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The speed pedelec A game changer for commuting in Belgium? WEBikeC 2016 Bram Rotthier 09/06/2016
The speed pedelec
A game changer for
commuting in Belgium?
WEBikeC 2016
Bram Rotthier
09/06/2016
Speed pedelecs @ KU Leuven
2
Experimented in master theses
Resulted in PhD research
Speed pedelecs?
Pedelec
• Assistance up to 25 km/h
• Maximum continuous rated
power of 250 W
• Very popular(31% of Belgian bicycle sales in 2015)
Speed pedelec
• Assistance up to 45 km/h
• Maximum continuous rated
power of 350 W – 500 W
• New product
3
Why use a speed pedelec?
4
Why use a speed pedelec?
5
44’
38’
30’
24’
11’
57’
?
60’
51’
42’
40’
60’
35’
35’
15’
56’
45’
34’
23’
12’
Why use a speed pedelec?
6
150 W 0 W 23.5 km/h
150 W 250 W 35 km/h
150 W 500 W 42.5 km/h
Why use a speed pedelec?
7
150 W 0 W 23.5 km/h
150 W 250 W 35 km/h
150 W 500 W 42.5 km/h
20 km/h
13.5 km/h
23.5 km/h
29.5 km/h
Why use a speed pedelec?
8
150 W 0 W 23.5 km/h
150 W 250 W 35 km/h
150 W 500 W 42.5 km/h
20 km/h
150 W 1050 W 50 km/h 40 km/h
13.5 km/h
23.5 km/h
29.5 km/h
What is the potential of speed pedelecs?
9
Who is the current speed pedelec user?
(Results of a limited survey amongst 79 Belgian speed pedelec users
between June 2015 and February 2016)
Who is the speed pedelec user?
10
63
16
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
M F
Gender
(Results of a limited survey amongst Belgian speed pedelec users between June 2015 and February 2016)
3
1
7
10
21
14
87
6
0
5
10
15
20
25
20 - 25 26 - 30 31 - 35 36 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 55 56 - 60 61 - 65
Age
Who is the speed pedelec user?
11
(Results of a limited survey amongst Belgian speed pedelec users between June 2015 and February 2016)
Who is the speed pedelec user?
12
0
3
5
15
12
15
7
4 4
1
3
4
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
0 - 5 6 - 10 11 - 15 16 - 20 21 - 25 26 - 30 31 - 35 36 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 > 50 N/A orunknown
Commuting distance
(Results of a limited survey amongst Belgian speed pedelec users between June 2015 and February 2016)
Who is the speed pedelec user?
13
0
3
5
15
12
15
7
4 4
1
3
4
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
0 - 5 6 - 10 11 - 15 16 - 20 21 - 25 26 - 30 31 - 35 36 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 > 50 N/A orunknown
Commuting distance
Mainly used for commuting distances between 15 and 40 kilometres
Who is the speed pedelec user?
14
• Mainly used for distances between 15 and 40 kilometres
o Average commuting distance bicycle: 6.7 km
o Average commuting distance pedelec: 13.9 km
Who is the speed pedelec user?
15
• Mainly used for distances between 15 and 40 kilometres
o Average commuting distance bicycle: 6.7 km
o Average commuting distance pedelec: 13.9 km
Attracting a different public than classic bicycles or
pedelecs
Potential of the speed pedelec
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Commuting distance: 15 km - 40 km (max. 1 hour cycling)
Great potential for active, green mobility
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
0 - 5 5 - 10 10 - 15 15 - 20 20 - 30 30 - 50 > 50
Commuting distance (Flanders)
Commuting distance
Average: 17 km
15 km – 40 km: 23% - 32%
Source: www.mobielvlaanderen.be – ovg45
What do the users see as main advantages?
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• Punctual
• Economically advantageous
• Ecologically advantageous
• Active
• Silent
• Fun
Legislative clarity
Europe
• Subject to type approval
• Classified as L1e-B:
Two-wheel mopeds
o Vehicles designed to pedal
• Driver’s license AM
Belgium
• Currently classified as
“moped type B”
Moped helmet
Large license plate
No tax benefits
A dedicated vehicle
category is announced
18
Legislative clarity
Europe
• Subject to type approval
• Classified as L1e-B:
Two-wheel mopeds
o Vehicles designed to pedal
• Driver’s license AM
Belgium
• Currently classified as
“moped type B”
Moped helmet
Large license plate
No tax benefits
A dedicated vehicle
category is announced
19
Still some points of dispute in Belgium and Europe
Legislative clarity
Europe
• Subject to type approval
• Classified as L1e-B:
Two-wheel mopeds
o Vehicles designed to pedal
• Driver’s license AM
Belgium
• Currently classified as
“moped type B”
Moped helmet
Large license plate
No tax benefits
A dedicated vehicle
category is announced
20
But both Europe and Belgium are working on an adapted, clear
regulatory framework for speed pedelecs
Conclusion
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• New type of vehicle can be an alternative means of
transportation for a great number of people
• Speed pedelecs
• Both Europe and Belgium are working on a clear, adapted
regulatory framework
Speed pedelecs can be a game changer for commuting
