FSN Packages Feed: Could e-bikes reduce pollution and congestion?

Until now, electric bikes have been seen as out of the financial reach of most people - sometimes costing the same amount as a second hand car - and often viewed as a frivolous expense.

But cycle hire schemes and new technologies look set to change this

One initiative aiming to make electric bikes more cost effective is the Swych bike - which is an e-bike kit that has recently hit its crowdfunding target and will be rolling out production in the coming months.

This kit attaches to a regular bike, transforming it into a pedal-assist electric bike.

The entrepreneurs behind the kit say it is affordable, light weight can be used on any bike. Even folding bikes and penny farthings

Here's Oliver Montague the founder and inventor of the Swytch Bike kit

OLIVER MONTAGUE, FOUNDER AND INVENTOR OF SWYTCH BIKE KIT

"The conversion kit that we sell converts any bike into an electric bike it weights less than 4 kilograms and can be installed in about 30 minutes, once it is installed you can convert it back into a regular bike almost instantly."

As well as the start-ups, the electric bike has also caught the attention of bigger companies too.

In central London, delivery firm UPS has launched a trial of an electric bike and trailer - which is testing out a depot to door delivery system.

It's the first of its kind in the UK

Initiatives like these are aimed at reducing congestion on the roads and bring down air pollution levels in major cities.

Pollution in London is a major concern for clean air campaigners like Simon Birkett.

SIMON BIRKETT, CLEAN AIR LONDON

"London's air pollution is the highest in the world probably for Nitrogen Dioxide, which is the toxic gas and it is very high for particle levels, it is a serious problem, probably about 50% above the world health organisation guidelines."

To tackle this, the British government is launching initiatives to double cycling activity by 2025… It is reported that if UK government walking and cycling targets were met, this would significantly reduce air pollution and prevent around 13,000 premature deaths per year.

And that is one of the major driving forces behind those attempting to make e-bikes more accessible, as Oliver Montague the founder and inventor of the Swytch ebike system explains

OLIVER MONTAGUE, FOUNDER AND INVENTOR OF SWYTCH BIKE KIT

"I think everyone in the UK and all over the world want to change their lifestyles and the way that they get around to reduce emissions and to make everyones lifestyles more sustainable. One problem is, charing the way you live is difficult … and unless it is fun and convenient and cheap to do that it is a tough ask. So I don't think many people can use electric cars yet because they are too expensive… but electric bikes are very affordable especially with our swytch conversion kit. They're also extremely fun so that's why I think it is a really great way to promote sustainable transport."

Electric bikes provide power assistance of up to 15mph - enabling riders to keep up with traffic in most city centres where speed limits are often 20mph-30mph.

And because of this, many in the industry are predicting that bikes will go electric, even before cars

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Friday, December 22, 2017

Could e-bikes reduce pollution and congestion?