Why eBikes Need To Be At the Forefront of Decarbonisation

As the government works to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, they are making e-bikes a priority for achieving these goals.

2050 Net Zero Goals

Since the UK Government announced their commitment to reducing greenhouses gas emissions to net zero by 2050, this is likely to prove a huge challenge for the transport sector, which accounts for over a quarter of UK domestic greenhouse gas emissions. With transport being named as the largest contributor to UK domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy recently reporting in their National Statistics report that whilst there was a 43.6% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions in 1990-2021 (largely due to Covid restrictions and lockdowns), this figure went up 6.3% in 2020-2021, with transport emissions increasing the most in 2021.

At the same time, campaigners are urging UK ministers to promote e-bikes to tackle health, costs and climate crises, propelling e-bikes to the forefront.  Amid rising concern of fuel, transport and cost of living costs, The Times reported that more than 1million people have started taking bus journeys across the UK since March and overall cycling levels have risen to double their typical average, showing that consumers are seeking alternatives to avoid rising fuel prices. Mix this with the cost of living, where UK inflation has continued to rise, reaching a 40-year high in April 2022 and is set to continuing rising as well as rumours of UK entering a recession.

 

Focus on e-Bikes

By putting e-bikes at the forefront, users would save money on commuting, insurance and fuel, giving them financial benefits, as well as health benefits when avoiding sitting in congestion. Add to that when cyclists take advantage of bike lanes and shortcuts, saving them time and outwitting traffic, this leads to adrenaline and the ‘feel good’ hormones kicking in.

It is no surprise that cycling proved popular during the pandemic, with Cycling Weekly reporting that cycling increased 200% during lockdown.

It comes at a time though where sustainability and environmental impact is at the forefront so some good can come out of the this.

Says Lisa Conibear, Zoomo:

“As concerns grow regarding rising fuel and transport costs, mixed with booming inflation, cycling levels have risen to double their typical average as consumers seek alternative transport methods to avoid these additional costs. And given the changing dynamics of everyday life, and the savings every-day delivery riders and commuters are searching for, we are seeing an increase in the pick-up of e-bikes as riders acknowledge their superior cost-saving benefits. Not only can e-bike riders reduce their spending on emission zones, parking, fines, insurance, and licenses, they can mitigate the consistent rise of petrol prices, that’s a lot of money saved every week!

What riders also don’t realise however is that although they are saving money switching from a petrol vehicle to an e-bike, they are also doing their bit to save the planet. Zoomo knows first-hand the positive environmental impacts that LEVs and particularly e-bikes provide, with it so important for urban riders not to get stuck with dating and harmful petrol vehicles, and shift to the future of micromobility.”