E-bicycles use and sales have seen significant growth around the world, particularly in countries with high bicycle use for transport, as a growing number of people are searching for convenient alternatives transport options.
Technological change has seen considerable advances not only in the design of e-bikes but also in batteries and motor technology. Not surprisingly, regulatory change has not kept up with the newest developments.
Australian Regulation
In 2003 Associate Professor Dr. Geoff Rose from Monash University
undertook research on the need for regulatory change to power
assisted bicycle regulation in Australia
Last year the Safer Vehicles Branch in the RTA’s NSW Centre for Road
Safety(CRS) started to undertake research and consult a range of
stakeholders with the aim to develop a discussion paper on changes to
regulation for power assisted bicycles to improve road safety.
Below is the link NSW Centre for Road Safety paper:
We encourage you to read the paper and respond directly to the RTA
by end of June, by submitting it to:
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We would appreciate it, if you could
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.
Below is other relevant information about power assisted bicycle development.
Last year an estimated 25 million e-bikes were sold in China alone. Sales of power-assisted bikes in Germany this year are expected to double the 60,000 sold in 2007,according to Hannes Neupert, manager of ExtraEnergy. In the Netherlands, sales of electric-powered bikes increased from 45,000 in 2006 to 89,000 last year, according BOVAG, a motorized vehicles industry association, which expects that the meter will read 121,000 at the end of 2008. Even in the US e-bikes sales are increasing by 50% each year.
Electric Bikes World Wide Report
2009 Ninth Edition Approaching 40,000,000 LEVs, 190 pages with 300 photos of product and technology by Frank E. Jamerson Ph.D. with Ed Benjamin. Published once every two years with an Update to follow in 2010 (included in price). The only comprehensive source on products and technology in the LEV and automotive EV industry, including market assessment.
Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA)
LEVA is a fast growing association in the LEV industry. Whether you are a western company trying to find the right partnersin Asia, or a Chinese company looking for opportunities in overseas markets, you will discover that the LEVA is the perfect medium for networking, establishing contacts, and expanding your business.
Electric bicycles in the spotlight
Interesting article which argues that the full potential of power assisted bicycles has not been tapped by far.
Electronics and an auxiliary electric motor bring a new playing field for innovation to the bicycle world. For utility bikes, in particular, anelectric motor means a lot of functions, which are simply impossible with muscle power only.
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