WestTrans, a partnership of six West London boroughs, are keen to understand the purposes e-bikes can serve and how they fit into sustainable travel. So, this summer they are running a trial for businesses in West London.
The trial will initially involve providing e-bikes to employees of businesses in West London to use to get to and from work, for site visits and for other journeys around the sub-region.
Electric bikes now account for over a third of bicycle sales in Germany, with the Netherlands and Holland not far behind. These countries have embraced the convenience of the e-bike, and its potential to expand cycling to people who wouldn’t, or couldn’t, ride a standard bicycle.
However, e-bike popularity is very low in the UK, despite the benefits they can provide to older people, people recovering from injuries or illness, people who want to cycle but live in a hilly area, commuters, and many others. They also have potential for business use, especially e-cargo bikes.
WestTrans hope that this trial will encourage greater adoption of e-bikes, and increase cycling, particularly for groups who have low cycling levels at the moment.
“E-bikes provide a great balance between active travel – e-bikers still get lots of health benefits – and a quick, convenient way to get around,” says Emily Shovlar, Senior WestTrans Coordinator. “We’re hopeful that businesses across West London will see the numerous advantages of their employees using e-bikes to get around.”
Contact WestTrans, westtrans@ealing.gov.uk, if you’re a local business with employees who could swap their car mileage for bike mileage.
