Over the last few years, sustainability has moved to the forefront of consumers’ minds with more and more industries finding ways to go green. This includes city transport, and with commuters looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, electric cars and bikes are quickly becoming a popular option. The benefits are so great that by 2025, we can expect every one in two bicycles sold within Europe to be electric.
With the growing popularity and demand for e-bikes, more bike rental managers are considering the investment. But what are e-bikes and why are they so popular in the cities? Read on to learn more about them and how they could benefit your bike rental business.
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, look like your average bicycle except for one major difference—they have motors, batteries and sensors hidden away that give riders a helping push, reducing the effort needed to cycle at high speeds. There are different classes available with each one offering various levels of assistance and speed.
For bike rental managers, we recommend choosing pedal-assisted e-bikes, also known as ‘pedelecs’. With these models, the motor is only activated when you start pedalling and then stops once the bike reaches the UK’s legal limit of 15.5 mph.
In the EU and the UK, anyone over the age of 14 can take pedelecs anywhere you would normally ride a bike, and you don’t need a driving licence. However, the rules surrounding e-bikes and their different classes do vary, so it’s worth double-checking your local laws first.
There’s no denying that e-bikes are helping shape a greener future for city transport, and investing in them can make bike rental services more attractive to urban commuters. Read on to find out why they are becoming an increasingly popular choice for eco-friendly commute.
In recent years, more and more car manufacturers have been joining the push towards greener transport options, creating fully electric and hybrid car models. Offering a sustainable and economic way of commuting, the Department for Transport has put together a Road to Zero strategy with the hopes of increasing the number of electric cars on the road.
This is fantastic news for the ozone layer, but not so much for commuters. With electric cars being more affordable and friendlier to run, it’s likely that congestion within urban areas will continue to increase. So for anyone looking to get around the city quickly, the agility that e-bikes offer means they’re a much faster, greener alternative.
Space is at a premium around cities, which means parking a car can be tricky. Car parks are expensive and it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to find a spot close to where you’re going. If you’re around London, then there are also congestion charges and car-free zones which restrict travel even further.
Meanwhile, bikes are much smaller and offer more flexibility. They take up less space both on and off the road, and if you can’t find somewhere safe to lock it up, they can be taken indoors. Plus you can use them throughout cities and car-free zones, as well as on roads, in bicycle lanes or through parks, giving you ultimate flexibility while on the move.
Bikes are a great way of combatting the modern sedentary lifestyle, but most people don’t fancy turning up to their date in need of another shower. This is what makes e-bikes a fantastic urban option for travelling—they get you moving while reducing the strain on the rest of your body. This also means they’re ideal for all fitness levels and those recovering from injuries.
And it’s not just the physical benefits, but also the mental ones, too. If you spend all day in an office, then there’s nothing better than the freedom of cycling out in the open air. Cyclists also get to skip those peak-hour traffic jams, making the frustrations of sitting in an enclosed car a thing of the past.
Perfectly suited to the city lifestyle, e-bikes are an attractive option for urban commuters. They offer a cleaner, greener and faster way to travel, are extremely flexible, and they promote a healthier lifestyle without breaking a sweat. And it’s not just the commuters either. Cities are hives of activity that attract visitors from all over who would prefer exploring the sights to sitting in the back of a taxi.
This is where bike rental managers come in. By adding pedelecs to your offer, you can give commuters and tourists the flexibility they need when making their way through the city. With more and more businesses investing in e-bikes, it’s safe to say that the future looks electric for inner-city cycling.