In this week’s news:

• Harley Davidson’s New Serial 1 eBike Teaser Photos
• Evelo’s Delta X Duo Promises Double the Range
• Berlin’s Schindelhauer’s New Pinion Geared Models
• News Accessories; Smart LEDS, E-bike with Your Pets and High Quality Chrome Industries Jacket
• Trail Grants Powering Ahead Across the US and eCargo Bikes Used for Road Maintenance in the UK
• Electric Kickscooter Updates from the US and the UK
• Plus All the Latest eBike Biz News from Around the World

New eBikes and eBike Systems

Bosch Announce New Speed Pedelec Motor for US and New Zealand

Bosch have been in touch to say that they have just added the Performance Line Sport drive unit to their portfolio of pedal-assist eBike motors. It fits within the Performance Line and it supports riders with 65 newton-meters of torque at speeds above 20 mph— in fact up to 28 mph. Because it’s a Class 3 drive unit (up to 28 mph), Performance Line Sport is only available in the U.S. and New Zealand.
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In this week’s news:

• New eBikes from Gazelle, BULLS, Gocycle and Vintage
• Newton-Rider, the World’s Smallest Helmet
• Lightweight New Bike Frame Tech
• The Real Cost of Motor Congestion
• Winter eBiking Becoming More Popular
• eCargo Bikes Hit Barnes, London
• eBikes Ahead of Other EV Sales
• Copenhagen eKickscooter Ban
• All the Latest Ebike Business News

New eBikes & eBike Systems

Orbea Rise eMTB Just 18.8kg

The Orbea Rise is light and agile and the software modification makes it suitable for sportier riders who want to contribute more effort

After recently writing that eMTBs under the 20kg mark are extremely rare along comes the Orbea’s new Rise model at 18.8kg (though note that weight is for the battery lite version without the extra range extender). It packs Shimano’s EP8 mid-drive that looks great on paper and also an in-frame 360 Wh battery, integrated in the slim down tube. With an additional (and optional) battery in the bottle cage, the Rise reaches a total capacity of 612 Wh.

The most interesting aspect is perhaps the ‘RS’ software adaption to the mid-drive, explained in this E-Mountainbike article:

‘The big difference with other current light eMTBs is the built-in Shimano EP8 RS motor. According to Shimano, the motor of the Orbea Rise shares the same hardware as the conventional EP8 motor – everything except the “RS” sticker. Just by tweaking the software of the motor, Orbea managed to reduce the maximum torque from 85 Nm to 60 Nm and adapt the characteristics of the motor to deliver a more natural and sportier riding experience. Despite the reduced torque, the EP8-RS delivers enough power to keep up with the “standard” Shimano or latest Bosch drives – and easily outperform a Specialized SL 1.1 motor uphill. Because at cadences between 80 and 90 rpm, neither the Performance Line CX nor the EP8 use their full torque at maximum power. The difference in torque becomes evident particularly when setting off, accelerating and negotiating steep technical climbs: here the EP8-RS requires more input from the rider and thus makes for a very natural, sporty ride feeling and reduced battery consumption.’

Click the following link for all of Electric Bike Report’s thoughts and impressions on the Orbea Rise’s reveal.

Gazelle New US Models Feature Belt Drives and CVT Technology

Gazelle’s Ultimate C380 is truly low maintenance, featuring a belt drive and continuously variable hub gearing in the rear wheel

Gazelle will be releasing two new models this fall, the Ultimate C380 and the Ultimate C8, and a new high-step frame option for the Ultimate T10. Both the C8 and the C380 feature low maintenance belt drives whilst the latter features the remarkable  stepless shifting of the Enviolo 380 internal trekking hub – just rotate the twist grip to change how hard or easy you want pedalling to be but you will always be in gear, so it’s impossible to miss a gear or for the gears to get out of synch with the changer.

The C8 and C380 are both class 1 pedelecs with a max assisted speed of 20mph. The C8 features a Bosch Active Line Plus motor and the C380 a more powerful Performance Line mid-drive. Prices are US$3499 and US$4499 respectively.

Delfast Reveals Highly Capable eCargo Trike

Delfast’s new e-cargo trike looks extremely solidly built.

Ukranian-based Delfast have just revealed details of their new e-cargo trike. Designed from scratch, the spec certainly looks to be aimed at business users as Delfast say it is, with a 400kg gross payload (including the rider) and a huge 2.2 kWh battery. They claim its capacity will only decrease by 20% after 1,500 charges (65,250 miles). A rear 750W hub motor gives assistance up to 21mph. RRP is US$3799.

Redesigned BULLS Class 3 ‘Speed Pedelec’

BULLS Bikes USA recently announced the release of the redesigned Urban EVO 10, a sporty yet comfortable class 3 (assist up to 28mph) electric city bike. The Urban EVO 10 is equipped with the new Bosch Gen4 Speed motor and 625Wh Powertube.

The bike also features a lightweight rigid front fork, Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes, 10-speed Shimano Deore groupset, aluminum fenders and Supernova headlight & taillight with built-in brake light sensor. New style specs include a brown suede saddle, matching brown leather ergonomic grips and tan sidewall tires.

The Urban EVO 10 is available now in step-thru and diamond frames at certified BULLS Dealers throughout the U.S. and at bullsbikesusa.com. Retail price is $3999.

Gocycle Unveils Limited Edition G3+

Gocycle’s Limited Edition G3+

The UK’s Gocycle have been in touch to tell us about new limited edition model, the G3+ – which combines the iconic Gocycle stowable magnesium frame, tech-laden fast-folding handlebar and ultra-lightweight carbon PitstopWheels to create a truly high-performance, versatile, urban e-bike. Just 300 will be available worldwide.

It will be available in six colors including bespoke Red, Green and Yellow. It features a 375 Wh battery, patented automotive-inspired Daytime Running Light, LED cockpit and electronic predictive shifting.

The Limited Edition G3+ available to order now, priced from £3,999; €4,499; $4,999 MSRP with first deliveries scheduled for December

eBiking Vintage Style

California’s Vintage produce e-bikes based on early 20th century motorbike designs

Vintage are known for making incredible retro style e-bikes based on the looks of early 20th century motorcycles.

They have just announced the 2020 Tracker Classic, an update of an original design, which now features retro-styled cruiser handlebars ‘to allow riders a more comfortable, upright experience at high speeds’. Vintage also exchanged the original rear Tracker fenders for full-length fenders.

Original features that remain include the 36mph race mode option, pedal-assist capabilities, and a 720-watt hour battery.

New Cycling Accessories

Ultra Compact Newton Rider Helmet Breaks New Ground

The new Newton-Rider helmet is noticeably smaller than regular sized helmets yet complies with all safety standards.

Newton-Rider is foldable for easy storage

Get Inspired

What’s Burbing?

During the recent lockdown in Melbourne cyclist Ben Loake rode 852 miles……but was never more than a few miles from home. Melburbians had to stay within a 5km radius of their home. Enter the new pastime of ‘burbing’ – to cycle every road in a suburb….

New Bike Tech

Does Limburg Bike’s high tech approach point the way to the e-bike of the future?

Whilst the project known as Limburg Bike, described here by Bike EU, is for a ‘regular’ bike and not an electric one it perhaps does point the way to future e-bikes as the high-tech, lightweight approach may one day ‘trickle down’ to mass-market e-bikes. Of special interest to e-bike manufacturers may be the bike’s claim to be ‘ultralightweight yet virtually unbreakable’ – the extra powerful motors on today’s most powerful e-bikes have also meant very heavily engineered frames for obvious safety reasons. Could this bike point the way to a new breed of powerful and lightweight e-bikes?

The lightweight bike is said to use innovative technology such as interwoven carbon, super-strong Dyneema fibres and 3D-printed magnesium and titanium components and full production is slated for summer 2021.

Infrastructure

The Real Cost of Congestion – and How Cycle Lanes Can Help Solve the Problem

This interesting piece in Cycling Industry News details the results of The United Nations Economic Commissions for Europe’s guide for nations plotting how to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the article ‘a strong call is issued against untamed congestion and urban sprawl, while sustainable mobility forms that offer convenience, eco and health credentials are to suggested be given priority.’

It highlight’s the guide’s finding that ‘the annual economic damage associated with congestion in passenger transport and cargo due to traffic in Europe is estimated at around €100 billion, or more than 1% of GDP of the EU’ adding ‘On the flip side of the coin, cycling has been shown to have a net return on investment.’

According to the article, ‘a nod is given towards the establishment of “pop-up” cycle lanes giving a boost to cities through lockdown periods. Citing Copenhagen’s progress to alter its modal share, the report highlights that the cost of one kilometer of a cycling path is recovered after five years thanks to the improved health of those who regularly use it and lowered burden on health services.’

Montreal Shows the Way to Continuing to Cycle in Winter

World Highways reports on how North America is beginning to turn away from ‘vehicular cycling’ – where bikes and e-bikes mix with larger motor traffic, described as being for the ‘strong and fearless’ – and towards sustainable cycling where ‘The not-so-fearless want a higher level of personal security which means separated cycle lanes designed with safety in mind from the start.’

There is some interesting detail in particular on Montreal the first North American city to take up the challenge of creating a more European-style cycle lane network. Indeed, ‘Velo Quebec’s design guide is used as a reference by many North American cities as an example of what can be done to encourage cycling on the continent, especially in more northerly urban areas.’

E-biking throughout the harsh North American winter is more practical than you might imagine

The fact that Montreal’s cycle lanes have been designed to be easily cleared of winter snow and ice sets the city apart in cycling terms and, allied with the advent of fat bike tyres and studded tires, means many bikers and e-bikers continue riding through the North American winter.

Even in cities not perhaps as forward-looking as Montreal, there are still winter cyclists;  for example ‘Calgary reports that about 30% of summer riders continue riding in winter and in Edmonton it’s about 17%. This is pretty remarkable given that some of each city’s cycling network is not as connected up as it will be and that snow and ice clearing practices are still evolving. It is even more remarkable that winter temperatures can hover around -20oC for days on end and then plummet to -35°C for several days.’

eCargobikes

eCargo Bikes Tackling the Last Mile in Barnes, London

Barnes is in villagey south-west London and is the location for the promotion of the greater use of electric cargo bikes to boost the British high street. Check out this video from the UK’s Fully Charged.

eBike Trends

eBikes Out in Front of Other EVs as European Bike Industry Unites to Protect Their Status

EBR recently received promotional material for an IDTechEx report that included just about all electric vehicles except e-bikes. The teaser info included the interesting graph below:

The bulk of the sales appear to be two-wheelers which the report defines as ‘scooters, mopeds and motorcycles’ – but clearly not electric bikes. The grand totals of tens of millions might look impressive but electric vehicle growth has clearly been sluggish at best, even declining over some recent years.

The report only really serves to highlight the stunning global success of e-bikes as detailed in this report from The Verge. The Verge tells us that a report by Deloitte says it expects 130 million e-bikes to be sold globally between 2020 and 2023. It also noted that “the number of e-bikes on the roads will easily outpace other e-vehicles by the end of next year.”

The US has been behind major e-bike areas for some years but US growth rates for e-bikes as reported by the Verge are now also extremely impressive, although they started at an admittedly very low base:

‘E-bike sales have been growing steadily over the years, but they still only represent a small portion of the overall bike market in the US. E-bike sales jumped by an incredible 91 percent from 2016 to 2017 and then another 72 percent from 2017 to 2018 to reach an impressive $143.4 million, according to the market research firm NPD Group. Sales of electric bikes in the US have grown more than eightfold since 2014.’

Over in Europe the e-bike industry is clearly making a huge effort to protect the largely unregulated status of e-bikes which have seen phenomenal sales growth in recent years. There the European Commission’s announcement to review Directive 168/2013 which classifies e-bikes as ‘regulation-free’ in the same way as regular bikes has united EU cycling advocacy associations. CONEBI, CIE, European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), the European Cycle Logistics Federation (ECLF) and the International Mountain Bike Association Europe (IMBA EU) are all lobbying hard to protext the e-bikes special status reports Bike EU.

eMicromobility

Copenhagen Banning Freefloating e-Kickscooters

Electrive reports that ‘The Danish capital Copenhagen wants to ban the rental of electric scooters from 1 January 2021 across the city centre. They say the measure is primarily out of consideration for senior citizens because riders….scatter the light EVs in public spaces.’

eBike Biz

PeopleForBikes Saves the Bike Industry US$130 million+ in Section 301 Tariffs

PeopleForBikes recently revealed that ‘with the assistance of our nearly 300 member companies’ they ‘saved the bike industry more than $130 million in Section 301 tariffs since September 2018. Section 301 tariffs represent additional duties paid on nearly all imported goods from China.’

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) increased these duties over the last two and a half years, meaning extra costs for the bike and e-bike industries with additional duties of up to 25%, in some cases.

PfB’s work has been on two main fronts.

When the USTR created an exclusion process that companies and trade associations could use to request the removal of certain goods from the list of products subject to these increased tariffs,PeopleForBikes and our members sought relief for dozens of products, including electric bicycles, many complete bikes and most components, as well as helmets, lights and other bicycle-related products and accessories. Recently faced with rapidly approaching expiration dates, PeopleForBikes filed dozens of more requests asking that the exclusions granted be extended for an additional year. While some were denied, many of the extensions were approved, again saving the bike industry valuable operating capital.

Finally, a series of lawsuits was filed at the Court of International Trade to challenge the legality of the Section 301 tariffs for products included on List 3 and List 4a. These lawsuits argue that the Section 301 tariffs were issued in violation of the Trade Act of 1974 and the Administrative Procedure Act, and request that theList3 and List 4a tariffs be vacated and repaid with interest. If successful, these cases could provide the opportunity for the bicycle industry to obtain substantial relief from the Section 301 duties. PeopleForBikes briefed our members on this potential remedy and ensured that our members had important timely information before the window to file these claims closed. PeopleForBikes did not file a lawsuit but is monitoring the ongoing situation.

There’s more detail at PfB’s exclusions page.

Eurobike’s November Show Cancelled

Cycling Industry News reports that ‘Eurobike has announced the cancellation of its special edition event set for November in the face of restrictive Coronavirus measures landing across Europe. In early May, Messe Friedrichshafen decided to move Eurobike 2020 from September to November, the latest possible date.’

Stay tuned for more e-bike news and reviews and thanks for reading!

-Rich

As electric bikes continue to grow in popularity, more and more governments and state legislatures are developing laws and codes that will state the rights and areas of usage for eBikes. Such is the case with the new Department of the Interior Order 3376, which has implemented the new rules for eBike usage on public lands for much of the United States. These rules have been implemented with the goal of simplifying where you can and cannot use an eBike, and will lead to better, more defined trail systems as time goes on and more parks implement the new rules. However, the new order can be a bit complicated to understand, so we’re here to break down the major changes and rules as put forth by the Department of Interior here in the United States.
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Groundbreaking Program Partners Government, Business & Community Leaders to Address Environmental Challenges, Promote Healthy Living, and Create Communities in Vibrant & Bikeable District 4; Young Adult Workforce Development Bicycle Program will partner with Uptown Bicycles in Normal Heights

At Electric Bike Report we are always thrilled to hear about new initiatives springing up in communities all over the globe that promote environmental sustainability and personal health through eBikes. This week we’re happy to share the story of the recently launched Pedal Ahead electric bicycle community program from San Diego County. This collaboration project involving many from the area plans to do a lot of good for the community. The full story follows below:

SAN DIEGO — On September 22, Rider Safety Visibility (RSV), a 501c3, in partnership with San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, launched Pedal Ahead, a two-year, emission-reducing program designed to serve as an alternative to automobile transportation in the fourth supervisorial district, with a particular focus on areas of Chollas, City Heights, Encanto, Linda Vista, Rolando and Redwood Village. Pedal Ahead’s goal is to provide quality of life improvement for residents by making e-bikes available for daily commuting and recreational activities. The program will also support workforce development training for young adults ages 18-26 in the burgeoning bicycle industry, which has seen significant sales growth amid the pandemic. The training and education component will be conducted with Pedal Ahead community center partner, Uptown Bicycles in Normal Heights.
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In this week’s news:

• New eBikes from Wilier, Tern and Stromer
• Pedal Ahead Looking for eBike Volunteers in San Diego County
• Paris’s Cycle Temporary Cycle Lanes Go Permanent
• eScooter Updates from the US and UK
• Cycling Accessories; Smartlock plus Rear Light/Mudguard Combo

New eBikes and eBike Systems

Wilier Triestina Hybrid Move Fast

Wilier’s Hybrid Triestina Move Fast looks as though it certainly should do just that

LeMond Bicycles has announced the release of their first electric bikes. The LeMond team has a meticulous approach to design, technology, and innovation which is reflected in the sleek design of their two new ebikes: the Daily and the Dutch. Both eBikes have carbon fiber frames and high-end components. The frames are clean and simple with the battery, motor, and lighting system fully integrated to retain the classic look of a traditional bike.

The Daily:

The Daily is the result of years of work by LeMond to create the perfect ebike for daily use. The carbon fiber frame is sleek and fluid with impressive integration. The Daily integrates both the battery and MAHLE ebikemotion® X35 motor into the frame. A multiple mode light system is tucked into the barstem and seat stays, and charged by a single port. The Daily also features the Shimano GRX Hydraulic 1×11 drivetrain, tubeless compatible aluminum wheelset, and Spurcycle bell. Current retail price: $4500
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Here at ElectricBikeReport, we had the opportunity to sit down with Don DiCostanzo of Pedego Electric Bikes for an in depth discussion about Pedego, e-bikes, and the industry in general.

Don is the CEO and founder of Pedego Electric Bikes, located in Fountain Valley, California. In 2006, Don purchased an ebike to help him ride up a large hill to his home. But after many frustrating experiences with several different ebikes, Don decided the only way to get the ebike he wanted would be to design it himself. So he set out to create a bike that was powerful, durable, stylish, and comfortable to ride. He and a partner began Pedego bikes in 2008 and Don has been learning from and influencing the ebike industry ever since then.

Today, Pedego is the number one brand of electric bikes in the US (according to Navigant Research) with over 140 stores and 30 more set to open soon.

We asked Don to tell us a little bit about Pedego, what makes this company unique, and to give us some insights into the history and evolution of the ebike industry.
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