Rising demand for commuting to work, embracing healthy lifestyles, protecting social distancing through mobility alternatives, and undertaking an eco-responsible shift are leading the way in the e-bike boom. The pandemic has elevated these issues even further.
Countries around the world are taking on the challenge to reform our transportation infrastructures. Governments have introduced several incentives to accelerate e-bike adoption. With the progress of technologies it is now simpler, accessible, and desirable to adopt this new urban mobility lifestyle so, why shouldn’t you?
Countries and Cities’ are embracing the new e-mobility shift
Numerous pilot projects, policies, new initiatives to encourage sustainable mobility have been implemented around the world. In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, several steps were taken to introduce new solutions to the various problems relative to traffic congestion, public transport, and risk of transmission of the virus, and the difficulty to deliver and park parcel delivery vehicles.
Governments are now aligned to support plans and sponsor responsible forms of transportation. By establishing or widening new pedestrian and cycling lanes, grants, and tax incentives for the purchase of new electric bicycles, policymakers have embraced greener alternatives and legislation to minimize our shared GHG carbon footprint. Let’s take a look at some of the countries that have initiated the effort of making our world a more viable place to live!
United Kingdom
After investing 250 million pounds of their emergency funds, toward ‘Alternative ways to travel’, such as walking and cycling’, the United Kingdom has now built new cycling lanes through shared road spaces. They have set themselves a target of halving their urban commutes by alternatives such as cycling and walking.
France
Last September, 10 000 e-bikes were launched for a sharing system, followed by a motivational incentive for Parisians to buy an e-bike with an EUR 500 grant, and by the implementation of greener policies to promote the new era of urban mobility. After planning and executing the creation of 400 miles of bike lanes and converting its biggest cross-city route into a biking highway, France has moved forward with its enthusiasm for sustainable mobility.
United States of America
American cities have spoken about their role in embracing a greener, environmentally responsible, and sustainable modes of transport. In order to minimize their carbon footprint, cities such as Seattle, Oakland, New York City, to name a few have taken the initiative to demonstrate their interest in EVs. Stakeholders have come together to enact strategies, projects, establish additional lanes, increase transport pollution control measures, classifying e-bikes as a non-motor vehicle by establishing a 3-class system, and proposed an ‘E-BIKE ACT’ that would promote the adoption of a healthier and more environmentally appropriate mode of transport, thus linked to a potential 30 % tax credit.
Canada
Canada is now looking to expand its zero-emission passenger vehicles by creating new initiatives that would make greater use of e-bikes and, in particular, e-bikes for freight. Across provinces, cities such as Vancouver, Manitoba, Toronto, Montreal, and several others are adopting shared e-bike systems, extending e-bike lanes rebates to encourage a cleaner form of travel. Provinces are still collaborating with the federal government to ensure that e-bikes and freight bikes have the same rules and policies across provinces.
In addition to provincial programs, several stakeholders initiated pilot projects. For starters, the Colibri project succeeded by maximizing up to 40 % of their productivity by adopting cargo e-bikes instead of trucks for their logistic operations. On the other hand, Toronto’s project with FedEx reduced up to 60 percent in delivery costs. Yet the absence of cargo manufacturers in Canada could slow down the growth in distribution of last-mile parcels through urban communities.
How Technology is making it accessible and possible
A key aspect of e-bike acceptance is to provide groundbreaking upgrades based on improving the experience of riders. Engineers and designers have made a multitude of improvements to batteries, bike frames, various types of motors, LCDs, complementary accessories to maximize the feeling of independence when riding an e-bike. In fact, what slowed down the adoption of bicycles as urban transport are its major ‘pain-points.’ Traditional bikes are viewed as a healthy way of commuting, but because of the sweat-inducing effort required while arriving all wrinkled-up to work. Gladly, the introduction of e-bikes combined with advanced motor controllers is making e-cycling a fresh alternative.
Current difficulties of the technology
The technology is almost ready, for the rising demand for e-bikes. At the moment, we’ve got motors and batteries ready to help us achieve a healthier lifestyle, so what are we missing? In today’s models, the «missing puzzles» claimed by many electric bikers are related to the weight, loss of power, thermal constraints, and a lack of battery autonomy that triggers range anxiety. It is frustrating for e-bikers to purchase such an expensive product and experience these issues. As a result, riders should not experience overheating of their electrical system due to unreliable power delivery when ascending a hill or lack of range due to a low-cost power controller. Especially when you can integrate a Canadian-made motor controller that meets the customer’s needs at a cost-effective advantage.
The «missing piece» for success
Paying for an e-bike that delivers the expected is crucial. But meeting customers’ expectations while increasing their range up to 15 % is priceless!
The FTEX Engineering team has developed advanced motor controllers to help e-bikers achieve their goals. Helping commuters, high performers, ex-athletes, enjoy the freedom of riding with more range, higher-efficiency, and a seamless lightweight design.
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