Revolutionising the Future of E-biking in the UK – Ebike Summit 2024

Attracting leaders from across the active travel sector, this year’s Ebike Summit gathered industry leaders, policymakers, and technology enthusiasts to explore the evolving landscape of electric bikes. A platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and pushing the boundaries of e-mobility innovation. This year’s summit highlighted the role of sustainable transportation, urban planning, and personal health, while also showcasing the latest in cutting-edge design and technology.

As an early manufacturer and leader in the e-biking community, the team at VOLT were thrilled to be invited as a key contributor on the exhibition floor. As a British-based manufacturer known for our commitment to quality and performance, VOLT attracted significant attention with our latest range of electric bikes. This included a demonstration of our newest arrival the VOLT LITE folding e-bike. 

An Inspirational Day for the Future of Active Travel

The day was packed with insightful talks, workshops and panel discussions, featuring thought leaders from diverse fields. Some of the key speakers and topics covered include:

1. Chris Boardman
   Figures in active travel don’t get more inspirational than Great Britain’s former cycling Gold Medalist and current National Active Travel Commissioner. Using his opening message to highlight the need for a collective voice, he also shared Active Travel England’s goal to reach a 50% walking and cycling rate that would translate into a million fewer GP visits a year.
   
2. Xavier Bryce
   CEO of celebrated charity Sustrans, famed for its custodianship of the National Cycle Network was just as inspiring. Sharing their ambitions to enable lower-income households to access active travel more easily. 
   
3. The Bicycle Association 
   Echoed the industry’s concern for cheaper, unregulated batteries and electronics finding their way onto the market. Announcing a non-exclusive Register of Safety Audited e-bike brands, to increase consumer confidence and direct customers to authenticated, reliable manufacturers. 
   
4. Andrew Goldacre
   CEO of the British Independent Retail Consortium, echoed these concerns, highlighting inaccurate and misleading representation in the press surrounding safety. Highlighting that from 66,000 fires across the country, 143 of these were caused by unregulated batteries. 

Other factoids and points of interest we picked up on during the event included:

• The UK is projected to be one of the biggest countries for growth in E-bike use
• More than half of the bikes used in Germany are now e-bikes
• An estimated £6 billion a year is spent tackling urban congestion
• The average of a car travelling through central London is 7mph
• 75% of journeys taken in the UK are under 3 miles
• 90% of the London population live with air quality that exceeds the WHO’s recommended pollution levels. 

Closing Thoughts

The Ebike Summit 2024 at Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford proved to be a pivotal event in shaping the future of electric mobility in the UK and beyond. With companies like us leading the way with innovative technologies, it’s clear that the future of sustainable transport is not only bright but also incredibly dynamic. As cities continue to embrace the benefits of e-bikes, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in the years to come.

If you’re keen to explore our latest electric bikes for yourself, book a test ride today. Happy e-riding!