Why Electric Bike Become More and More Popular in UK

The United Kingdom e-bike market was valued at USD 0.24 billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach USD 0.44 billion by 2027, projecting a CAGR of 10.56% during the forecast period. With the outbreak of pandemic COVID-19, the demand for e-bikes has increased suddenly in the country and the government is also supporting the demand by investing in the infrastructure of e-bikes to encourage people to purchase more e-bikes. (Read the previous published new: How to Choose an Electric Bike for Camping.) 

In recent years, the UK government has started taking steps to enhance the adoption of e-Bikes in the country. The country started providing national incentives and is also planning to increase the financial subsidies on the e-Bike to promote their usage. This is expected to drive the market in the country. With the stimulus of a national incentive, the influence and impact of both government and industry can be increased. Also, with the high purchase cost of the e-bikes, these financial incentives are expected to propel the growth of the market in the country in the years to come. On the other hand, the growth of the bike sharing services in the country will restrain the market growth during the forecast period.

What is an Electric Bike?

An electric bike is a motor-assisted pedal bike which usually looks like a regular bicycle but with the addition of a rechargeable battery and motor. They provide assistance and allow riders to move without getting too tired. You can find electric road bikes, electric mountain bikes, electric city bikes and even folding electric bikes for commuting. Deciding on which electric bike you need comes down to not just personal preference, but the type of rides you’ll be doing and how much assistance you require on them. 

The increased popularity of the e-bike can be attributed to improved battery life, motor design and lighter weights, as well as the growing need to reduce pollution and boost physical activity. (Electric Bikes vs Cars: Which one is Better you might have interest in reading)

Why are Electric Bikes becoming more popular?

Well, by not having to put as much effort in, getting from A to B becomes a lot easier. From being able to tackle hills without breaking a sweat, to carrying more shopping without the pedals feeling like lead, electric bikes aren’t just for lazy folks or those who are unable to cycle as vigorously - it’s all about making life easier. There are seven reasons why e-bikes become so popular.

1 More than a traditional bike, but not a car  

A bicycle as a vehicle is more versatile than a car. Forest paths, mountain passes, city traffic jams - a cyclist will easily pass. In extreme cases, will carry the bike, where even a jeep will not be able to get through. In this sense, a bike is an alternative not only to a car but also to a motorcycle, scooter, and public transport.

A bike does not need to have asphalt roads, gas stations, and parking lots. You can take it with you in a car, plane or train. When you add a miracle of having an electric motor that can help speed the vehicle to up to 50 km / h and modern batteries with a power reserve of up to 50 km and longer, you will suddenly get the opportunity to travel decent distances without much effort. 30 km from home to office and back is no longer a problem. And compared to a car, an e-bike also saves money on gasoline.

2 Under the green flag

The other big factor for pushing cycling over cars, buses and taxis is heavy pollution. Many of the UK’s cities are failing miserably when it comes to attaining acceptable air quality figures, so trading engines for non-polluting e-bike batteries and motors is an attractive proposition not just for decision-makers, but also for commuters who don’t want to breathe in excessive exhaust emissions and smog.

It is this focus on cycling to and around cities that is partially responsible for the following cities being the top 10 for electric bikes sales in the UK. It’s unsurprising to see that the likes of London, Manchester and Bristol (some of the most bike-friendly cities in the UK) on the list, but it’s good to see that places like Belfast, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Leeds - which all suffer from cramped, compact city centres with little room for cycle lanes - are all seeing predicted growth in e-bike sales too.  

3 Bikes with brains   

Fashion for electric bicycles is also associated with fashion for technological innovation. Modern electric bikes are not just a frame with two wheels, pedals, and a steering wheel. These are smart vehicles. They are equipped with electronic control systems and environmentally friendly engines. Those systems often took more than ten years of development, including, for example, Bosch.

4 Investment in your health  

Those riding e-bikes enjoy all the benefits of physical exercise and may even experience greater benefits than those using a regular bicycle. While those using an e-bike exert slightly less energy, their fitness seems to improve more as they tend to cycle more regularly and for longer distances. This is likely linked to the increased confidence that comes with the motor assistance.

5 They're great for commuting    

Not only will they save you cash, they can also free you from the misery of either stalemated traffic or overcrowded trains and buses. Even though you’re effectively a motorised vehicle, you don’t need a licence yet you’re still allowed to use the cycling lanes. And because you can lean on that motor a little, you won’t work up too much of a sweat and end up arriving at work ponging like a sports sock. A long haul home after a hard day’s slog won’t look quite so daunting either!

6 They help to save money

The initial lump sum of an e-bike is soon forgiven when it becomes apparent how little an e-bike user pays in on-going running costs. Charging an e-bike regularly will barely make a dint in your electricity bill, and general maintenance is roughly the same as a standard bike. There is also free parking, cycle-to-work schemes to consider and, as long as the motor cuts out at 15.5mph (plus 10% leeway according to EU and UK law, no road tax.

7 They'll help you explore the world

E-bikes also make ideal touring bikes. Fatter tyres are standard and many have eyelets to allow panniers and racks to be fitted. It means riding long distances will not only be more comfortable but also more manageable, because again that motor can be called on to help out when the weight of your camping kit makes your legs feel like stopping.

It’s also worth noting that many electric bikes sold at Hovsco are used by leisure riders away from city centres, so the demographics of each chosen city and local cycling cultures / selection of local routes will also play a large part in electric bike sales in these areas.

Conclusion

Over the next decade, several factors could play a huge role in the way the UK approaches cycling. As well as the aforementioned pressure on local authorities to create more cycling routes, resulting in improved environments for riders, a much bigger turning point comes into effect: the government’s plan to completely ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by the end of the 2020s. This move towards electrification, along with much stricter pollutions rules within towns and cities could see the bike become a key mode of transportation.