When looking into purchasing an electric bike, there are a few things you should consider. These include affordability, accessibility, and safety. The best thing you can do is to find a good quality electric bike that will fit your budget.
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Table of Contents
Safety
In Changsha, Hunan Province, China, electric bike crashes are very common. However, there are still many limitations in the study of electric bike crashes. There are several important factors influencing the severity of injuries.
One major influencing factor is the age of the rider. The higher the age, the higher the risk of serious injury.
Another factor affecting the severity of injuries is the road and environmental conditions. It is a well-known fact that roads with poor road conditions increase the likelihood of traffic crashes.
Roads with no non-motorized lane facility or median divider facility also significantly increase the risks of electric bike riders being injured. To improve safety, the road environment should be enhanced. Some improvements include eye-catching traffic warning signs at the beginning of the separation belt for non-motor vehicles.
Pedestrians contribute to 28% of traffic accident deaths globally. During the night, pedestrians are vulnerable to being struck by vehicles. On a clear night, the proportion of casualties is much higher than that during daylight.
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Affordability
The affordability of electric bikes is an issue for many people. The government has argued that the price will fall over time. But there are still some challenges for low-paid workers and those with mobility limitations.
The Cycle to Work Scheme is a tax-efficient employee benefit that could improve the affordability of electric bikes. Its benefits include reduced costs for the user and the opportunity to spread the cost over a twelve-month period.
The Scheme is an effective nudge tool to encourage cycling. However, it is not a perfect solution. Some commuters are simply better suited to electric bikes than the pedal-powered variety.
Another obstacle is the aforementioned Scheme’s PS1,000 limit. This is a significant barrier to achieving the maximum uptake of electric bikes.
In order to maximize the Scheme’s capabilities, the Department of Transport is undertaking a review of its guidance. A revision is needed to make the scheme a little more efficient and to widen the range of equipment available.
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Accessibility
It is easy to find a plethora of electric bikes on the market, but what makes one stand out? One of the most interesting aspects of the new scheme is that it will also benefit cyclists who are less than able. The Department of Transport has allocated PS8 million for the project between 2022 and 2023, and Evans Cycles will be providing e-bikes to five UK cities.
The big question is how to get the public to take advantage of such an exciting new initiative. As a result, an intern will be given the job of spreading the word about the program. This should help the scheme achieve its targets and improve the cycling experience of its users.
The Department of Transport’s (DfT) e-bike initiative is the brainchild of former Transport minister Phillip Darnton, who has been a staunch advocate of the scheme.
DfT has allocated PS8 million to the scheme in the run-up to the next election, with a further PS6 million to come in the form of a grant to Oaks and Spokes, a small business that helps disabled people find and maintain the bikes they need to keep moving.
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Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions
E-bikes are a promising way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, although they are not suitable for every person. Vélos électriques can help those living in areas where cycling or walking is not a realistic option for daily travel. In the long run, they can cut transport carbon emissions in many ways.
If the average adult in England rode 5,000 km a year, they could save 30 million tonnes of CO2 per year. This would be equivalent to taking 1.3 million vehicles off the road.
E-bikes can also reduce car dependency, and improve local air quality. These benefits are particularly important for rural areas, which are car-dependent.
However, the number of good public transport services in the country is relatively low, and a significant amount of investment in new cycle infrastructure is required to encourage more people to use active modes.
Although e-bikes are a promising way to cut transport emissions, the total potential for CO2 reduction is greater in rural areas than in central areas of cities. While the lifecycle emissions of an e-bike are less than those of a car, the remaining CO2 footprint is due to transportation and packaging.
