post’s City Hubs in Oslo and Trondheim, KoMoDo in Berlin and Colibri in Montréal. These companies use electric bikes as ‘last mile’ transport from the distribution hubs they set up in the cities in the hope of reducing congestion, CO2 targets and improving road safety.

E-commerce is estimated to have grown by 20% in 2019 and with urban populations ever expanding, the burden and need for commercial freight is growing - which is already responsible for up to a quarter of global CO2 emissions and it is estimated to be as high as 40% of the transpiration emission of cities. Moreover this cost is more than just environmental with urban traffic congestion costing the EU 1% of its GDP at about £86.3bn a year due to product waste and projected productivity losses.

It is clear from this evidence that alongside local couriers and more local food deliveries, commercial freight needs to undergo significant changes. Colibri has installed its distribution ‘nest’ within an abandoned bus station where five shipping containers sit each related to a different company. Inside these containers is a large capacity metal box full of product which can be mounted to the electric cargo bikes.

Shifting to electric bikes is not going to be simple. The reliance upon old transport is heavily imbedded within our culture and mentality and it obviously has its advantages of being protected from the elements, immense speed and the luxuries we can have inside. However we see countries such as Norway, one that is much, much colder than ours, still determined to use them all year round.

Norway Post sites that their eco-friendly vehicles have led to an increase of 25% in worker productivity and a 40% decrease in their carbon footprint is Oslo. Within the city Norway Post have used a mixture of cargo bikes, electric vans and electric Paxster vehicles (A kind of increased capacity moped) instead of their traditional vehicles for almost six months to fantastic results.

Instead of making multiple deliveries back and forth, and multiple vehicles on the same delivery route, only a few need to enter the city to drop off the cargo at the distribution hub. The electric fleet takes care of the last mile.

Consumers have a role to play if we want our country to go clean and help decongest our streets of delivery vehicles, of any kind. Online shoppers should consider avoiding unnecessary rush-ordering packages or request next hour deliveries and allow companies the chance to schedule delves at more ecologically sensitive times. If we can be patient enough to allow up to 3 days for delivery, we can make sure the package can become consolidated into a truck that will only leave when full, rather than sending out a vehicle containing only a few items.

Europe embraces E bikes for COVID-19 Solutions, when will the UK?

France is looking to contribute up to €50 per person to bicycle repairs after the country lifts its lockdown on May 11, in an innovative effort to encourage cycling and to keep cars off the city roads. The Environment Minister, Elisabeth Borne announced a €20 million plan for bicycle repairs, cycling coaching sessions and temporary bike parking spaces. 

A small selection of bikes available at URBAN ELECTRO Rushden

The French government wants to encourage more cycling and to assist in reducing overcrowding on public transport in order to continue practicing social distancing measures. The Minister said the government will accelerate a programme dedicated to allowing employers to cover up to €400 of travel costs for staff who will cycle to work. The government has prepared approximately 300,000 cheques with 50 each for the programme and said they are willing to extend the programme depends upon its success.

Paris, alongside many other cities, are planning to introduce more bike lanes into their infrastructure by using the space dedicated for cars. The city intends to create up to 750 km of new bikes lanes on departmental roads to facilitate commute via cycle around the and outside the capital, notably on e bikes for longer distances.

Paris has approximately 370 km of bike paths and the lanes are expected to increase to 650 km with the temporary measures. Paris will create new bike lanes along busy metro lines 1, 4 and 13. The major east-west thoroughfare, Rue de Rivoli will be reserved for cycling, with only buses, taxis and emergency vehicles allowed on it. The city is also devising plans for more bike connections to the financial district of La Defense on the western side of Paris.

The London commute could change forever

London could be seeing a significant infrastructural change in response to COVID-19. Cycling in London has increased by a large degree and social distancing rules are causing serious congestion on the pavements. Recent plans have been released indicated proposed changes to the capital’s streets post-lockdown which include the widening of pavements, more walking and cycling routes along major routes would be fast-tracked, including temporary cycles lanes to fulfil the current increase in usage.

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has expressed that “a bigger and more expansive tube service” that can observe social distancing may be needed to help us overcome the outbreak. However, the London mayor, Sadiq Khan has commented that some of the millions of journeys taken in London daily must be made by other methods as London’s public transport. 

The proposed ‘rapid construction’ of a cycling infrastructure, using temporary materials and methods, aims at attempting to reduce crowding on public transport. A potential ‘complete transformation’ of local town centres with widened footways on high streets, for social distancing and increased cycling routes may be on the horizon.

TfL (Transport for London) has said its proposed plans are based on the model that cycling distance is likely to increase tenfold, alongside walking which is predicated to increase by five times compared to pre-outbreak levels.

Changes have already been implemented, for example in Stoke Newington High Street and Camden High Street, pavements have already been doubled in size as well as six other locations having theirs widened - one each in Lambeth, Hammersmith, Fulham, Croydon and two in Southwark.

Khan comments “I urge the government and boroughs to work with us to enable Londoners to switch to cleaner, more sustainable forms of transport and reduce the pressure on other parts of our transport network once the lockdown is eased.”

Demand for bike sales has increased across the UK enormously as consumers look to change their transport habits. Cycling schemes saw a 200% increase in orders for those working in emergency services. Cycle schemes allow for employees to claim a tax credit on the bikes they purchase at work. At Urban Electro, we use the GCI cycle to work scheme. You can see how much you can save HERE

The cycling industry is experiencing a sudden boom because of this demand. Shop owners are commenting that customers are saying “i’m getting back on a bike after 15-20 years… I’m going to use it to avoid public transport”.

A recent survey for SYSTRA, a consultancy firm, indicated that 61% of Britons are nervous of taking public transport, even once the lockdown is lifted. Cycling UK has undertaken research which looked at English cities with a good potential for cycling  and has located almost 99 miles of streets and roads in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield, Cambridge and Newcastle which could see major benefit from temporary cycling and walking infrastructure.

Germany have incorporated temporary measures by marking out new cycles lanes with removable tape and mobile signs. Paris is creating 650km of cycle pathways, including temporary ‘corona cycleways’. The Scottishment government has recently announced £10m in funding for councils to provide temporary space.

If this is the future of transport then it makes it clear that we need to adapt in a way that makes transport as easily as possible for us. Ordinary bikes are obviously completely suitable and will guarantee that you will get lots on exercise on your journey. However, making the switch to an electric bike might be a better option. With the added benefit of electric assistance you can reach and sustain higher speeds much more easily and well as increase the distance of your commute.

Mobility in a post -COVID world

COVID-19 has completely revised the way we view urban transport. Lockdowns’ across the world have placed varying levels of restrictions upon the countries and the movement across cities has reached a dramatic low. Pre-COVID-19, we were in the process of transforming from private transport to public, something that has been vehemently fought for and has been on the agenda for years, and now this pain staking work is being unpicked. People seek to avoid crowds as much as possible and therefore public transport and shared / connected forms of mobility have seen an enormous decrease. This has got many considering if this could be the early grave of the new urban-mobility ecosystem that has been growing.

Public transport has taken a serious blow. In an attempt to help restore usage, and faith, in public transport many cities have continued their services but attempted to increase the sanitisation efforts, such as making staff and passengers wear masks and disinfecting high-touch areas on a regular basis. 

Ride-hailing operators have suspended their services and have asked their remaining operators to increase their cleaning measures. China, for example, had ride hailing company, DiDi put protective sheets in their vehicles between the driver and passenger seats.

The outbreak has led many scooter sharing schemes to temporarily remove their services. Bird, for example, has laid off 30% of its work force as a result. Bicycle sharing schemes are proving resilient but we still have a long way to go. Private car usage has reduced, but not to the same extent as public transport, however this is likely because there is nowhere to go!

A survey of 5,000 people conducted by Boston Consulting Group found that keeping a physical distance away from others and general vehicle cleanliness are among the top criteria for selecting their transport options. This survey indicated that pooled ride-hailing and public transport were considered the riskiest while private mobility options were considered the safest. These results are obviously representative of the current outbreak climate and it is responsible to note that cost still remained an important factor, and is likely one of the factors which may eventually bring more users back to ‘high risk’ public transport. 

The negative viewpoint of public transport is likely to subside when COVID-19 treatments are available however it is likely a significant portion of society will be unlikely to return to public mobility and will shift toward private modes; private cars, bikes, scooters and walking.

BCG supports these claims with evidence collected from Shenzhen, China where traffic congestion has almost returned back to 2019 levels, while the metro used is 34% below the 2019 levels in the fourth week after lockdown has been lifted.

The classic commute may be a thing of the past once the country returns to work after lockdown. Social distancing might become a part of our daily life and transport features. It is especially a problem for workers in London. One report warns that attempting to maintain a 2m distance between passenger on the Tube in would reduce its capacity to 15% of normal levels, and buses to 12%. However would our road infrastructure cope with increase private vehicle usage? What is the best solution?

Electric scooters are a potential option with cities across Europe such as Paris and Milan successfully seeing their implementation. E-scooters are ideal for short journeys with E bikes the more suitable alternative for longer journeys. With the increase in consumer demand it is only logical that the government will have to properly legislate electric scooters  by introducing necessary safety precautions such as high-vis clothing, a helmet and a minimum wheel size to tackle the UK’s (many) potholes. With appropriate legislation this might even cause a decline in the shared scooter model as consumers are likely to move toward private ownership over communal shared schemes unless strict sanitisation policies can be put into place.

With recent comments suggesting that the tube might be closed in the near future, now is the perfect time to look for an alternative form of transport and electric bikes are looking like the perfect option. With the ability to assist you for many miles and give you that extra boost of speed you need when you're running late for your meeting, an e bike is the logical choice.

You can view our range of electric bikes here

Are delivery drivers and couriers an essential service?

Since the global outbreak of COVID-19, we have all started to view the world through a different lens. Our value systems are beginning to shift as we start to notice the services which are truly essential to us.

With unsurprising rapidity we realised the necessity of our delivery drivers / riders. Delivery drivers are delivering groceries, shopping and other essential items to those who are self-isolating. However, delivery riders for Deliveroo, Uber Eats and other riders are also equally as valuable.

URBAN ELECTRO RUSHDEN

With fears that many independent establishments will not survive this outbreak, these delivery services offer a lifeline for them to continue to do business, although these companies are currently facing criticism due to the commission they charge.

2 weeks ago couriers were classified as key workers by the government. The chancellor, Rishi Sunak has said that workers on zero-hours contracts are eligible for help under the job retention scheme. But that doesn’t apply to many workers because they’re not technically on contract. “They aren’t doctors and nurses, but they are on the frontline,” says Jason Moyer-Lee of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain. “Couriers and drivers are doing some of the most important jobs around right now, with some of the least protections.”

With certain areas, and even entire cities actively charging and even planning to ban drivers for using petrol and diesel cars, including delivery vehicles, it is evident that a joined together solution needs to be reached and bike couriers may be the fix. With bike couriers able to navigate areas unachievable by vehicles we need to consider how to help them adapt and improve their lifestyle.

This is where electric bikes could come in; reducing the strain on the rider with the electric motor assistance, increasing average speed, expanding the radius for deliveries and therefore allowing the couriers to make more deliveries. It also allow them to provide more essentials and to also make more money. Making the switch to an electric bike is obvious choice.

View our selection here: www.urbanelectro.com/electricbikes

We would like to take a moment to thank all essential workers for their invaluable work, specially the true heroes of our country, the NHS staff.

Now might be the best time to buy an E bike

Many people are still hesitant to make the switch to an electric bike, and while we understand the world has been plunged into uncertainty, the outbreak has highlighted many of the benefits of purchasing an electric bike.

COVID-19 has completely disrupted our transport systems and how we travel on a daily basis. Public transportation has seen a decline in usage due to it’s associated risks and communal aspects. This applies to all shared bike and scooter schemes also. Walking all the tried and tested routes is enjoyable, but eventually it can become repetitive. You could wheel out your old, rusty bike, which is always a good idea, but why not expand your horizons (safely) and go electric?

Let’s consider some of the reasons why e-bikes might become one of the best methods of transportation for our new pandemic and post-pandemic lifestyle and the reasons to finally make the plunge (if you’re lucky enough to still be employed!)

Personal ownership:

The pandemic has brought to our attention a glaring fault in shared scooter and bike schemes because of their communal aspect. Even though infectious disease experts say the risk is low to contract the virus from a shared vehicle, they have seen a massive drop in usage and now it would appear many are slowly pulling back from the UK because of this and the other problems they present.

Empty streets: 

One of the impacts of COVID-19 has been the dramatic decrease in traffic on our roads with sources displaying a decrease of almost 30% in certain US cities and almost 73% in the UK! This decrease is even more striking in some European countries, with Italy witnessing a 65% fall in overall traffic and 70% in personal vehicle traffic. However it is important and responsible to note that cyclist injuries in New York City increased by 43% between March 9th and March 15th so make sure you remember your helmets! Read this article on tips to stay safe while riding during COVID-19.

Social distancing:  Riding a bike (alone!) is an excellent way of exercising while maintaining the social distancing guidelines. Electric bikes with varying levels of motor assistance are the perfect way to get outside and get some much needed fresh air, to feel invigorated by picking up some speed and by getting the much needed shot of endorphins to your brain to keep your wellbeing in tip top shape. It also allows those who have mobility issues still have the opportunity go out and feel the wind rushing through their hair, something that shouldn’t be inaccessible to anyone, especially in 2020. The radius in which electric bikes can reach are rapidly increasing as the batteries and motor become more efficient, with some batteries providing up to 70+ miles of assistance so you can ride farther to escape the congestion of cities with their crowded bike paths which still pose risk.

New rules: 

As one of the first cities to prohibit the use of electric bikes, New York City is relaxing its restrictions. After recommending New Yorkers avoid using public transport, Major of NYC, Bill de Blasio has made the decision to suspend the police departments crackdown on delivery workers using electric bikes. It is very likely that this relaxation will continue post pandemic after the city will see the direct benefits of integrating e bikes into its infrastructure. With businesses and restaurants turning to delivery to continue doing business during the outbreak, the need for efficient, dynamic and fast-moving delivery workers is larger than ever.

Cities are now beginning to recognise the benefit of integrating electric bikes as New York City begins to consider subsidies for ‘frontline workers’ who may need to purchase an electric bike. In the UK bike shops have been declared essential services and the government is offering grants to those who can propose innovative transport solutions to help the country through the difficult time.

Netherlands have recently introduced a government scheme in January which allows employees to lease an electric bike. Workers can get a €3000 electric bike for as little as €7 a month, that’s less than a Netflix subscription! The UK is still slow to adopt but this crisis may be a significant nudge towards going electric.

At Urban Electro we offer a large range of electric bikes, we recommend looking at the brand ROK who offer affordable yet powerful E bikes, both a folder and E-MTB.

UK Government latest electric scooter proposal

After months of ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding the legality of electric scooters, the Department for Transport is finally consulting on what rules needed to be put in place in order for a safe trial period.

Electric scooters quickly and very recently became a very popular method of transport around the world, but the legality is still obscure. This consultation will discuss a minimum age for riders, speed limits, insurance and helmets, speed limits and whether they should be allowed in cycle lanes. 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps commented that the UK is on the brink of a transport revolution as emerging technologies changing the rules of the game. Shapps comments: “This review will ensure we understand the potential impacts of a wide range of new transport types such as e-scooters, helping to properly inform any decisions on legalisation.” 

The electric scooter trials will begin in Portsmouth, Southampton, Derby, Nottingham and the West Midlands. However it will still be several months until scooters are allowed on UK roads and the current legislation has been amended.

Innovative transportation will be supported with a £90 million injection of government funding. For example; medical supplies between Isle of Wight clinics and mainland hospitals are looking to be  carried by drones so as to save time an self-driving cars will move people between Bristol airport, the northern suburbs of Bristol and central Bath. The government is also looking to discuss how best to test new technologies for buses and taxis to simplify planning and payment.

Check out our range of electric scooters on our website or drop in to our Rushden showroom and have a try for yourself: https://www.urbanelectro.com/electric-transport-shop