The UK is falling behind when it comes to green transport because it is failing to promote electric pedalling alongside electric cars, the Bicycle Association (BA) has said.
Backed up by research from consultancy Transport for Quality of Life, the BA has argued that incentives to boost e-bikes are better-value, more equitable and healthier than subsidising the purchase of electric cars, and could potentially achieve change more quickly.
The research shows that the cost of saving a kilogram of CO2 via schemes to boost e-bikes is less than half the cost of existing grants for electric cars and at a cost per purchase of less than one-tenth of the grant for electric cars.
The BA believes that electric vehicles will play a key role in decarbonising all forms of transport, but argues that e-bikes should be a top priority for urgent Government support. The findings will be launched at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group in the Houses of Parliament today, attended by numerous MPs, officials and decision-makers.
The evidence shows that around half of all trips by e-bike replace a trip that would have been made by car. E-bikes are also used for longer trips than conventional bikes, so their potential to reduce carbon emissions, air pollution and congestion is greater. Unlike electric cars, which tackle pollution but do not tackle congestion, e-bikes are ready now for mass adoption, the BA has said.
