The government is considering funding an “opportunity to try” scheme for electric cycles at holiday and day trip destinations and events as a way to increase the uptake of electric cycles in England. A similar scheme in Switzerland is credited for a Swiss e-bike boom. According to a 2019 Bicycle Association analysis, an e-bike grant in the UK could be more than twice as cost-effective as existing electric car grants at cutting CO2. In France, recipients of e-bike grant schemes nationwide increased annual cycling distances on average from 200km (125 miles) to 1,400km, reducing car trip distances by 660km and CO2 output by 200kg each. While men make most cycling trips in France, e-bike schemetake-up was close to gender equal at 48% female.

Source: The Guardian May 29, 2021 07:52 UTC