The wheels of change: e-bikes as the new disruptor in micromobility

Micromobility has become a potent trend in UK transportation, accelerated by the rise in shared e-bikes and e-scooters in the country – especially the capital. Shared micromobility is an important contributor to transport decarbonisation – providing a flexible, affordable and environmentally friendly form of transportation[1]. E-scooters and e-bikes are currently in very different regulatory positions, with e-scooters tightly controlled by TfL in London, while e-bikes (for the moment) have freer rein. Despite the perceived positives of shared micromobility, e-bikes in particular have caused controversy – namely careless parking of e-bikes leading to safety concerns for pedestrians, and illegally altered privately owned vehicles causing safety concerns on the road.

Lelde Voino Consultant 22/07/2024

Renting vs owning

E-bike rental schemes may be more effective at reducing the number of cars on the road than ownership. Among respondents who have rented an e-bike, two in five (39%) report using a car. In comparison, among those who own an e-bike themselves, more than half still use a car for daily commuting (56%). These figures could be a direct result of a rise in e-bike thefts in the UK[2], and a subsequent reluctance to park e-bikes in public.

About one in five respondents (19%) have rented an e-bike, and 13% do so regularly. In comparison, only 9% currently own an e-bike, and one in three (30%) are actively considering or planning the purchase (38% in London). E-bike rental, ownership or plans to own one are much higher among younger age groups.

[1] https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/shared-micromobility-within-uk

[2] https://www.cycleassociation.uk/news/?id=3911&name=Number+of+e-bike+thefts+in+UK+doubles+in+a+year+but+decreases+for+bikes+overall.

It appears that men are more enthusiastic than women about both owning and renting e-bikes. Overall, a fifth of men surveyed have rented an e-bike (22%), and nearly half own or are planning to purchase one (45%). In comparison, only 16% of women have rented an e-bike before, and only 34% either own or wish to purchase an e-bike.

The main reasons for owning or planning to own an e-bike are the cost savings (34%), health benefits (34%), and assisted pedalling (32%). Whilst older respondents are more likely to respond to health and travel benefits, younger respondents are significantly more swayed by the sustainability benefits that e-bikes offer.

While most non-e-bike users simply do not cycle (60%), there are also concerns that e-bikes are too expensive (19%) or unsafe (14%).

Attitudes towards E-bikes

The two sides of the e-bike coin are clearly apparent when assessing the overall attitudes of the population.

Clear majorities of respondents agree that e-bikes are an environmentally conscious option (73%), one of the quickest and easiest way to get around (70%), and a way to reduce congestion and pollution (70%). However, just as many respondents see e-bikes as posing safety concerns due to increased speed (72%), and many respondents believe that only those aged 18 or older should be able to ride e-bikes (69%) – which should be more tightly regulated (68%).

As a Londoner myself, who uses rental e-bikes often, I have definitely experienced both sides of the shared micromobility coin. On the one hand, traveling using an e-bike is truly the quickest way to move around the city – and perhaps the most enjoyable too. At the same time, careless riders and the often sad state of the e-bikes scattered across London do put a damper on the otherwise wonderful way to move about the city.