It’s Time for a Scottish Ebike Revolution

During the Covid-19 pandemic, cycling has experienced an explosion in participation. According to statistics from Cycling Scotland, some places in our country have experienced as much as a 213% increase in people cycling on roads. This presents our society with a tremendous opportunity on which to capitalise, from both a public health and environmental standpoint, and electric bikes are just way to do it.

If every person in Scotland was given support to access an Ebike, in the same way that electric vehicles have been supported, then travel in this country would be forever changed. Currently, the interest-free Electric Vehicle Loan, funded by Transport Scotland offers drivers in Scotland loans of up to £35,000 to cover the cost of purchasing a new pure electric vehicle, and up to £10,000 to cover the cost of purchasing a new electric motorcycle or scooter. This could and should easily be expanded to include Ebikes with potential for greater value for money to the public purse. Not to mention that Ebikes are eligible for the Cycle to Work scheme.

Forget free bus travel for all, although keep the existing scheme and expand it where necessary to cover those for whom cycling is inappropriate. However, Ebikes should be the main subsidised travel and a key public health strategy. The knock-on effects on health, tackling obesity and of course climate change would be revolutionary.

Even when I am out on a 60-mile ride I think “Gee I’d love a wee electric motor to help me up this hill”. Some people write off the idea of cycling to work because they think they will turn up all exhausted and disheveled like they’ve done an intense spin class at the gym. But it doesn’t have to be that way at all. The whole point of an Ebike is to give you the chance to enjoy some active exercise without going into the red zone. It gives you the help when you need it.

I am a keen cyclist myself, but even I hesitate to think of commuting around town in the full Lycra outfit on my racing road bike. However, with an Ebike, I wouldn’t have to worry about being sweaty or inappropriately dressed for school, work or even a wedding. Urban travel in Scotland should make cycling a no-brainer. When I was in Amsterdam, I was astonished at the cycling provisions. I see no reason why Scotland couldn’t do the same and spearhead a new, greener and healthier transport revolution, particularly in cities. The opportunity exists if we grasp it.

This would be a generational change in which there would be short, medium- and long-term benefits. Let’s all take a second and put our futurologist hats on. People will get exercise as they commute without busting a gut which presents obvious benefits to us all. Plus, the changes to traffic, particularly in town centres where some of Scotland’s most polluted air exists, would be that of a green revolution. These benefits can be extrapolated out from the short to the long term. It doesn’t take a public health or climate expert to see the positives here.

The challenge comes in stopping this uptake in cycling becoming just a fad. Right now, it is nearly impossible to buy an indoor bike trainer – the kind where you can cycle your bike in your living room and utilise apps like Zwift. Trust me, I’ve tried to get one. It is also proving difficult for some people to buy quality bikes. That has been a result of unprecedented demand for cycling equipment. The appetite is there right now, but in the normal course of events it would have all the hallmarks of a fad. However, we still don’t know what the ‘new normal’ will be for us.

Cycling is the perfect social distancing exercise. You enjoy the outdoors, you raise your heart-rate and burn calories, and it is great for your mental health. As we go forward, it might be advisable to avoid mass public transport. If that is the case, then we need to ensure that people don’t all just pile into their cars to socially isolate on their commutes. Therefore, if we can encourage this cycling fad into a boom and make it easier for people with the help of an electric motor on their bikes, we could all reap the benefits going forward.

In a generation we could begin to think about town planning differently with more focus turned to cycling provisions on a par with those we see in the Netherlands and Germany. More importantly, we would see the benefits of a healthier, and happier population, plus the benefits of a healthier environment which is vital for us all.

A help to buy scheme, and a campaign focused on families with children at school could be one of the best investments we could make in our collective futures.

 

Comments (68)

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  1. James McCarthy says:

    Agree whole-heartedly with G. Mackenzie. As an 84-year old having been without a vehicle for 40 odd years, I am now relishing my e-bike, even although it is very heavy.
    But to get more public support we need to get a message out to some of the more thoughtless younger cyclists travelling far too fast on narrow paths/cycle lanes that their behaviour can be intimidating for those with failing eyes or ears, while bells should be compulsory. As for those who bike at night without lights….

  2. Cathie says:

    Not everyone can be a cyclist or a pedestrian, aside from what some Green politicians are saying. Of course we must applaud these initiatives for a cleaner environment. But do not leave behind people who aren’t able to be so active in their movements. I have a terrible vision of people emerging from shielding in maybe a years time, to find that the disabled have been pushed aside and cannot move about the places where they live. There needs to be a clear acknowledgement of our needs.

    1. This is true of course Cathie. But nothing about vastly increasing bikes and ebikes should be counter to mobility for disabled people. In fact a massive reduction in car use would hugely benefit disabled people in air quality and a better culture for mobility.

      1. Cathie Lloyd says:

        Thanks. But I see nothing save a few asides on this. The article mentions buses but not everyone can access them. There needs to be a scheme at least for blue badge holders to get some kind of enhanced access. I’m feeling the tyranny of the fit majority here.

        1. Yes, this article was primarily about bikes and ebikes, rather than disability mobility and access. I’m still struggling to see how increased bike use would somehow detract from disability issues?

        2. Annie says:

          You make a good point. This article only promotes one type of cycling experience. I can see why reading it it’d be easy to believe a bike revolution will exclude disabled and neurodiverse people. Why write about electric bikes and only center their use around fit people? There’s zero mention of disabled people even though they already use electric scooters or bikes. They also use trikes, hand-powered bikes, lying down bikes, or rickshaws. The issue is accessible wheelers are expensive and don’t fit on our poor infrastructures. No room for adaptive bikes on train, shared paths often requiring to dismount and walk, etc. etc. I believe 100% we can have inclusive green transport infrastructure but will this happen? It’s a fair question because if we look around us already a lot is designed for able-bodied people. Sadly cycling is often co-opted into promoting one narrow, socially acceptable idea of health and fitness, but it’s only one small fragment of what cycling can be (alongside clean public transport, less cars, etc.). If you are interested in learning more you can check out Forth Valley Disability Sports in Scotland. There’s also a great campaigning group called ‘wheels for wellbeing’ but it’s mostly centred round London and Cambridge (I won’t get into the politics of that :)). I hope this helps, nothing about us without us:) Have a good one!

          1. Grant McKenzie says:

            Hi Cathie and Annie (I hope you don’t mind me replying to you both at the same time),

            Thank you both for your comments on my article, and you are absolutely right that not everyone can take up cycling.

            My older brother for example has learning disabilities, lives with me as I am his carer, and he cannot ride a bike. He enjoys free bus travel which works incredibly well for him here in Dundee, but that will not be everyone’s experience I know. I would like to see the provision for free public travel extended (not just buses and trains, but specialist transport also. Everyone should be able to access transport in an equal way.

            The main crux of the article is to examine the idea of giving people more active, and greener access to travel through widening options. An Ebike is just one of those options. There are many others of course, and I should have expanded upon those more in the article.

            There was certainly no intention on my part to exclude any group by selecting cycling and seeking to impose on all – there is rarely ever any one size fits all solutions to anything. Indeed, cycling can and should do more to cater for more diverse users.

            Thank you for your invaluable feedback, and for widening the conversation. I really appreciate you both taking the time to engage with what I have written.

            Stay safe

            Grant

          2. Maybe a good response to this would be for me to commission a further article on the issues you raise Cathie and Annie? As Grant says you have widened this conversation and we can expand on it in some detail. The fact is that cities are changing and need to change much more and theses changes need to be inclusive and thoughtful.

  3. gordon cuthbertson says:

    Have just bought an ebike I totally agree with this article. I held off for years for several reasons, I couldn’t afford one, I didn’t want to admit defeat as I already had a good bike. I live in Lochaber the rain is … what it is . I couldnt cycle to work in decent time without arriving knackered sweaty and often soaked (no changing facilities at my work ). The ebike allows me to get to work still in a fit state to work etc and by the way it is fun to be cycling again

    1. Jim Ramsay says:

      Good on you Gordon. Enjoy.

  4. Jim Ramsay says:

    Can’t say how much more enjoyment I’m getting out of cycling at the moment. The cycling infrastructure around here isn’t great. SUSTRANS and the Highland Council are working to improve that, but still a long way to go in Lochaber. Now that the number of cars on the roads has reduced dramatically the roads are so much safer to use. There is an electric bike scheme being developed here, better and safer infrastructure would aid and encourage cycle uptake further.

  5. squigglypen says:

    Make sure the roads keep up with the bike explosion. Cyclists must pass a test. Cycles must be road worthy. Road tax? Before you all get so hyper engage your brain and see the potential risks. Yes great the nation gets fit and pollution down…need a big basket for your weekly shop ..what! you’re having a car as well!….
    (Young woman caught up in the huge wheels of a massive lorry…he didnae see her….)
    You just cannot suddenly throw millions of bicycles on our narrow roads and hope somehow that everybody will accommodate each other….and then Mother Nature throws a spanner in the works…. snow and ice….
    If it’s done with intelligent forethought and investment it would be great… but we couldn’t even get to grips with the virus until thousands were dead…lets hope that doesn’t apply to cycling.

    1. Justin Kenrick says:

      This article is a great step towards doing it “with intelligent forethought and investment”!

    2. Alex Kashko says:

      Accepting the benefits of cycling you do a good job pointing out the negatives. I used to cycle when I lived in London. I tried it a few times in Edinburgh and concluded the drivers were too insane to risk it.

      Now I have nowhere to store a bike where I could be sure it would not get stolen.

      In Switzerland, as I recall, cyclists must be insured and carry the certificate with them.

    1. Alison Macleod says:

      I don’t know if that scheme is still open but here is one way of using it if it is. Communities can access it to buy e-bikes which they then make available to local people to try out, as well as providing support and encouragement to do so safely and enjoyably. This is from the Applecross Community Company FB page:

      Applecross Community Company (ACC) has been awarded £16,706 for the purchase of 10 electric bikes, bike accessories and associated maintenance equipment. This funding comes from Cycling Scotland (£2,688) and Energy Saving Trust (£14,018). ACC also Match Funded £3,975 for the project.

      The project, “Active Applecross”, aims to promote cycling in the community by increasing access to bikes and opportunities to cycle. The project will also include maintenance training and engagement activities to encourage the uptake of cycling. We are purchasing the E-bikes from Volt Bikes.

      The E-bikes arrive on Saturday 19th October and we are organising a drop-in Launch Event at the Applecross Community Hall whilst the bikes are being built! Drop in anytime between 2-4pm to try out the E-bikes and enjoy some refreshments. We are offering all primary residents in Applecross (16 or over) a free 2-week trial of the E-bikes once the project is fully underway, so come along to register your interest!

  6. Donald McGregor says:

    If you can negotiate the system then the Energy Savings Trust will give you an interest free ebike loan over 4 years.

    https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/grants-loans/ebike-loan

  7. Terence says:

    If you want to increase biking in major cities in the uk you will need to have allocated bicycle spaces on trains coming into the cities like they have in Germany.

    1. Yes, very true and very possible

  8. Alex Kashko says:

    “Forget free bus travel for all,”

    WHY? Luxemburg made all public transport free.

  9. Melody Kestrel says:

    Why do these articles always get published during the good weather? Along with a nice stock image of bikes in baking sunshine, of course. Try taking your Ebike (or any other bike) through Glasgow in mid-January thundersnow and you’ll know why people buy expensive reinforced steel boxes with internal combustion engines. Plus there’s the small matter of the agonising death thing under the wheels of a lorry to worry about. By the way, I speak as an occasional cyclist myself. So, once climate change takes hold and all manic drivers are off the road, I’m in!

    1. Wul says:

      As someone recently said in response to our transport minister’s breezy announcements about the UK cycling revolution to come;
      It’s not just about adding some white-painted lines to our already dangerous roads. Cycling as a means of transport needs hard, physical infrastructure. Totally separate and safe lanes for bikes, safe junctions and crossing places. Bike parking, bike spaces on trains & buses. ( how about bike pavilions where you could change, wash, securely store your gear and re-charge your bike whilst you work?)

      At the moment commuter cycling is a calculated risk. Not one I’m happy to take. Make it safe, make it “work” and millions will do it.

  10. Tam says:

    The Scottish Government has a loan scheme in operation just now for e- bikes. They are offering on a first come first served , the oppertunity to get an interest free loan over 4 years up to the value of £6000. Two bikes per houshold up the value of a total of £6000 can be purchased and you can contribute a deposit to your purchase. You can find out more by telephoning the free number at 0808 808 2282. I’m sure the scheme is running to sometime in 2021 on a first come first served bases till the funds are depleted. So hurry and get on your bike to grab that loan. The scheme only applies to residents of Scotland

  11. Andy says:

    I’m one of the people who has converted to an ebike but before we get too ecstatic let’s be realistic just for a moment.
    Its spring, the days are getting warmer and longer and we have plenty of leisure time at the moment.
    That will quickly change as life returns to normal.
    Remember where we live.
    Do we really believe that people are going to give up the car at 6am to go to work when it’s pouring with rain and freezing cold, people who work in big cities living on the outskirts usually anywhere from 10 – 20 miles away?
    Think about it.
    Cycling is wonderful but it’s a seasonal fair weather pursuit for most and always will be.

  12. Lena says:

    I have previously advocated that the Scottish government should give every – say 10 year old – a bike on her/his birthday to encourage cycling in this country.

  13. Mr Karl Atherton says:

    As all ready mentioned by a couple of people a loan system already exists managed by the EST scotland . So your article was going well till the second paragraph, more time on the research.

    1. Hi Karl, this has been stopped. More time on your research.

      1. Tam says:

        Hi I phoned yesterday about the loan scheme for e-bikes and have been sent by e-mail an application form to apply for my loan towards an e- bike. Do you mean this scheme has been stopped since yesterday as they have used up the allocated funds ? I would be annoyed if the time I spent on the phone was a waste of time and had been misled.

        1. Grant McKenzie says:

          The information that I sourced indicated that the fund was closed. However, I am very happy to hear that you are able to apply. If I made a mistake I will accept it, apologise and will be more than happy to make a correction.

          The scheme being open does not detract from the key message I was making. Namely of us, as a society, taking the opportunity to make a positive change in personal transport.

          Thanks

          Grant

          1. milgram says:

            Schemes like that tend to open & shut around April for the end of the financial year / govt budgeting rounds. Govt say here’s £10m for the year and once it goes it’s gone til next year. Probably what’s caused the confusion here.
            Articles like this are useful in building the pressure to keep them on a more even funding. (And for having the loan scheme expanded to include e bikes in the first place.)

        2. David G says:

          As far as I know scheme is still active. Certainly hope so as I’m a bike dealer and have a family applying right now for an e-cargo bike via Laid Back Bikes.
          We supplied quite a few bikes over a year or so since it was introduced. Potential customers in rUK have to find other options as EST e-bike loan offer is Scotand only.I
          Also found out that e-bike in Northern Ireland can only be ridden if you have a driving licence! Rest of Ireland same as EUUK.

  14. Margaret crawford says:

    No provisions are made for over 65, I have a bike but I’d like an electric bike, it would help me to get around better, I don’t see why my age should be a barrier, but e bikes are quite expensive

  15. Philip says:

    Totally agree what a fantastic idea would love to see this happening

  16. Emma Hamilton says:

    I bought an e-bike with the help of a four year interest- free loan from transport Scotland. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s changed my life!

  17. Alex says:

    How do I get 1 ebike from Scotland,I love d bicycle n it affordable to drive,it could take u everywhere ur going,so how do I get 1

    1. Tam says:

      Hi to get an application form for a zero interest rate 4 year loan on an e-bike. Phone Scottish Transport on 0808 808 2282. A government adviser will give you all the details on how to apply.

  18. Lee Mo says:

    I’m a father of 2 and sometimes struggle to find the time to exercise.

    Using an ebike for my commute would mean I get my daily exercise and I would no longer need a second car (used only for my commute)

    If a scheme becomes available then I would be all for it helping to reduce my carbon footprint, saving me money and helping me get fitter and healthier

  19. Andrew Eaton says:

    I have been using an e-bike for a couple of years now, and they are great. The main problem is the roads and the drivers, the roads can be in a pretty poor state especially close to the verge, and some drivers have no patience (as usual a small minority) passing when they shouldn’t be. Until the infrastructure is vastly improved, to improve the safety of cyclists, then cycling in general not just e-bike will never reach it’s full potential.

  20. Ivan says:

    My wife and I run a small cafe and were told a few years ago that we did not for the cycle to work scheme because we are the owners and in partnership???? We would love to be able to buy a couple of electric bikes even to eventually deliver to our customers??
    Great article, I fully agree as a cyclist myself it would help to get help after a long day and to get there fresh in the morning

    1. milgram says:

      There are cargo bike loans knocking about, I’d call the number mentioned elsewhere for a chat 0808 808 2282

      1. Alex says:

        Yeh pls ill need 1 here with me so i do get one of those ebike,tell me d cost also pls thanks alot.

  21. MBC says:

    I would love an ebike if I could find one suitable. I live in a top floor flat and as ebikes are extremely heavy, carting one up and down three flights of stairs is not really an option. I also need to be able to carry stuff back from my allotment, or shopping.

    I think we should have e-buses too and not the huge double deckers but smaller more nimble buses with seating designed for social distancing. I think pandemics are going to be with us for a while and that all transport needs to be redesigned.

  22. Hugh McAninch says:

    I am 73 and I broke my hip in January when cycling after hitting black ice and had three pins inserted – I was using my hybrid bike at the time. For the past month I have been cycling 12 miles a day on my EBIKE and every day it gets easier. I can honestly say I could not have done this at this time on my other ordinary bike. The Ebike is a great piece of machinery and can be used either on assist or non assist. Just getting back on the road has been fantastic so for those who are less fit, elderly or recovering from an illness the Ebike is great. I have to admit at first I was a bit self conscious that it would seem to be cheating amongst the more ardent cyclist but not any more.

  23. Michael Quinn says:

    The cycle to work scheme is unnecessarily complicated and favours higher rate taxpayers over standard rate taxpayers. In order to benefit from it you need to persuade your employer to sign up for it, and whilst the number of firms doing so is increasing it still does not cover everyone.
    Another huge failing is that the unemployed and the retired cannot access the potential savings offered, and this is an area that should be urgently addressed.

  24. Gordon Nicol says:

    I agree wholeheartedly with your post our environment would benefit greatly and their would be huge health benefits.
    A petition at change.org or 38 degrees lobbying for a generous grant to those purchasing engines would be a good first step to achieve your goals

  25. Jake Simpson says:

    Riding an E bike is probably slightly more dangerous than being a pedestrian. My wife and I are retired. We decided we would forego owning a car and saving on purchase and running costs. Our experience as full time pedestrians was horrifying.
    Cars turning right without prioritising pedestrians at T junctions. Losing the will to live waiting at Pelican crossings which would challenge Usain Bolt to cross in the allotted time frame. Avoiding drunks driving mobility scooters and cyclists who think its fun to approach from behind and pass with mm to spare. Time wasted by the inability of being able to cross diagonally at intersections. The stupidity of the plethora of different styles of Pelican crossing. Is the green man light on the column across the road, or is it at shoulder height on the column adjacent so that no one can see it. Does it bleep?
    We decided to look at e bikes but came to the conclusion that the convenience of a small car in a Scottish winter car cost wise is within the same monthly budget range.
    Total cost of a modest e bike for my wife and I. £6000. Over 4 years interest free £125/month. Insurance £40/month. We decided on a PCP car purchase which was not that much more. Insurance for the car worked out cheaper!
    In conclusion if you can afford it buy both but on a limited budget and relying on public transport a car wins most times. Maybe PCP contracts for ebikes would be a solution.

  26. Paul Brough says:

    I’m disabled, cycle and don’t have a car. I’m a convert but I think it’s a shame that the thread so much emphasises the negatives around green transport and accessibility instead of seeing the (enormous) potential. And remember Scotland wouldn’t be taking on a risky experiment. Some countries (Denmark, The Netherlands to name but two) are so far ahead that you can safely assume there are no unknowns here. I agree it’s a brilliant opportunity to seize the moment and embed cycling culture. It’s a shame you illustrated with such atypical two wheelers.

    1. We’re doing a follow up article Paul, and will try and focus on the wider range of models and address mobility and disability issues. Thanks for your comment.

      1. milgram says:

        The all-ability cycling at Bangholm is worth a look for that (if not already on the radar).
        https://www.cyclinguk.org/edinburgh-all-ability-bike-centre

  27. Rosie says:

    E-bikes could be a game-changer. Spokes, the cycling campaigning organisation for Edinburgh and the Lothians, ran a competition with the theme of What Inspired You to Use a Bike. E-bikes was a popular answer. http://www.spokes.org.uk/2019/09/spokescomp-2019-inspired-to-use-a-bike/ People daunted by distance or hills found they could now be aided some of the way, and pedal the rest, so still getting the benefits of exercise.
    I believe e-bikes have been getting cheaper and lighter. Edinburgh launched a fleet of hirable e-bikes at the beginning of March – though that could have gone on hold along with everything else.

    Re suitable clothing – in big cycling cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen people wear ordinary clothes. I do the same in Edinburgh, with the addition of a helmet (something not much used in Amsterdam and Copenhagen). You don’t go at Bradley Wiggins speeds, any more than when you walk to work you sprint like Usain Bolt. You go at a moderate pace and it is not a sweaty business. The image of the lycra wearer is a bit of a lazy cliché. I’d say that made up about a third of the cyclists I see on my commute are dressed like that, the rest being in casual or office clothes.

    On the disabled issue – depending on the disability there are options. Someone I know with cerebral palsey gets about on a tricycle. A family member has had a stroke and can barely walk, but he pedals at a good speed on his adapted recumbent three-wheeler. Now he’s independently mobile instead of relying on his partner to drive him everywhere and it’s done wonders for his physical and mental health.

    The problems with cycling in Scotland’s cities are poor infrastructure ; too many drivers going too fast; lack of storage – people end up cluttering tenement stairwells or having to drag their cycles up 3 floors. These are all soluble problems though. Infrastructure can be improved with repurposed streets; filtered permeability; the kind of superhighways they have in London. Edinburgh Council is having outdoor storage units installed. Drivers can be slowed down –more rigorous policing goes some of the way.

    In the 1930s, 40s, 50s cycling was a normal form of transport. Cycling holidays were quite popular among the better off working-class, cycling clubs a normal leisure activity and many arrived at their jobs on cycles. Then the cars took over, the roads and streets became dangerous, and everything became designed around mass transport by automobile – with disastrous results for the environment.

    1. Jen says:

      > Edinburgh launched a fleet of hirable e-bikes at the beginning of March (though that could have gone on hold along with everything else)

      Could you clarify who was offering this pls Rosie?

      1. Rosie says:

        Just Eat Bikes/Serco, part of their hiring system. News about it here.

        https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/e-bikes-arrive-edinburgh-just-eat-bike-scheme-extended-2018781

        However the present crisis might have put them on hold.

        I’ve noticed that the ordinary Just Eat bikes have been well used.

  28. Steven McDougall says:

    Electric Scooters and skateboards are the way to go for people who dont like ebikes due to stupid 250w motor limits.

    Diy esk8 and ebike builder here.

  29. Angel Suguaran says:

    Can I buy this ebike here in UK?

    1. The one in the picture?

      They’re available here:
      https://urbandrivestyle.com/

  30. John Finch says:

    I’d like a scheme where we could buy an ebike at a discount price

  31. Ellie says:

    There already is an eBike loan run by Energy Saving Trust and funded by Transport Scotland https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/grants-loans/ebike-loan
    It can also be used for adaptive eBikes too if a standard ebike isn’t suitable (for example if you have mobility issues).

  32. Dean Agnew says:

    Scottish Yes

  33. Howard Walker says:

    So now instead of four cycles riding 4 abreast we will have 4 ebikes doing the same. No way to overtake on most Scottish roads following the new regulations that say you must give 2 metres clearance.

  34. SleepingDog says:

    What’s the sustainability picture for e-bikes, their manufacturing and rare-earth element/technology metal implications? The lifecycle of the products, their repair and maintenance aspect and final disposal? Upgradability? I suppose the battery technology might be the biggest impact over regular bicycles.

    1. Paul Brough says:

      That’s a very fair question. I have long been frustrated by the whole “zero emissions” lie about electric vehicles and nobody is talking about sustainability. Nevertheless these technologies are a massive step forward from where we were.

      1. SleepingDog says:

        @Paul Brough, I agree that these electric vehicle technologies amount to valuable progress. Similar ethical concerns apply as to any manufactured product, and getting into consumerist traps about e-bikes will be as harmful. However, it also strikes me that Ebike technology may be ripe for open hardware (and software) sharing, so that people may be able to build their own out of standard components, upgrade and repair as well. A quick search on the web found various hits for open source Ebike designs, modules and projects. Open hardware/software can work commercially too, although it tends to take the mystique out of brands, and therefore their markup.

  35. Urban Drivestyle says:

    Hi!
    Great article and we appreciate that you use pictures of our bikes!
    It would be great if you add our name then also, thank you!

    Best regards!

  36. Rosie says:

    BBC article:-
    Electric bikes can slash transport emissions and offer workers a way to return back to the workplace during coronavirus, a new study has found.

    If e-bikes took off in the same way in the UK, as in many European cities, it would reduce congestion, improve mobility, and save CO2, the study says.

    It said the UK government hadn’t yet realised the strategic importance of e-bikes, push-bikes with electric motors.

    The greatest impact would be in areas with poor public transport, it found.

    That’s because a wider range of people would be able to use e-bikes, it said.

    The research comes from the publicly funded Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions (Creds), based in Oxford.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52711992

    1. Thanks for the links Rosie

  37. Petra Sambale says:

    I have been commuting since last summer throughout the winter and carry my e bike up to a third floor flat (taking the battery off and having a light ebike). I have enjoyed it every day and only a few icy mornings prevented me from using the bike. Scottish cities have started to offer cycle storage in multistorey areas. Contact your local councillor for information. I got stronger, fitter and healthier and and that at 50 plus.

  38. David Crichton says:

    There is already of course an interest free loan system in Scotland to help buy ebike…

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