Electric bicycle
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Anelectric bicycle,e-bike,electrically assisted pedal cycles,orelectrically power assisted cycles[1]is amotorized bicyclewith an integratedelectric motorused to assist propulsion.[2][3][4][5][6]Many kinds of e-bikes are available worldwide, but they generally fall into two broad categories: bikes that assist the rider's pedal-power (i.e.pedelecs) and bikes that add a throttle, integratingmoped-style functionality. Both retain the ability to bepedaledby the rider and are therefore notelectric motorcycles.E-bikes userechargeable batteriesand typically are motor-powered up to 25 to 32 km/h (16 to 20 mph). High-powered varieties can often travel more than 45 km/h (28 mph).
Depending on local laws, many e-bikes (e.g.,pedelecs) are legally classified as bicycles rather thanmopedsormotorcycles.This exempts them from the more stringent laws regarding the certification and operation of more powerful two-wheelers which are often classed as electric motorcycles, such as licensing and mandatory safety equipment. E-bikes can also be defined separately and treated under distinctelectric bicycle laws.
Bicycles,e-bikes, ande-scooters,alongside e-cargo bikes, are commonly classified asmicro-mobilityvehicles. When comparing bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters from active and inclusiveness perspectives, traditional bicycles, while promoting physical activity, are less accessible to certain demographics due to the need for greater physical exertion, which also limits the distances bicycles can cover compared to e-bikes and e-scooters. E-scooters, however, cannot be categorised as an active transport mode, as they require minimal physical effort and, therefore, offer no health benefits. Additionally, the substantial incidence of accidents and injuries involving e-scooters underscores the considerable safety concerns and perceived risks associated with their use in urban settings. E-bikes stand out as the only option that combines the benefits ofactive transportwith inclusivity, as their electric-motor, pedal-assist feature helps riders cover greater distances. The motor helps users overcome obstacles such as steep inclines and the need for high physical effort, making e-bikes suitable for a wide variety of users. This feature also allows e-bikes to traverse distances that would typically necessitate the use of private cars or multi-modal travel, such as both a bicycle and localpublic transport,establishing them as not only an active and inclusive mode but also a standalone travel option.[7]
History
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1890s to 1980s
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Op_de_hoek_van_Sluisdijkstraat_en_Keizerstraat_%28later_Beatrixstraat%29_poseert_een_man_met_een_Gazelle_-_RAA003012874_-_RAA_DenHelder.jpg/220px-Op_de_hoek_van_Sluisdijkstraat_en_Keizerstraat_%28later_Beatrixstraat%29_poseert_een_man_met_een_Gazelle_-_RAA003012874_-_RAA_DenHelder.jpg)
In the 1890s, electric bicycles were documented within various U.S. patents. For example, on 31 December 1895, Ogden Bolton Jr. was granted a patent for a battery-powered bicycle with "6-pole brush-and-commutator direct current (DC)hub motormounted in the rear wheel "(U.S. patent 552,271). There were no gears and the motor could draw up to 100 amperes from a 10-volt battery.[8]
Two years later, in 1897, Hosea W. Libbey of Boston invented an electric bicycle (U.S. patent 596,272) that was propelled by a "double electric motor". The motor was designed within the hub of thecranksetaxle.[9](This model was later re-invented and imitated in the late 1990s byGiantLafree e-bikes.)
By 1898, a rear-wheel drive electric bicycle, which used adriving beltalong the outside edge of the wheel, was patented by Mathew J. Steffens. An 1899 patent by John Schnepf (U.S. patent 627,066) depicted an electric bicycle with a rear-wheel friction, "roller-wheel" -style drive.[10]In 1969, Schnepf's invention was expanded by G. A. Wood Jr. (U.S. patent 3,431,994). Wood's device used fourfractional horsepower motorsconnected through a series of gears.[11]
Hub motors fell out of favor until the latter part of the first decade of the 2000s when they made a resurgence on inexpensive electric bicycles.[12]
From 1992, Vector Services Limited offered theZikee-bike.[13]The bicycle included NiCd batteries that were built into a frame member and included an 850 g permanent-magnet motor.
Torque sensorsandpower controlswere developed during the late 1990s. For example, a Japanese patent (6163148) was granted in 1997 to a team led by Yutaka Takada,[14]for a "Sensor, drive force auxiliary device... and torque sensor zero point adjusting mechanism".
American car executiveLee Iacoccafounded EV Global Motors in 1997, a company that produced an electric bicycle model named E-bike SX, and it was one of the early efforts to popularize e-bikes in the US.[15]
By 2007, e-bikes were thought to make up 10 to 20 percent of all two-wheeled vehicles on the streets of many major Chinese cities.[16]A typical unit requires eight hours to charge the battery, which provides the range of 25 to 30 miles (40 to 48 km),[16]at the speed of around 20 km/h (12 mph).[17]
Gallery
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Electric bicycle by Antec, 1991
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A bike equipped with an after market electric hub motor conversion kit, with the battery pack placed on the rear carrier rack
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nCycle (2014) designed byHussain Almossawiand Marin Myftiu[18]
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Brushless DC electric motor(BLDC) bicycle hub motor
Classes
[edit]E-bikes are classed according to the power that their electric motor can deliver and the control system, i.e., when and how the power from the motor is applied. Also the classification of e-bikes is complicated as much of the definition is due to thelegalityof what constitutes a bicycle and what constitutes a moped or motorcycle. As such, the classification of these e-bikes varies greatly across countries and local jurisdictions.
Despite these legal complications, the classification of e-bikes is mainly decided by whether the e-bike's motor assists the rider using apedal-assistsystem or by apower-on-demandone. Definitions of these are as follows:
- Withpedal-assist,the electric motor is regulated by pedalling. The pedal-assist augments the efforts of the rider when they are pedalling. These e-bikes – calledpedelecs– have a sensor to detect the pedalling speed, the pedalling force, or both. Brake activation is sensed to disable the motor as well.
- Withpower-on-demand,the motor is activated by athrottle,usually handlebar-mounted just like on most motorcycles or scooters.
Therefore, very broadly, e-bikes can be classed as:
- E-bikes with pedal-assist only:eitherpedelecs(legally classed as bicycles) orS-Pedelecs[19](often legally classed asmopeds)
- Pedelecs:have pedal-assist only, motor assists only up to a decent but not excessive speed (usually 25 km/h or 16 mph), motor power up to 250W(0.34 hp), often legally classed as bicycles
- S-Pedelecs:have pedal-assist only, motor power can be greater than 250 W (0.34 hp), can attain a higher speed (e.g., 45 km/h or 28 mph)) before motor stops assisting, sometimes legally classed as a moped or motorcycle.
- E-bikes with power-on-demandandpedal-assist
- E-bikes with power-on-demand onlyfrequently have more powerful motors than pedelecs. The more powerful of these are legally classed as mopeds or motorcycles, but may not meet the legal requirements for registration asstreet-legalmotorcycles.
Pedal-assist only
[edit]E-bikes with pedal-assist only are usually calledpedelecsbut can be broadly classified into pedelecs proper and the more powerful S-Pedelecs.
Pedelecs
[edit]The term "pedelec"(frompedalelectriccycle) refers to apedal-assiste-bike with a relatively low-powered electric motor and a decent but not excessive top speed. Pedelecs are legally classed as bicycles rather than low-powered motorcycles or mopeds.
The most influential definition of pedelecs comes from theEU.EU directive (EN15194 standard) for motor vehicles considers a bicycle to be a pedelec if:
- Thepedal-assist,i.e. the motorised assistance that only engages when the rider is pedalling, cuts out once
- 25 km/h (16 mph) is reached, and
- when the motor producesmaximum continuous rated powerof not more than 250 W (0.34 hp) (n.b. the motor can produce more power for short periods, such as when the rider is struggling to get up a steep hill).
An e-bike conforming to these conditions is considered to be a pedelec in the EU and is legally classed as abicycle.The EN15194 standard is valid across the whole of the EU and has been adopted by some non-EU European nations including the UK,[20]and also some non-European jurisdictions (such as thestate of Victoriain Australia).[21]
Pedelecs are much like conventional bicycles in use and function—the electric motor only provides assistance, for example, when the rider is climbing or struggling against a headwind. Pedelecs are therefore especially useful for people in hilly areas where riding a bike would prove too strenuous for many to consider taking up cycling as a daily means of transport. They are also useful for riders who more generally need some assistance, e.g. for people with heart, leg muscle or knee joint issues.
S-Pedelecs
[edit]More powerful pedelecs which are not legally classed as bicycles are dubbedS-Pedelecs(short forSchnell-Pedelecs,i.e. Speedy-Pedelecs) in Germany. These have a motor more powerful than 250 W (0.34 hp) and less limited, or unlimited, pedal-assist, i.e. the motor does not stop assisting the rider once 25 km/h (16 mph) has been reached. S-Pedelec class e-bikes are therefore usually classified asmopedsor motorcycles rather than as bicycles and therefore may (depending on the jurisdiction) need to be registered and insured, the rider may need some sort of driver's license (either car or motorcycle) and motorcycle helmets may have to be worn.[22]In the United States, many states have adopted S-Pedelecs into the Class 3 category, limited to not more than 750 W (1.01 hp) of power and 28 mph (45 km/h) speed.[23]In Europe they are likely to be classed asmopedsrequiring a registration plate and a licensed driver.[24]
Power-on-demand and pedal-assist
[edit]Some newer electric bikes include a pedal assist system (PAS) with or without throttle, allowing riders to pedal while using the electric motor to increase range. There are electric propulsion conversion kits for ordinary bicycles.[citation needed]
Power-on-demand only
[edit]Some e-bikes have an electric motor that operates on apower-on-demandbasis only; the motor is engaged and operated manually using a throttle, with control usually on the handgrip as on a motorbike or scooter. These sorts of e-bikes often, but not always, have more powerful motors than pedelecs.
Withpower-on-demand onlye-bikes the rider can:
- ride by pedal power alone, i.e. fully human-powered.
- ride by electric motor alone by operating the throttle manually.
- ride using both together at the same time.
Some power-on-demand only e-bikes are very different from, and cannot be classified as, bicycles. For example, theNopedis a term used by the Ministry of Transportation ofOntariofor e-bikes which are not fitted with pedals.
Popularity
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Easy_as_Pi_%283593998394%29.jpg/220px-Easy_as_Pi_%283593998394%29.jpg)
E-bike usage worldwide has experienced rapid growth since 1998.[25]China is the world's leading producer of e-bikes. According to the data of the China Bicycle Association, a government-chartered industry group, in 2004 China's manufacturers sold 7.5 million e-bikes nationwide, which was almost twice the year 2003 sales;[17]domestic sales reached 10 million in 2005, and 16 to 18 million in 2006.[16]In 2016, approximately 210 million electric bikes were used daily in China.[26]
According to trade umbrella body CONEBI, electric bike sales in the EU were over 5 million in 2021,[27]up from 2 million e-bikes in 2016,[26]up from 700,000 in 2010 and 200,000 in 2007.[28]In 2019, the EU implemented a 79.3% protective tariff on imported Chinese e-bikes to protect EU producers.[29]In 2022, electric bikes continued to grow market share in the EU, rising to 57% of bike sales in the Netherlands, 49% in Austria, 48% in Germany and 47% in Belgium.[30]
Motors and drivetrains
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Bicycle_motor_%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%A2_%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%97%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA.jpg/220px-Bicycle_motor_%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%A2_%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%97%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA.jpg)
DC motorsare commonly used in electric bicycles, eitherbrushedorbrushless.Many configurations are available, varying in cost and complexity; direct-drive andgearedmotor units are both used. An electric power-assist system may be added to almost any pedal cycle using chain drive, belt drive,hub motorsor friction drive.[citation needed]
Brushless hub motors are the most common in modern designs. The motor is built into the wheel hub itself, while the stator is fixed solidly to the axle, and the magnets are attached to and rotating with the wheel. The bicycle wheel hub is the motor. The power levels of motors used are influenced by available legal categories and are often, but not always limited to under 750 watts. With afront-drivethe motor sits in the front hub, and with arear-drivethe motor sits in the rear hub.[citation needed]Hub motors were common in 19th century electric bicycle designs but fell out of favor until their resurgence in the 2000s.[12]
Another type of electric assist motor is the mid-drive system, where the electric motor is not built into the wheel but is usually mounted beside or under thebottom bracketshell. The propulsion is provided at the pedals rather than at the wheel, being eventually applied to the wheel via the bicycle's standard drive train.Freewheel crank,that is afreewheelin the bottom bracket, is a necessary part in mid-drive systems to allow the electric motor to work inside its optimalrotational speedrange (r/min).[citation needed]
Because the power is applied through the chain and sprocket, power is typically limited to around 250–500 watts to protect against fast wear on the drivetrain.[citation needed]An electric mid-drive combined with an internal gear hub at the back hub may require care due to the lack of aclutchmechanism to soften the shock to the gears at the moment of re-engagement. Acontinuously variable transmissionor a fully automatic internal gear hub may reduce the shocks due to the viscosity of oils used for liquid coupling instead of the mechanical couplings of the conventional internal gear hubs.[citation needed]
The main advantage mid-drive motors have over hub motors is that power is applied through the chain (or belt) and thus it uses the existing rear gears (either external or internal). This allows for the motor to operate more efficiently at a wider range of vehicle speeds. Without using the bicycle's gears, equivalent hub motors tend to be less effective propelling the ebike slowly up steep hills and also propelling the ebike fast on the flat.[citation needed]
Batteries
[edit]E-bikes userechargeable batteriesin addition to electric motors and some form of control. Battery systems in use includesealed lead–acid(SLA),nickel–cadmium(NiCad),nickel–metal hydride(NiMH) orlithium-ion polymer(Li-ion). Batteries vary according to the voltage, total charge capacity (amp hours), weight, the number of charging cycles before performance degrades, and ability to handle over-voltage charging conditions. The energy costs of operating e-bikes are small, but there can be considerable battery replacement costs. The lifespan of a battery pack varies depending on the type of usage. Shallow discharge/recharge cycles help extend the overall battery life.
Range is a key consideration with e-bikes, and is affected by factors such as motor efficiency, battery capacity, efficiency of the driving electronics, aerodynamics, hills and weight of the bike and rider.[31][32]Some manufacturers, such as the CanadianBionXor American Vintage Electric Bikes,[33]have the option of usingregenerative braking,the motor acts as a generator to slow the bike down prior to the brake pads engaging.[34]This is useful for extending the range and the life of brake pads and wheel rims. There are also experiments usingfuel cells.e.g. thePHB. Some experiments have also been undertaken withsuper capacitorsto supplement or replace batteries for cars and some SUVS. E-bikes developed in Switzerland in the late 1980s for theTour de Solsolar vehicle race came withsolarcharging stationsbut these were later fixed on roofs and connected so as to feed into the electricmains.[35]The bicycles were then charged from the mains, as is common today. While e-bike batteries were produced mainly by bigger companies in past, many small to medium companies have started using new methods for creating more durable batteries.[citation needed]
Lithium ion batteries used in e-bikes and related vehicles such as electric scooters have been under scrutiny since 2019 due to their susceptibility tooverheatingand catching fire. A rise in incidents where e-bike batteries were implicated in fires has been attributed to increases in popularity and lack of regulations.[36]Lower-quality batteries are more likely to be manufactured with defects that can cause bulging or bursting.Gig workerswho rely on using e-bikes to do their jobs may also be limited in their choice of vehicle and purchase a cheap orsecond-hande-bike that is more prone to damage.[37]Some jurisdictions, such asNew York CityandSan Francisco,have passed laws requiring that all electric mobility devices sold haveULsafety certifications.[38][39]
Design variations
[edit]Not all e-bikes take the form of conventional push-bikes with an incorporated motor, such as theCytronexbicycles which use a small battery disguised as a water bottle.[40][41] Some are designed to take the appearance of low capacity motorcycles "moto-style", but smaller in size and consisting of an electric motor rather than a petrol engine. For example, theSakurae-bike incorporates a 200 W motor found on standard e-bikes, but also includes plastic cladding, front and rear lights, and a speedometer. It is styled as a modernmoped"moped-style", and is often mistaken for one.[citation needed]
Converting a non-electric bicycle to its electric equivalent can be complicated but numerous 'replace a wheel' solutions are now available on the market.[42]
An Electric Pusher Trailer is an e-bike design which incorporates a motor and battery into a trailer that pushes any bicycle. One such trailer is the two-wheeled Ridekick. Other, rarer designs include that of a 'chopper' styled e-bike, which are designed as more of a 'fun' or 'novelty' e-bike than as a purposeful mobility aid ormode of transport.[citation needed]
Electriccargo bikesallow the rider to carry large, heavy items which would be difficult to transport without electric power supplementing the human power input.[43]These bikes can also allow for adults to continue biking into parenthood, enabling the transportation of children without using a car.[44]
There are many e-bikes design variations available, some with batteries attached to the frame, some housed within the tube. Some use fat tires for improved stability and off-road capability.[45]
Various designs (including those mentioned above) are designed to fit inside most area laws, and the ones that contain pedals can be used on roads in the United Kingdom, among other countries.[46]
Foldinge-bikes are also available.[47]
Electricself-balancing unicyclesdo not conform to e-bike legislation in most countries and therefore cannot be used on the road,[48]but may be legal to use on thesidewalk.They are the cheapest electric cycles and used by thelast mile commuters,for urban use and to be combined withpublic transport,including buses. They are not legal for use on the public highway (including footways and cycle paths) in the United Kingdom.[49]
Tricycles
[edit]Electric trikes have also been produced that conform to the e-bike legislation. These have the benefit of additional low speed stability and are often favored by people with disabilities. Cargo carrying tricycles are also gaining acceptance, with a small but growing number of couriers using them for package deliveries in city centres. Latest designs of these trikes resemble a cross-between a pedal cycle and a small van.[50]
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Diagram illustrating a standard bicycle converted to an e-bike using a retail conversion kit
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A folding e-bike
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A modern electric cargo trike in use in London, with a payload of up to 250 kg (550 lb)
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Some vehicles might not technically be an electric bicycle, but might be grouped in that category by transportation authorities.
Health effects
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Family_Cargo_Electric_Bike.png/220px-Family_Cargo_Electric_Bike.png)
E-bike use was shown to increase the amount of physical activity. E-bike users in seven European cities had 10% higher weekly energy expenditure than other cyclists because they cycled longer trips.[51]
E-bikes can also provide a source of exercise for individuals who have trouble exercising for an extended time (due to injury or excessive weight, for example) as the bike can allow the rider to take short breaks from pedaling and also provide confidence to the rider that they'll be able to complete the selected path without becoming too fatigued[52]or without having forced their knee joints too hard (people who need to use their knee joints without wearing them out unnecessarily may in some electric bikes adjust the level of motor assistance according to the terrain). A University of Tennessee study provides evidence that energy expenditure (EE) and oxygen consumption (VO2) for e-bikes are 24% lower than that for conventional bicycles, and 64% lower than for walking. Further, the study notes that the difference between e-bikes and bicycles are most pronounced on the uphill segments.[53]
There are individuals who claim to have lost considerable amounts of weight by using an electric bike.[54]A recent prospective cohort study however found that people using e-bikes have a higherBMIthan those using conventional bikes.[55]By making the biking terrain less of an issue, people who would not otherwise consider biking can use the electric assistance when needed and otherwise pedal as they are able.[56] E-bikes can be a useful part of cardiac rehabilitation programmes, since health professionals will often recommend a stationary bike be used in the early stages of these. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes can reduce deaths in people with coronary heart disease by around 27%.[57]
Road traffic safety
[edit]Schleinitz et al. (2014) concluded that e-bike users in Germany were no more likely than conventional cyclists to be involved in "safety-critical situations". However, Dozza et al. (2015) concluded (from an analysis of Swedish cyclists) that e-bikers may be involved in more critical incidents but with "lower severity". Additionally, e-bikers were less likely to have dangerous interactions with motorized vehicles.[58]
Environmental effects
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/M%C3%BCnchen%2C_Lieferfahrrad_mit_E-Unterst%C3%BCtzung%2C_2.jpeg/220px-M%C3%BCnchen%2C_Lieferfahrrad_mit_E-Unterst%C3%BCtzung%2C_2.jpeg)
E-bikes arezero-emissions vehicles,as they emit no combustion by-products, but the environmental effects ofelectricity generationandpower distributionand of manufacturing andrecycling batteries[59]must be accounted for.[60]E-bikes emit similar pollutants per kilometer as buses, with emission rates several times lower than motorcycles and cars.[61][62]E-bikes are generally seen as environmentally desirable in an urban environment.[63][64]
A 2018 study in England found that e-bikes, if used to replace car travel, have the capability to "cut car carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in England by up to 50% (about 30 million tonnes per year) ".[65]
A 2020 study focussing on theYorkshireregion ofEnglandsuggested that the greatest opportunities are in rural and sub-urban settings: city dwellers already have many low-carbon travel options, so the greatest impact would be on encouraging use outside urban areas.[66]The study further suggested there may also be scope for e-bikes to help people who are most affected by rising transport costs.[66]
The environmental effects involved in recharging the batteries can of course be reduced. The small size of the battery pack on an e-bike, relative to the larger pack used in anelectric car,makes them very good candidates for charging viasolar poweror other renewable energy resources. Sanyo capitalized on this benefit when it set up "solar parking lots", in which e-bike riders can charge their vehicles while parked underphotovoltaic panels.[67]
The environmental credentials of e-bikes, and electric / human powered hybrids generally, have led some municipal authorities to use them, such asLittle Rock, Arkansas,with theirWavecrestelectric power-assisted bicycles orCloverdale, Californiapolice withZape-bikes. China's e-bike manufacturers, such as Xinri, are now partnering with universities in a bid to improve their technology in line with international environmental standards, backed by the Chinese government who is keen to improve the export potential of the Chinese manufactured e-bikes.[68]
Both land management regulators and mountain bike trail access advocates have argued for bans of electric bicycles on outdoor trails that are accessible to mountain bikes, citing potential safety hazards as well as the potential for electric bikes to damage trails. A study conducted by theInternational Mountain Bicycling Association,however, found that the physical impacts of low-powered pedal-assist electric mountain bikes (eMTB) may be similar to traditional mountain bikes (MTB).[69]
A recent study on the environment impact of e-bikes versus other forms of transportation[70]found that e-bikes are:
- 18 times more energy efficient than an SUV
- 13 times more energy efficient than a sedan
- 6 times more energy efficient than rail transit
- Of about equal impact to the environment as a conventional bicycle.
There are strict shipping regulations for lithium-ion batteries, due to safety concerns.[71]In this regard,lithium iron phosphate batteriesare safer thanlithium cobalt oxidebatteries.[72]
Experience by country
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Legislation has led to more e-bike usage in China, with e-bike rentals catering to that growth.
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Delivery e-bike with license plate inManhattan,New York City
China
[edit]China has experienced an explosive growth of sales of non-assisted e-bikes including scooter type, with annual sales jumping from 56,000 units in 1998 to over 21 million in 2008,[73]and reaching an estimated fleet of 120 million e-bikes in early 2010.[25][74]This boom was triggered by Chinese local governments' efforts to restrictmotorcyclesin city centers to avoid traffic disruption and accidents. By late 2009 motorcycles, were banned or restricted in over ninety major Chinese cities.[73]Commuters began replacing traditional bicycles and motorcycles and e-bike became an alternative to commuting by car.[25]Nevertheless, road safety concerns continue as around 2,500 e-bike related deaths were registered in 2007.[74]By late 2009, ten cities had also banned or imposed restrictions on e-bikes on the same grounds as motorcycles. Among these cities wereGuangzhou,Shenzhen,Changsha,Foshan,Changzhou,andDongguang.[73][74]
In April 2019, China's regulatory policies changed, and new standards around electric bikes were introduced, governing a bicycle's weight, maximum speed and nominal voltage among other factors.[75]Vehicles which apply the new standard, including international 25 km/h speed limit, are legally considered as bicycles and do not require registration. E-bikes out of this standard are considered as motorcycles and are subject to helmet and license regulation.[76]
China is the world's leading manufacturer of e-bikes, with 22.2 million units produced in 2009. Some of the biggest manufacturers of E-bikes in the world areBYDand Geoby. Production is concentrated in five regions,Tianjin,Zhejiang,Jiangsu,Shandong,andShanghai.[77]China exported 370,000 e-bikes in 2009.[78]In 2019, about 223,000 China companies were in businesses related to the electric-bike industry.[75]
The market was valued at USD 13.98 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 34.61 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.48% from 2024 to 2033.[79]
Netherlands
[edit]The Netherlands has a fleet of 18 million bicycles for its population of 18 million (as of 2024).[80]E-bikes have reached a market share of 10% by 2009, as e-bikes sales quadrupled from 40,000 units to 153,000 between 2006 and 2009,[81]and the electric-powered models represented 25% of the total bicycle sales revenue in that year.[80]By early 2010 one in every eight bicycles sold in the country is electric-powered despite the fact that on average an e-bike is three times more expensive than a regular bicycle.[74][81]E-bike sales have now overtaken those of unpowered bikes, reaching 423,000 in 2019 and 547,000 in 2020.
A 2008 market survey showed that the average distance traveled in the Netherlands by commuters on a standard bicycle is 6.3 kilometres (3.9 mi) while with an e-bike this distance increases to 9.8 kilometres (6.1 mi).[82]This survey also showed that e-bike ownership is particularly popular among people aged 65 and over, but limited among commuters. The e-bike is used in particular for recreational bicycle trips, shopping and errands.[82]
United States
[edit]In 2009 the U.S. had an estimated fleet of 200,000 e-bikes.[78]In 2012 they were increasingly favoredin New Yorkas food-delivery vehicles.[83][84]The North American Electric Bike Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.13% from 2021 to 2028.[85]
India
[edit]InIndiaelectric bicycles market was valued at US$1.14 million in 2021, and is expected to reach US$2.31 million by 2027, projecting a CAGR of 12.69% during this forecast period.[86]
Use in warfare
[edit]Ukraine is using e-bikes in thewar against Russia.These donated bikes are used for snipers and anti-tank weapons.[87]This echoes past usage ofbicycle infantryin wartime, particularly by the Japanese forces.[88]
See also
[edit]- Active travel
- Electric unicycle
- Electric vehicle conversion
- Eurobike
- E-tricycle
- Fatbike
- List of electric bicycle brands and manufacturers
- Low-speed vehicle
- Moped
- Mountain bike
- Outline of cycling
- Renewable energy
- Timeline of transportation technology
- Twike
- Electric scooter
- Personal electric vehicle(PEV)
References
[edit]- ^"Guide to e-bikes".Association of Cycle Traders. Accessed May 1, 2022.
- ^Hung, Nguyen Ba; Lim, Ocktaeck (2020). "A review of history, development, design and research of electric bicycles".Applied Energy.260:114323.Bibcode:2020ApEn..26014323H.doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114323.
- ^Stilo, Lorenzo; Segura-Velandia, Diana; Lugo, Heinz; Conway, Paul P.; West, Andrew A. (2021)."Electric bicycles, next generation low carbon transport systems: A survey".Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives.10:100347.Bibcode:2021TrRIP..1000347S.doi:10.1016/j.trip.2021.100347.
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External links
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