Urban Transport Group (UTG), a UK network of city region transport authorities, has commissioned a report to look into the benefits of e-bikes for cities across the country.
Transport consultancy Steer will study the potential market for e-bikes in city regions, the full range of economic, environmental, health and social benefits they can bring, as well as case studies from cities around the world that have seen usage increase.
According to UTG, the UK lags behind other European countries on take up of e-bikes – only 3% of bikes sold in the UK are electric compared with 20% in Italy, France, Sweden and Germany and 30% in the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria.
UTG said e-bikes had the potential to “revolutionise last-mile deliveries and widen access to cycling in urban areas”, as well as contribute to broader policy goals of cities such as improved health, better air quality, job creation and reduced congestion.
The commissioned report will therefore aim to ultimately help support urban transport authorities to understand the potential of e-bikes and enable authorities to consider the issues and options around increasing take up, in a way that maximises e-bike potential and minimises negative impacts.
Ben Still, managing director of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and lead board member for active travel at Urban Transport Group, said: “This project will examine the untapped potential for greater use of e-bikes in our urban areas and the many benefits they could bring, from widening access to opportunities to supporting green tourism.
“The key question will be how transport authorities can help to boost take-up, whilst being mindful of any potential issues that could arise from this.”
The report is set to be published later this year.
