Do you think that e-bikes have a role to play in sustainable transport in the UK?

[Jack.Eagle]

Please comment on this questions and any views you have about it.

Many thanks

Jack

[flecc]

Yes, without question.

For this to become widespread there's a need to overcome the public perception of the danger of cycling, real and imagined.

Properly separated cycleways are an important means of doing that, but they need to have cycle priority at junctions as in the low countries. What we have at present all too often is disjointed sections with confined and dangerous crossing points at roundabouts and crossroads having motor vehicle priority, making for very slow and risky journeys.
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[Django]

Yes, absolutely. If electricity supply can be made greener then all the more so, but anything which reduces the use of cars almost has to be good. I would like to see a greater emphasis placed upon recycling bikes and batteries at the end of their lives and also the use of recycled materials in new bikes. The car industry is getting better at this.

[joab]

I live in Belgium, I don't think so, people are lazy they will use the car.

[Blew it]

Yes, But only if safe cycle routes are improved, extended, joined up and clearly signposted.

Even the good people at Sustrans admit there is no one single map that will help in trying to figure out exactly where the routes are.

Personally, I use a combination of local cycle route information together with Google maps when planning rides.

I have absolutely no intention of being robbed of my retirement by some crazy car, van or lorry driver. Complete segregation is needed.

[carpetbagger]

I definitely think electric bikes have a role to play in in sustainable transport in the uk.
What is badly needed is a signifiacant investment in safe cycling routes in my opinion.I think if you asked people what was stopping them investing in an electric bike /conventional bike, the answer would be safety on the roads.

[rock_hopper]

I think with all the recent talk on cycling safety there might be more of a push with regards training (mandatory cycling proficiency !) and that 'might' encourage more people to try cycling again/for the first time.

Any bike can have a significant role but the cost of the more reliable e-bikes will put many off from that option. The middle ground between cheap and expensive is where the bulk buyers might fit so new/improved models in the that area will be a key factor in how things progress.

[Conal]

I think our culture is a man's home is his castle and his car is an extension of that. Most of us travel into work and back by car and have not been tempted by car sharing schemes because we value our freedom too much and want to keep the flexability having a car brings. Our weather is not conducive to cycling for much of the year and most city roads and car drivers are not cyclist friendly.
However car drivers are being hit hard in the pocket, and it will get worse. I can see a time in the not so distant future where we will look back and tell our grandchildren that each person owned a car. Then, when the choice is public transport, a motorbike or scooter, or a pushbike, we might see the electric bike as a popular choice of transport.

[moon]

Yes but only when bicycles are given equal priority on the streets...its a jungle out there right now!

[JohnofCambridge]

Definitely, A recent opening of a sustrans track has made a lot of difference around here and more cycle ways will increase convenience and separate away cars.

It is also a good congestion charge beater. When Cambridge sorts out its consultation arrangements for the proposed congestion charge - I intend to make some noise about how I swopped from a car to bikes and why we need more infrastructure to persuade others too.

I also feel an example of an executive who can demonstrate that you can be presentable and get about to local meetings with an electric bike