BEBA and BA become one trade association.

[Wisper Bikes]

The Bicycle Association of Great Britain (BAGB) and the British Electric Bicycle Association (BEBA) today announced their amalgamation, to become one trade association representing the complete spectrum of the cycle manufacturing and distribution industry in the UK.

The amalgamation will be a progressive process to bring the two organisations into one, over a 12/18 month timescale. With immediate effect, Mark Loveridge, Chairman of BEBA, will join the Council of the BAGB, and BEBA will be represented on the BA’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG), headed by Alan Cater, with special responsibilities for all issues concerning regulations, safety and advice to government on electrically assisted pedal cycles.

Members of BEBA will be invited to attend all BAGB general meetings and members of the BAGB may attend BEBA meetings.

Phillip Darnton, Executive Director of BAGB said:

“This is a timely and important step to harmonise our working relationships across the cycle industry. While the sales of electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCS) in the UK are still very small, it is by far the fastest growing sector in all European cycle markets, and represents the most important innovation for over a decade. Having one organisation committed to providing “one voice” for the industry is of paramount importance in our relationships with government, Westminster and all key stakeholders. I have no doubt that this will be a signally successful merger with real benefits to all parties”.

Mark Loveridge, Chairman of BEBA said:

“When we established BEBA in 2009, we were determined to create a major focus on the new sector of EAPCS, and to give it a distinct image in the cycling world. Over the last three years, we have made considerable progress in developing the awareness, interest and sales of EAPCS in the UK.

We now believe that the time is right to join forces with the BAGB to take forward this market sector; promote it industry-wide, and use our combined skills and strengths to lead the industry in realising the potential for electric travel”.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

IMO, Great news for the industry!

All the best

David

 

[flecc]

Good to hear that the amalgamation talks were successful, the new combined representation should result in more influence for e-bike matters now. As yet the e-bike industry in Britain was rather too small to stand alone, and this measure could help in it's expansion.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Thanks Flecc, it had to happen, Phillip Darnton from BAGB helped oil the wheels, both associations are very pleased to at last be together. First we had to get our thinking aligned which took a couple of years!!

Mark has just chaired our first meeting as BEBA/BAGB at CycleCity Birmingham. What a great event, the powers that be from all over the country gathered for two days to discuss all things cycling. Mark ran a session "E Bikes their role in the transport mix".

There were two well presented sessions. One from Sally Cairnes (TRL) discussing a survey on ebikes carried out in Brighton with Brighton Uni and Bupa, Sally will be sending me the detail and results of the survey which I will put onto the forum. The second presentation was made by Isobel Stoddart from the Electric Bike Network, again very interesting and full of insight. Mark pointed out that in Germany 5 years ago only 25,000 bikes were sold, this year they are predicting 400,000. Let's hope 25,000 is the tipping point!

There is certainly a shift in the way the cycle industry regards electric bikes. At last there seems to be a solid understanding of the reasons people desire electrical assistance and the realisation that the bike industry as a whole needs to become involved.

All the best

David

 

[Hero Eco]

This is a great development for BEBA and the BA. Ensuring electric bicycles are considered as Mainstream products.
Watch this space.

 

[Kudoscycles]

On googling BEBA came up with...
BEBA....the British Egyptian Business Association.
Alternatively,in the urban dictionary
BEBA..The action of squeezing/caressing a person's cheek with your first and thumb fingers, similar to what an aunt does when she hasn't seen you in awhile. The action is followed by proclaiming "Beba!" with a happy voice. The word is also used to describe someone's cheek in itself. This isn't a greeting, it's usually done after at least ten minutes of conversing. A Beba is basically performed to let the person know you're connected to them in some way, whether it be acquaintance, good friend or significant other.

Maybe after the Garden of Eden and being led astray by the higher powers of BEBA I have lost my way,did Battersea ever succeed?
KudosDave

 

[Hero Eco]

Likewise, I googled Kudos and the urban dictionary says [A sarcastic way of saying "congratulations"]

Also it's linked with many hairdressers and a career searching program

 

[JuicyBike]

This is great news Mark and David! Looking forward to working more closely with the BA and gaining from the help and support they bring.

I have to say the more people I meet within the bike industry the more my faith in humanity is restored.

We've had loads of support from BEBA in the past and their encouragement for e-biking is infectious.
Looking forward to meeting even more, positive, genuinely enthusiastic cyclists within the industry.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Thanks Bob, I absolutely agree with you regarding people in the cycling industry. No one seems to be there to make a fortune they simply love the bike business.

Mark, Douglas and I met a lot of the big wigs from the industry at CycleCity last week including some of the larger dealers, (Halfords, Evans etc.). It was great to see the genuine interest in making electric bikes more mainstream. With this renewed enthusiasm, I really do expect to see a greater uptake in electric biking over the next couple of years.

Thanks should go out to ALL those in BEBA who have been patiently, quietly working way behind the scenes to help gain this acceptance. I must say that sometimes it has been a bit of a struggle, often without the support of those who will ultimately benefit from Mark and the team's endeavours.

All the best!

David