Electrically-assisted bikes (e-bikes) could slash carbon dioxide emissions from transport, and offer workers a safe and sustainable route back to the office and factory.
New research shows that electrically-assisted bikes (e-bikes) have the capability to slash carbon dioxide emissions from transport, and in the context of the coronavirus crisis, could offer workers a safe and sustainable route back to the office and factory.
CREDS researchers from the University of Leeds found that e-bikes, if used to replace car travel, have the capability to cut car carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in England by up to 50% – about 30 million tonnes per year.
Even replacing just 20% of car miles travelled with e-bike travel would mean 4-8 million fewer tonnes of carbon emitted each year.
The greatest impact on carbon emissions would come from e-bike use outside urban centres. In Denmark, e-bike routes are already linking cities to towns and villages. e-bikes can help people make longer journeys than conventional cycles, and could bring new transport options to people living outside urban centres. In the post-coronavirus recovery, e-bikes could offer a safe way for people to travel.
Researchers also found that e-bikes could help to cut the costs of travel in neighbourhoods characterised by low incomes, limited access to public transport and where many car journeys could be replaced with e-bike use.
Dr Ian Philips (University of Leeds & CREDS), who led the research, said:
“The strategic potential of e-bikes as a mass-transport option has been overlooked by policymakers so far. The research began as a way to measure the potential carbon savings that e-bikes can offer, but as we emerge from the lockdown, e-bikes can be part of the solution to getting people safely mobile once again.
“We’re recommending that governments across the UK should find ways to incentivise e-bike use to replace car journeys. As well as lowering carbon emissions from transport, e-bikes have the potential to improve the mobility options for people and communities at risk of transport poverty.”
More information
- CREDS briefing paper e-bike carbon savings – how much and where?
Figure 1: Pyramid of transport options, showing the least carbon-emitting form down to the most carbon-polluting: Walking; Cycling; e-bikes; public transport; car clubs, taxis, car-sharing; private car; air
Banner photo credit: mmphoto on Adobe Stock