E-bike loan scheme shows the power of electric in banishing cycling fears
E-bikes take the edge off the physical demands of cycling, but could added power have a psychological effect, too? A UK scheme appears to suggest so
Research consistently reveals that safety concerns and sharing the road with motor vehicles pose significant barriers to cycling. Despite these obstacles, e-bikes could potentially address this issue. According to a Cycling UK survey, only 2% of UK adult journeys are made by bike, while in the US, around 1% of all trips were taken by bicycle between 2009 and 2017.
Safety concerns are the primary deterrent, with 57% worried about sharing the road with lorries and large vehicles, 56% concerned about close passes, and 49% wary of crossing busy junctions. This is where e-bikes come into play, as they can be faster to accelerate, allow for longer routes on quieter roads, and potentially inspire greater confidence in those previously deterred.
A Cycling UK e-bike hire scheme, 'Making Cycling E-Asier', in Greater Manchester and Luton and Dunstable has successfully encouraged people who were initially reluctant to cycle to give it a try. In Bedfordshire's Luton, cycling to work increased from 32% to 75% following the introduction of the scheme. The scheme's Director of Behaviour Change and Development, James Scott, attributes this change to the added boost of power at slow speeds, enabling riders to feel safer and more confident at junctions, traffic lights, and roundabouts.
Additionally, e-bikes allow riders to choose quieter, longer routes, making them a quicker option in many urban areas as well as a healthier and more enjoyable one.
Written by urgent.news from Cycling Weekly's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
