The e-bike industry is booming in the Netherlands and experts over there are heralding the benefits e-bikes will bring, not only to commuters, but to businesses and governments too.
And who better to listen to than the Dutch? In 2015 the Netherlands saw their e-bike sales jump by 25% and they accounted for 28% of their total bike sales.
Otto van Boggelen, programme manager at Dutch cycling policy company Fietsberaad, spoke to the Guardian recently, and explained the benefits of the Netherlands' e-bike uptake as well as an idea why people are turning to e-bikes.
>Read more: E-bike sales boom across Europe in 2015
Van Boggelen explained that the benefits of e-bike uptake aren't restricted to those actually e--biking. "[E-bike uptake] enables employers to economise on parking places and improves the health of their workforce," he said.
He added that as well as businesses, governments and local authorities will benefit too. He said: "Authorities see it as a tool to minimise traffic jams and CO2 emissions. To the commuters it offers exercise and fresh air. And they save on petrol costs.”
In looking to explain why people are turning to e-bikes, he said that those turning to e-bikes aren't necessarily long-time, committed drivers, rather individuals who have always wanted to ride, but are put off by distance or convenience.
“Generally you see that when people give it a try, they continue to go to work by e-bike," he said. "But they aren’t inveterate motorists, of course. They are usually people who have always wanted to cycle to work, but simply couldn’t because of the distance. The e-bike enables them to fulfil this wish.”
“The great thing is, you can choose how fast you want to pedal and you don’t arrive sweaty at work.”
If you're thinking about buying an e-bike, check out our selection of buyer's guides below:
