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The electric bike revolution: the promise of subsidies

  • by JW

“The cost of electric bikes are set to be slashed in a bid to give commuters a ‘sweat free’ way to get to work.”

Plus: “Electric bikes can boost older people’s mental performance and their well-being”

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The government says it wants a ‘green recovery’ – which will include more money for walking and cycling and public transport:

Build back better: a green recovery – Vision Group for Sidmouth

The technology is very much there, with e-bikes becoming more and more popular:

The electric bike revolution – Vision Group for Sidmouth

Last year the County Council announced it would be investing in charging points

E-bikes coming to Cranbrook and Honiton stations – Vision Group for Sidmouth

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And today, more investments are promised, as reported eagerly by the cycling industry:

Electric bike subsidies on the way, starting with trials

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Or, as the Daily Mail puts it:

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Electric bike prices will be slashed by up to a third in cycling revolution as government bids to get more people on the roads by offering ‘sweat free’ alternative to normal bikes

  • MPs are planning a taxpayer funded scheme to slash the cost of electric bikes  
  • E-bikes currently start at £600 and can travel at speeds of up up to 15.5mph
  • Transport minister said the government was aiming to boost the use of e-bikes  

The cost of electric bikes are set to be slashed in a bid to give commuters a ‘sweat free’ way to get to work. Ministers are planning to boost the use of e-bikes with a taxpayer-funded scheme targeting ‘people who need to ride in business clothes without breaking a sweat.’ Transport minister Chris Heaton-Harris suggested the subsidies will be unveiled next spring.

Sales of electric bikes and e-scooters have more than tripled since last year as commuters shun pubic transport amid the coronavirus pandemic…

Electric bike prices will be slashed by up to a third in cycling revolution | Daily Mail Online

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Meanwhile in Holland:

Electric bicycle chargers replacing ashtrays in The Netherlands

And in the States:

Harley-Davidson’s new electric bikes look incredible — but they won’t be cheap – The Verge

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But, finally, considering the age profile in the Sid Valley:

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Electric bikes can boost older people’s mental performance and their well-being

Getting on your bicycle can give you an enormous sense of freedom and enjoyment. It can increase your independence and knowledge of the local area, and improve your access to the natural (or urban) environment. It can also be highly nostalgic – reminding you of your childhood cycle rides and the joy of being young.

But beyond the feel-good factor, can cycling actually make any difference to mental abilities and well-being? This was something our new study aimed to investigate – specifically looking at cycling among older adults.

While most studies incorporate exercise in a gym situation, our study wanted to examine the impact of cycling in the real world – outside a controlled environment. So older adults, aged 50 and above, were asked to cycle for at least an hour and a half each week for an eight-week period….

Electric bikes can boost older people’s mental performance and their well-being

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photo: E-Bike Bike Pedelec – Free vector graphic on Pixabay