Big Issue to create jobs with new e-bike hire scheme

E bike hire scheme partners with The Big Issue to create new jobs

This new project looks to create new jobs during this unpredictable and damaging time where thousands of jobs are becoming uncertain.

The Big Issue is looking to start a dockless electric bike hire scheme in partnership with  ShareBike, a Norwegian firm and are looking to launch from next year.

These ‘Big Issue’ bikes will be available in Cambridge initially and the proceeds going towards helping combat unemployment, especially unemployment surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Another aspect of this project is that it will recruit and retain previous unemployed and they will then run the scheme. This will be in return for a living wave nd will include further support. Individuals, businesses or councils can register their interest on the bigissue.bike website. Every sign up gets one free month

The Big Issue bike scheme will prioritise the area with the most sign-ups and will choose it as its first launch location. The ideal aim is to launch two scheme within the first quarter of 2021, with the larger aim or making the scheme available nationwide.

In Lithuania you can trade in your old car and get €1000 towards an electric bike

This scheme has been extended after the government sees huge demand

Lithuania is further extending a scheme which has allowed citizens to trade in their old cars and receive cash towards the purchase of an electric bike. Lithuania paid out 95% of the €8m set aside for the scheme. €3m is being added to the fund as they country mades a dedicated effort to push toward sustainable transport. 

The Environmental Project Management Agency (APVA) of Lithuania is offering €1000 in exchange for old cars, on the condition that the money is invested in an electric bike, electric scooter or even an average bike. This deal is even better than it sounds as it may be possible to get the full amount even for vehicles that aren't worth the stated €1000. Most of the money has currently gone towards electric scooters with electric scooters and normal bikes making uo €4.95m, with only €269,000 spent on electric bikes.

Voi includes ‘selfie’ feature to improve rider and public safety

Voi have just included a new ‘helmet selfie’ feature which uses AI to confirm whether the user is wearing a helmet when using one of the firm’s electric scooters. Further safety features have been included such as a ‘reaction test’ to discourage drink riding and also a ‘beginner’s mode’ which will limit the scooters top speed at 10mph.

The government is currently running a number of different trials in varying cities across the UK. Voi has a scooter sharing system in six of these cities and has been granted licences for another ten cities. The company has recently raised £120 million as it further seeks to attempt to solidify itself as the biggest operator in the European electric scooter rental market and it looking to triple its UK fleet by the end of the month.

Voi have been under scrutiny recently in regards to rider and public safety surrounding the electric scooter rental scheme and tripling their fleet will only exacerbate issue unless addressed. Government ‘guidance’ suggests that “You should wear a cycle helmet when using an e-scooter. Helmets are recommended but are not a legal requirement”.

Typically in the UK when something is not a ‘legal requirement’ it basically means nobody will comply. However Voi have attempted to address this with the selfie feature that will use AI to instantly detect if the user is wearing a helmet with 95% accuracy and to encourage this, they will offer 5 loyalty points which can enable users to receive discounted rides.

A further ‘reaction test’ safety feature has been introduced in an attempt to discourage drunk riding. Riders will now be asked, at certain times of the day associated with drinking, to tap a random sequence of helmets as they appear on the screen. This in a attempt to get users to think twice about hiring a scooter with impaired cognition. This also comes along with the release of ‘beginner’s mode’, which limits the scooters speed in order to help new users adjust to using an electric scooter.

All of these safety features follow last months announcement that Voi will be trialling a new ‘pedestrian detection’ technology. Luna, a Dublin-based micro mobility company has developed a specialist software to detect when pedestrians are close, or when the rider moves from the road to the pavement, and can adjust the scooters speed.

UK and Ireland general manager, Richard Corbett commented that “We recommend our users to wear helmets as they play a valuable role in rider and e-scooter safety, and the helmet selfie feature fits into our growing lineup of safety tools, including the Reaction Test and the Beginner's Mode, that serve to educate riders about making good when they take a ride.”

Mercedes-Benz launch new electric bike

Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with N+ to release the new EQ formula E team eBike. The Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team is a German racing team that compete in the Formula E championship specifically for electric formula 1 cars.

N+, an electric bike manufacturer, has partnered with Mercedes-Benz Formula E team to produce electric bikes using their branding. N+ already produces the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team road bike and has now added two electric bike models to its catalogue.

Prices from £2,400

The e-bike will feature a 250W mid-drive motor coupled with a 252Wh Panasonic battery, concealed within the seat tube, offering it a modern a sleek design. N+ claim the bike provides a 60km range.

The bike also boasts a removable battery and integrated charging point, with a charge time claimed at 3.5 hours. Further features on the bike include hydraulic disk brakes, carbon fibre fork and a Sturmey Archer 5-speed internal hub. It is currently priced at £2,400 but the upgraded ‘Silver Shadow’ version features a double battery, Enviolo Internal Gear Hub and Gates carbon belt drive, which comes in at £3,400.

Mexican Police now ride 5000W electric motorbikes

The police in Maxicali, Baja California, have just received their new, high power, Delfast electric bikes kitted out specifically for law enforcement. The 5000W ‘Top Cop’, a modified version of the Top 2.0, includes a GPS tracker, lights and police horn. As well as a radio and weapon mounts.

However the bike has its speed limited at 50mph

The bike’s speed is capped at 50mph but the company believes it can compete with most cars in terms of acceleration. It is also claimed to have a range of 174 miles on a single charge.

Comments from the Mexicali police say they are pleased with the bike since the previously used standard pedal power bikes. Furthermore, the fact that the bikes are electric is an added bonus as environmental issues are extremely important in Mexicali as it is one of the most polluted cities in all of Mexico.

Paris introduces ‘e-bike ambulance’

This congestion eating emergency electric bike supplies 150 litres of storages and is nimble enough to cut through traffic and park almost anywhere

This electric bike specifically designed for medics is now in use in Paris. ‘The Emergency Bike’ allows the medics to traverse the city with more ease than a motor vehicle, while still carrying all their necessary supplies.

Designed by PR/tech development company Wunderman Thompson Paris alongside French electric mobility firm Ecox Enterprises, Paris emergency services and Urban Arrow this bike allows for much greater mobility than an average ambulance. Being an e-bike, it also allows for easier parking which can make a significant impact on responding time. Wunderman Thompson Paris even claimed that the electric bike has halved response times.

The actual bike appears to be a modified version of the dual battery Urban Arrow Shorty, which includes an Enviolo N-380 gearing system and powerful Bosch motor. The bike includes an insulated 150 litre box which provides the storage space for medical supplies and a flashing blue LED indicative of traditional ambulances. The bike also comes with reinforced anti-puncture tyres and Shimano hydraulic disk brakes.

Further reinforcing the benefit of electric cargo bikes Pedal Me, who have an electric cargo fleet in London, claim that their fleet has an average moving speed of 2mph faster than vans and a shorter overall delivery time. Especially due to parking as they can literally stop outside the front door.

Paramedics in London will be making house calls on electric bikes to assist GPs this winter

The aim of using electric bikes is to reduce the strain on GPs and ambulances this winter time

A new scheme is being piloted that will witness 12 London Ambulance paramedics make house calls on electric bikes to assist in administering this season’s flu vaccinations. Further to this, they will also be assessing and treating patients with pre-existing health conditions and those with coronavirus.

This pilot in projected to run for 6 months and is an innovation from Merton Health - a collective of 6 GP practices in the the area. The desire is to see a reduction in ambulances sent out and unnecessary attendance to A&E. “Winter is an extremely busy time for our health service and with the exceptional year we have had, we hope this pilot will help relieve pressure on GP surgeries and ensure ambulances go where they are most needed” commented Khadir Meer, Chief Operating Officer of London Ambulance Service.

The pilot intended to run until April 2021. The hope is that it will continue past this and become permanent and expand across London. Electric bikes for medical staff is not new as Paris have already launched something similar with e bikes specifically customised for medics.

Potenial Subsidies For Electric Bikes in UK Could Reduce Prices By 1/3rd

A recent report by The Time suggests that the government is potentially looking at introducing subsidies that could bring the price of a new electric bike down by a third by providing a grant.

With an increasing number of people using bikes for transportation, especially as a way to avoid public transport during COVID-19, the UK government is looking into a way to encourage more riders to commute using electric bikes. Electric bikes are ideal for those who want to commute in their business clothes, older riders, those with partial mobility issues, as it provides a ‘sweat free’ way of commuting but also provides a good dose of endorphins from exercise.

This new scheme will be backed by the taxpayer and is likely to take the form of subsidies, available for different variants of plug-in vehicles, which may reduce their price by 35%. The Times’ report suggests the grants is looking to be a maximum of £3000. This proposal was originally spotted in the Government’s ‘Gear Change’ document. This document, revealed earlier in the summer, included the Bike Repair Voucher scheme.

This final formation of this plan, if it dos ahead, will not be released until Spring 2021 but the Transport Minster, Chris Heaton-Harris expressed that the government “ “is developing a national support program to boost the adoption of e-bikes to levels seen in many other countries.”

Currently in the UK, electric bikes all under EPAC (electric pedal-assisted cycle) and have the same legal standing as regular bikes. To qualify as an EPAC the motor must be restricted to 250W of assistance and must be ‘pedal assist’ (i.e the motor can only work while the pedals are being operated) and cuts out at 15.5mph. The rider must also be 14 years old or over.

While many would comment that the UK is late to the party in regards to electric bike subsidies, with  France, Sweden, and a host of other European nations, North American states and territories  already offering this, it is a significant step forward in recognising the value of electric bikes not only as a leisure tool, but as a genuine form of commuting.

Alongside this plan, the UK has made other promises regarding the reformation of transport with the Department of Transportation announcing £175 of funding to be set aside for councils to improve cycling and walking infrastructure, alongside the £2 billion ‘cycling and walking revolution’ announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier in July.

URBAN ELECTRO sells a wide range of electric bikes to cater to most riders needs, from the commuter to serious biker.