July 24, 2020
Flanders launches the new mobility brand ‘Hoppin’. With Hoppin, all available mobility solutions become more recognizable in the street scene, which should make it easier for commuters to combine transport options. Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Lydia Peeters (Open Vld), will make 100 million euros available for some 1 000 mobility points in […]
July 23, 2020
Exor Seeds, an investment vehicle of the Fiat family Agnelli, is one of the new investors in the Belgian connected e-bike Cowboy. The Brussels start-up raises 23 million euros in a new capital round. The money will be used to design new bikes and expand the sales network, co-founder of Cowboy, Adrien Roose, says. An […]
July 08, 2020
On Wednesday, the Dutch retailer stores chain Hema launches a cheap e-bike leasing program. Together with Friesland Lease, Hema offers several models of e-bikes – from sporty models to cargo bikes – all with a private lease formula. Hema wants to make daily life more attractive and more fun. By offering affordable electric bicycles, the […]
July 03, 2020
Soon fallen trees on bicycle routes will also make it to the traffic bulletin of the Flemish public broadcaster VRT radio. Traffic Anchor Hajo Beeckman, together with possible partners, is investigating how this could be done. Because the bicycle is becoming increasingly important in the mobility shift, says Beeckman, who launched a call on Twitter […]
July 01, 2020
The American start-up, Wheels, launches its free-floating electric shared bikes in Brussels. The first 50 bikes of this mobility platform are primarily located in the city center, but the fleet should be expanded to 500 bikes within a month. Brussels is the eighteenth city in the world where Wheels are available. In Europe, it is […]
July 01, 2020
The sales of speed pedelecs keep on rising, particularly in Antwerp. In the meantime, Belgium has 33 090 of those fast bikes registered. The number has tripled compared to two years ago. The province of Antwerp alone has 11 575 registrations. 555 sold per month The speed pedelec is particularly popular in Flanders: 95,5% of […]
July 01, 2020
The city of Leuven already offers shared cars from Cambio and Partago, but on Wednesday, June 1st, the city introduces shared cargo bikes from the Dutch company Cargoroo. In the first phase, nine vehicles will be parked in the inner city and on two locations in Kessel-Lo. Later this year, the number will go up […]
June 30, 2020
According to the latest Arval Mobility Observatory, realized before the lockdown, Belgium is one of Europe’s most advanced markets in terms of alternative mobility solutions within companies. 69% of them offer alternatives such as bike leasing, carpooling, public transport passes, or mobility budgets. Plus, Arval says that Belgium is in the top five in terms […]
June 29, 2020
Belgian start-up Classified, founded by former employees of Punch Powertrain, developed a virtual derailleur that takes over the task of the double gears on the crankshaft of a bicycle with derailleur gears. It could be a game-changer, the developers believe. Invisible gearbox Classified competes with market leader Shimano with a virtual derailleur. Classified’s high-tech hub […]
June 29, 2020
Just like Belgians, French citizens are jumping on their bicycles. Since lockdown has started to lift in the country, bicycle sales have increased by 117%. In Paris, the city’s shared bicycle platform, Vélib’, is beating all previous records with an average of 187 000 daily trips. In the cities, e-bikes are booming while mountain bike […]
June 29, 2020
The socialist Anne Hidalgo is re-elected mayor of Paris, but for a long time, it seemed that she wouldn’t get a second term. Her fight against the car in the French capital was the spearhead of her campaign. But problems with the Velib’ shared bikes and Autolib’ shared cars (now replaced by Mobilib’) made Hidalgo’s […]
June 25, 2020
The current manufacturer of the Segway HT, Chinese robot specialist Ninebot, has indicated that production of the self-balancing two-wheeler will cease on July 15, 2020. Poor sales results Although the Segway is very well known, the product launched in 2001 could not convince the market. The Segway PT (for Personal Transporter) came on the market […]
June 25, 2020
The Dutch Mobility Alliance fears more traffic casualties because of changing mobility preferences since the corona outbreak. More people use their cars or get on motorbikes and bicycles. Once restrictions and obligatory homeworking are lifted, this could create chaos. The organization asks the government to take urgent measures. Proposed measures are to stimulate teleworking and […]
June 23, 2020
The police zone Brussels North (Schaerbeek/Sint-Joost-ten-Node/Evere) now also has an operational cycling brigade, which uses electric bicycles that are finished in the police colors. During 2019 the cycling brigade was still in a test phase, but from now on, 10 bicycle inspectors will patrol the terrain on electric bicycles. “The arrival of the cycling brigade […]
June 23, 2020
According to the Norwegian Transport Economics Institute, cyclists wearing a helmet see their risks of severe injury drop by 60%. Plus, nearly 40% of cyclist’s deaths could have been avoided with helmets. Studies also show that e-bikes are more dangerous than motorcycles due to the difficulty of apprehending their speed and the weaker or non-existent […]
June 23, 2020
The city of Antwerp will place 689 bicycle signposts at all major junctions of the local bicycle network in the coming month. In this way, the city wants to make the main routes of the bicycle network more visible in the street scene and wants to promote the bicycle even more as a fast and […]
June 17, 2020
Today, Seat launches its solution for urban mobility in the form of a 100% electric scooter and an e-scooter. Both models fit in the new urban mobility brand SEAT MÓ. The company presented its new SEAT MÓ eKickScooter 65 and SEAT MÓ eScooter 125, the first 100% electric SEAT motorcycle in its 70-year history. It […]
June 17, 2020
Motorcycle manufacturer, Triumph, is going back to its roots, introducing the Trekker GT e-bike. While Triumph started as a bicycle importer 118 years ago, it is the company’s first e-bike. The Trekker GT may lack the company’s retro looks, but Triumph promises it offers the same ‘passion for performance and riding fun’. Power comes from […]
June 15, 2020
Harley-Davidson always had a sharp image and reputation, but the brand is not doing well at the stock exchange. The older group of Harley riders is slowly dying out, while young people are passing the bikes by, despite frantic attempts of the brand to appeal to new target groups. Even going electric can’t turn the […]
June 15, 2020
Walloon Mobility Minister, Philippe Henry (Ecolo), wants to boost cycling in the Region with a new bonus of 200 to 400 euros for the purchase of electric or foldable bicycles. While nothing is set in stone yet, the incentive should be implemented this summer for workers in exchange for a certificate proving that they cycle […]
June 12, 2020
South-Korean car manufacturer Kia, part of the Hyundai Group, is thinking of getting active on the so-called microcar market. Products like the Renault Twizy and the very recent Citroën Amigo will get Korean competition. Ten years ago, the microcar market was dominated by specialist manufacturers like Aixam, Ligier, and others. It’s not a coincidence that […]
June 05, 2020
Antwerp is planning to make 83% of its town center car-free or a low-traffic zone. It was the Antwerp Alderman for Mobility, Koen Kennis (N-VA), who announced the plans. The city will also provide parking zones for residents. Pro-pedestrian Antwerp city contains 73 kilometers of roads. About one-tenth, 13%, are residential zones, 28% are car-free […]
June 04, 2020
In the Belgian city of Nivelles, the ‘Peddel’ project was unveiled on Wednesday by its founder Samy Touri and the municipal authorities of Nivelles. The idea is to put into service an electric rickshaw to ensure not tourist trips as in some cities but the daily transport of people as taxis do. Electric rickshaw The […]
June 02, 2020
Since the corona crisis, most people are not keen on using public transport. That is what the Brussels University, VUB, recorded after analyzing our moving behavior. “Public transport is the big loser. We resolve to go on foot or by (e)-bike.” ‘New normal’ Since the corona outbreak, our commuting behavior has changed. We want to […]
May 28, 2020
On average once a week, a user of an E-step ends up in a hospital in Brussels. And of all the users who ended up in the emergency services, none wore a helmet. This is the conclusion of a study carried out by the Vias traffic institute, in collaboration with the emergency services of various […]
May 26, 2020
Swapfiets, the rented bikes with the eye-catching blue front tires, is on the market since 2018. Meanwhile, 10 000 Belgian citizens have a subscription to the popular bicycles. The concept seems – more than ever – to be the basis for success. Why? “Because you get your own bike, which is always functioning and available. […]
May 26, 2020
“Redistribute public space” and “invest in transport on-demand” are two divergent views on mobility. The first is suggested by De Correspondent-journalist Thalia Verkade and Marco te Brömmelstroet, professor at Amsterdam University. The second comes from Alexander D’Hooghe, professor at MIT. Journalist Talia Verkade and Marco te Brömmelstroet, known as the ‘cycling professor’ and Director of […]
May 22, 2020
As of May, the Belgian Cycling Factory (BCF) will take over Bikeville in Beringen. BCF is the renowned producer of bicycle brands like Ridley, Eddy Merckx, and Corsa, among others. Bikeville, in Beringen (Limburg), is the incubator for companies active in the bicycle and mobility industry. The take-over contains the working space of eleven start-ups […]
May 19, 2020
Brussels’ shared bicycle and e-bike network, Villo!, operated by JC Decaux, is offering a ‘post-corona’ subscription of six months for free to support the governments’ effort to get people on the bike and out of their car. The promotion runs from 18 May until 30 June 2020. New clients get a six-month subscription for free […]
May 19, 2020
The Good Move project, the new Brussels regional mobility plan approved in March, has won the 2020 edition of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan award. Livable, traffic-safe city This award is given by the European Commission through Polis, the network of European Cities and Regions working together on innovative transport solutions. The new mobility plan […]
May 18, 2020
Several peripheral car parks in Brussels will become free of charge as of Monday, 18 May. Commuters will also receive a free six-month subscription to pedal with a shared bike to their destination. With this Park + Bike initiative, the Brussels government wants to avoid the overwhelming use of public transport during the reopening of […]
May 15, 2020
Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Lydia Peeters (Open Vld), has put together a ‘toolbox on sustainable mobility’. Together with the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Science, Fietsberaad Vlaanderen, and the Pedestrian Movement, she also launched the campaign #blijvenfietsen (All keep cycling). The aim is to encourage the Flemish people to continue cycling during the […]
May 15, 2020
Brussels-based shared electric bicycle operator, Billy Bike, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Thursday to assists its growth. In only a few hours, 100 000 euros has been raised. The company, planning the launch in a second Belgian city next year, wishes to become a real public transport but for shared mobility. “Having thousands of […]
May 15, 2020
Imagine a combination of a high-speed pedelec and a small motorbike: enter the eRockit. eRockit Systems GmbH is a small, Berlin-based manufacturer producing a small electric motorcycle that drives like a (fast) bicycle. An eRockit driver doesn’t control its speed with a throttle, but with its pedals. Therefore, it wants to be intuitive and easy […]
May 14, 2020
Although the number of cars on the Dutch roads has halved since the lockdown, the number of traffic deaths hardly went down. The actual accidents also are more serious and make more victims, mostly among cyclists. According to figures from the police and traffic institute Via, there are 14% more injured cases. Weekend accidents The […]
May 13, 2020
Now that employers are busy redefining safe working and commuting due to the coronavirus, Dilbeek-based start-up Cycle Valley is making a fleet of more than 170 electric bicycles immediately available for short-term rental. A sector’s first. Interest for bicycle leasing As for most start-ups, the corona crisis for Cycle Valley came unexpected and inconvenient. “We […]
May 13, 2020
Cake is a Swedish manufacturer of light electric motorcycles, and Polestar, the electric car brand of Volvo Car Group and Zhejiang Geely Holding, today announced an extensive brand partnership to demonstrate Cake’s electric motorcycles in Polestar’s showrooms in Europe, to begin with. Lightweight cross motorbikes Cake makes electric mopeds (from 6 500 euros) and motocross […]
May 12, 2020
Twenty percent of passengers will no longer use public transport when the corona measures will be further lifted. Among these former public transport users, 63% prefer to switch to a ‘virus-free’ private car, 18% opts for the bicycle, 1% for the motorbike. Twenty-six percent of interviewees say they will continue teleworking after the crisis. These […]
May 11, 2020
Romans think cycling is heavy, dangerous, slow, and unhandy. But they’ll have to put up with it. The city government uses the corona crisis to make way for the bicycle. Even before the schools reopen in September, there should be 150 km of new cycle paths in the Italian capital. Life-threatening Cycling is an absolute […]
May 11, 2020
Sales of bicycles in Belgium have decreased by 50 to 70% since the lockdown. That is the conclusion of car and bicycle service federation Traxio. Online sales, however, have grown. Since the lockdown, sales of speed pedelecs almost halved (-48,4%) compared to the same period in 2019. The number of units went down from 1 […]
April 30, 2020
According to experts and shared-mobility companies, e-scooters are said to become the go-to mobility solution in the city when the lockdown measures are lifted. These machines allow citizens to move about without worrying about social distancing, plus they can use the new converted cycling paths. When the lockdown finally lifts, cities and their inhabitants will […]
April 30, 2020
Today, there are 10% more cyclists than in the pre-corona era, while the number of trucks and cars has halved. Since the reopening of the garden centers, the number of cars has increased slightly. But what if our mobility will never be the same as before? Cities are trying to maintain this temporary sustainability momentum […]
April 22, 2020
The coronavirus may make Milan look more like a Dutch city. The city council wants to speed up building 35 kilometers of new cycle paths in the town to prevent Milan from flooding with cars. Post-corona “We can’t have overcrowded subways and buses anymore. We have to respect social distancing, and we need to provide […]
April 20, 2020
Bicycles are a popular way to get around during the corona crisis. Many expect this to continue even after the measures have been lifted. A number of cities also want to adapt their infrastructure to stimulate cycling and to slow down post-corona revival of car usage. Incidentally, the corona crisis is affecting the entire mobility […]
April 17, 2020
A gradual restarting of business after the lockdown will inevitably create problems. Sector federation Traxio, for example, is sounding the alarm bell. The whole specialized bike trade is suffering from unfair competition from supermarkets and do-it-yourself businesses. “Bike shops have to stay closed, but do-it-yourself businesses and supermarkets are open and sell bikes at a […]
April 14, 2020
Numerous platforms of the sharing economy are struggling due to the corona crisis. At the same, however, the crisis shows the power of their business model. Question is how soon consumers will ‘forget’ about the bacteriophobia when it comes to shared means of transport. The sharing economy is based on the principle that you don’t […]
April 08, 2020
Traxio, the professional association of the automobile trade, which also has a department dealing with two-wheeled vehicles, is asking the Belgian government to relax the rules on the sale and delivery of bicycles. The sector is up to its neck in difficulties because of stagnant sales and large stocks, it says in a press release. […]
April 02, 2020
The e-bike market has been growing steadily for years. The market represented 9 million units last year. That is why the Belgian company E2 Drives also focuses on this growth market by developing innovative technology with an automatic gearbox. Interesting technology E2, founded by Arthur Deleval and Simon Godfrind, tries to position itself in the […]
March 25, 2020
Since last week, bicycle stores are only allowed to do urgent reparations. Still, the sector hopes that the corona crisis will increase the popularity of the bike. Contamination Since the corona outbreak, the few people in the streets go on foot or use the bicycle for their necessary trips. Trains and buses are almost empty. […]
March 20, 2020
Irish bicycle start-up, Modmo, has announced the production of its first e-bike, the Saigon. Similar to competitors like the Belgian Cowboy bikes, Modmo’s creation is electric, app-driven, and sold online. Presales have started with delivery expected in September 2020. With the Saigon, Modmo claims to have designed ‘the bike that will replace your car for […]
March 17, 2020
On Tuesday, the Swiss scooter brand Qooder shows its electrically powered versions based on the existing range of two or three-wheeled scooters. The manufacturer responds to the needs of the commuter. The latter is looking for a zero-emission scooter that performs neatly and doesn’t shy away from a piece of ring road or highway. Electric […]
March 16, 2020
Erwin Beerens, CEO and principal owner of the Antwerp Beerens Groep, and automotive service provider, Belcar, is going to jump on the e-bike. The man, who once suffered a heart attack while climbing the Mont Ventoux as a touring cyclist, wants to throw himself on the bicycle market now. That market in Belgium is good […]
March 13, 2020
Cargo bicycles are gaining interest in the eye of the authorities, especially for last-mile deliveries. With a delivery sector expected to continue to grow, cargo bikes are a small, practical, go-anywhere and, more importantly, green alternative to vans and trucks. Cities all around the world are facing a dilemma. On the one hand, they want […]
March 11, 2020
In 2019, almost 40% more electric bikes were stolen in the Netherlands. This is, of course, a direct consequence of the booming sales. While those bikes are also more expensive, the financial damage rose even more. “We’ve lost millions of euros extra,” says Bert Gelling from ANWB, the biggest bike insurer. Last year, 420 000 […]
February 28, 2020
On Thursday, PSA-daughter Citroën launched Ami, the production version of Ami One, a prototype it showed in Geneva last year. The manufacturer doesn’t like you to call it a car; it’s a ‘moving object able to transport two people in an urban environment’. At Citroën, they describe their Ami as ‘disruptive urban mobility’. It’s small; […]
February 28, 2020
The e-bicycle is the goose that lays the golden eggs for the Dutch cycling sector. In 2019 alone, a record number of 420 000 new e-bikes were sold in the Netherlands. In the meantime, pedal-assisted bikes represent 70% of the total sales in bicycle shops. Belgium is the European front runner when it comes to […]
February 21, 2020
Montreal has ended a pilot project with 680 shared electric e-scooters. The city cites the lack of respect of users for the regulations as the reason for the ban. Montreal didn’t have any fatal or serious accidents with the scooters. However, only 20% of them were parked in dedicated areas. There were 110 reports of […]
February 13, 2020
Of the almost 30 000 speed pedelecs registered in Belgium, 40% are leased bicycles. This is apparent from figures collected by CD&V MP, Jef Van den Bergh. In Wallonia, the super-fast e-bikes with pedal assistance up to 45 km/hour have a harder time to breakthrough. All in all, Belgium has 29 725 speed pedelecs, and […]
February 10, 2020
The latest study from the Bicycle Observatory notes that the share of cycling in Brussels has increased by 8,9% between 2018 and 2019. Electrically assisted bike usage is also growing, especially for the daily work-to-home commute where they accounted for a fifth of all bikes last year. Whatever its form, the bicycle is getting more […]
February 07, 2020
The Flemish government no longer wants to admit polluting mopeds and scooters to the low-emission zones (LEZ) of, for example, Ghent and Antwerp. But the problem is that it doesn’t know how to realize this, as there is no inventory of the environmental performance of these vehicles. In recent years, moped owners have been forced […]
