DVSA approves throttle only e bikes

DVSA has approved a limited run of throttle powered electric bikes and has Type Approved them as 250W Low Powered Mopeds. These bikes are manufactured by Whisper.

This is a sub-group of Low Powered Moped that meets the criteria laid down in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 (SI 1983 No. 1168) as amended by SI 2015 No. 24. The requirements are that the vehicle:

• Be fitted with pedals by means of which it is capable of being propelled.

• Be fitted with no motor other than an electric motor, which has a maximum continuous rated power, which does not exceed 250 watts and cannot propel the vehicle when it is travelling at more than 15.5 mph”

These Whisper bikes can be powered solely by throttle, which means you don’t have to pedal, up to a maximum speed of 15.5mph. This new categorisation means that these throttle powered electric bikes can been legally ridden on roads and private lank in the UK up to a maximum speed of 15.5mph. 

This is promising sign from UK agencies that might mean that we will see more throttle powered electric bikes legally available to purchase. The introduction of these throttle assisted electric bikes might encourage even more people to adopt electric bikes as their daily form of commute or to push car drivers to make the switch.

Even though London is by far the largest city in the UK, Manchester is currently UK’s per capita leader on cycling in the UK. Perhaps a move towards throttle powered electric bikes will promote more riders to electrify their commute.

Electric Bike Purchasing Guide 2022

Electric Bike Purchasing Guide 2022:

There is an increasingly large amount of choice on the electric bike market, causing many to have option paralysis. This short guide and video will hopefully help assist you in making the correct choice for your needs.

Price:

Electric bikes can range from £699 to £10,000+. While price is often the best indicator to judge the quality of the bike, it is not always the best measure. Judge by the specification, not the brand name.

Usage:

Each rider has specific needs from their electric bikes so this is very particular to each individual. Those looks for a commuting bike would maybe focus on comfort, battery size and range and cargo size. Whereas a rider looking for a bike for the trails maybe focus on high quality specifications, central crank motor, full suspension and other features tailored towards their needs.

Range:

Battery size is a good indicator of bike range. If you are looking for a daily commuter, then range might be important to avoid having to charge the battery often. However, if you are looking for a leisurely rider, you may not need to spend on an enormous battery to give you 80+ miles of assisted range. Remember you can still ride the bike if the battery runs out.

Looks:

This is more of a subjective criteria so difficult to provide particular advice. You can choose bikes which colours appeal to you and you find enjoyable or choose classic colours like black and white that will always be stylish.

Consider all of these criteria before making your purchase to make sure you ride away with the perfect electric bike for you!

Electric bike sales are growing, here might be why

Reports predict e bike sales will reach 17 million per year in 2030 from 3.7 in 2019. The market is already on an upwards trajectory with a 23% year on year increase. It is expected that Europeans will purchase an extra 10 million electric bikes per year by 2030. Electric bikes even outsold electric cars in the US (according to figures from Bloomberg) with an estimated 790,00 e bikes imported compared to 490,000 electric cars sold.

Electric bikes were on the steady incline from before the pandemic but since COVID-19 arrived sales of e-bike have seen a drastic increase. There are a huge range of contributing factors to this including; extended time at home during lockdowns, worldwide promotion of a more active lifestyle, furlough, increase awareness and pressure of climate change and more. 

Recent figures display a growth rate for electric bicycles of 240% in the 12 months leading up to July 2021 while during that same period general cycling equipment only grew at a rate of 15%. These figures show growth on top of the increase in sales displayed at the beginning of the pandemic.

Studies have shown that electric bikes can provide almost as much exercise as normal pedal cycles (sometimes even more). Additional advantages of e bikes are that you can travel further and faster without the same effort meaning you can show up at work without needing a shower on arrival.

North America allow faster electric bikes (up to 20mph and pedal assist) to the UK which still regulate the bikes to 15.5mph and pedal assist. The UK is now further embracing electric bikes by offering them in sharing scheme, similar to the electric scooter sharing schemes we have seem embraced across the entire country.

Harley-Davidson launch spin-off electric bike company, Serial One

Harley Davidson are spinning off its electric bike division into its own separate company, Serial One. This name pays homage to the original motorcycle made by Harley Davidson built by the company in 1903. This comes after years of development and the release of their electric motorbike the ‘Livewire’ (which is also becoming its own, separate company)

Serial 1 will be releasing 4 electric bikes, the Mosh/Cty, a bike designed for urban movement and the Rush/Cty, a higher spec bike with 3 different frame variations and specifications. Each come with 250W motors and can reach 20mph, excluding the Rush/Cty Speed which is and class 3 e-bike, capable of going faster.

These bikes were originally completed engineered and developed within Harley Davidson, and then the decision was made to split into a separate company.

The electric bikes have a consistently sleek theme running through them with virtually no visible wires and cables. The e bikes are powered by a mid-drive Brose Mag S brushless internal motor and assisted by a CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) which can automatically shift gears from its all enclosed, rear Enviolo system which requires no maintenance. The Mosh/Cty and Rush/Cty are equipped with 529Wh battery packs, while the Rush/Cty and Rush/Cty Speed come with the more powerful 706Wh packs. 

The prices range from $3,399 to $4,999.

Cargo bikes deliver faster and cleaner than vans

A study has concluded that electric cargo bikes can deliver approximately 60% faster than vans in city centres. The study discovered that electric cargo bikes had a higher average speeds and could drop off 10 parcels an hour, in comparison for six for vans.

These bikes are estimated to have cut carbon emissions by 90% in contrast to diesel vans, and also by a third in comparison with electric vans. The study, using GPS data from the cargo bike company Pedal Me, found that cargo bikes saved nearly four tonnes of CO2 across 100 randomly chosen days compared to vans,  even when taking into account the food the riders ate.

Nearly 450 independent business and tradespeople across all of the UK are converting to using electric cargo bikes, especially since the pressure is mounting up in city centres as ‘carbon-free’ zones are being established across the country.

Councils across the UK are also embracing this technology. Manchester have undertaken a scheme to provide 26 electric cargo bikes and six trailers aimed for usage by business and community groups, but also available for residents across the city.

E-bike tax credit included in the Build Back Better Act — which now goes to Senate

 The Build Back Better Act, which includes funding for COVID-19 relief, social services, welfare, and infrastructure, as well as funds allocated towards reducing the effects of climate change, also includes e bike tax credits.

The bill totals $1.75 trillion with $7.4 billion directed towards e bike tax credits. The ‘E-BIKE ACT’, a 30% tax credit for an electric bike over five years, would provide a rebate for those looking for a greener alternative to their current transport. The E-BIKE ACT would further include a $81 a month pre-tax benefit for biking to work. This credit can be applied to the purchase of a new electric bike (the first $5000) up to a maximum $750 value.

One claim can be made per taxable year per e bike, two for joint filters, starting in 2022. The credit would be phased out beginning at $75,000 of modified adjusted gross income ($112,500 for heads of household and $150,000 for joint marriage filing) at a rate of $200 per $1,000 of additional income.

This bill has been passed in the house but needs to pass through the Senate to be implemented.

Porsche unleashes two new e bikes alongside their new electric car

The two new models, the Porsche eBike Cross and the eBike Sport, feature carbon fibre frames and full-suspension. This is alongside their newly announced electric Taycan Cross Turismo. These two new are highly specified with the Sport aimed at the streets and thew Cross designed for the trails. The frame has been designed to follow the “organic” shape of the Taycan and the two bikes are powered by the latest mid-drive motor by Shimano, the EP8. The magnesium-cased motor weighs in at a delicate 2.6kg and wields up to 85Nm of torque.

The urban orientated Sport, is equipped with the electronic shifting Shimano transmission and is paired with Magura MT hydraulic disk brakes. Fox provides the rear shock, with Supernova supplies the LED and Continental the tires. The Cross has a similar set up but is more optimised to being ‘off-road’. The larger disc brakes are gripped by Magura MT trail brakes and a mechanical Shimano XT 12-fold shifting system.

Integration is a theme with both of these bikes, with all the wiring and cables concealed to create a sleek aesthetic. Both bikes are capable of reaching a 25 km/h which is currently the limit for electric bikes across most of Europe. 

The Taycan Cross Turismo has a uniquely developed rear carrier for transporting electric bikes. This carrier is specifically designed for electric bikes and can carry two electric bikes with a total payload of 50kg and still allow for the tailgate to be opened.

Free e-bike and electric scooter rides for teachers and more key workers with ‘Lime Aid’

Across the UK various sharing schemes have offered their vehicle sharing services to NHS workers and other essential workers. However Lime have extended their free ride offer now to teachers and a host of other key and essential workers. This scheme was available over the recent lockdown in Milton Keynes, London and Salford and may continue past that.

Lime Aid was launched in October 2020 only for NHS and emergency service workers but now they are expanding their plan to include a larger amount of key worker categories.

This isn't the first time Lime has expanded out into a more socially focused, philanthropic area, for example it also offers the ‘Lime access’ scheme was currently offers discounted rates for those on low incomes. Lime are not the only shared-ride operator to offer it’s services for free, with Voi also running a similar theme offer free rides to emergency workers and NHS staff. Vow also takes this further by offering special discount passes for university staff and students with a scheme called ‘Voi 4 Students’. They also offer discounts to those on low incomes with ‘Voi 4 All’.

We perhaps shouldn't be so ready to view these companies as completely altruistic and philanthropic as there are always motivations lying behind that we cannot see. E-scooter ride companies profit heavily on the collection on the data so this may be a method of attempting to collection specific data on certain workers and also certain economic groups. Data collection is what many believe to be the primary economic driver of these companies however it is not completely clear and these companies are not entirely transparent with this information.

Here at URBAN ELECTRO we sell electric scooters for you to independently own so you are not reliant upon these companies to provide you with transport, you do not have to wait for a scooter to become available or be near you, and you do not need to forfeit any of your private information.