e-scooters, e-bikes and emergence of cycle lanes

In 1990 China was a “Bicycle Kingdom” where over 670 million people owned pushbikes when they were following the lead of Deng Xiaoping, who defined prosperity as a “Flying Pigeon bicycle in every household”. China today has 8-lane motorways as most lower and middle-income megacities around the world have ditched the bike. The world had 10 megacities in 1990, 33 in 2018, and 40 by 2030 according to United Nations.

Poorer megacities in India are designed for rich people who can afford cars which means one household in12. In Istanbul, the world’s most congested city the average person lost 142 hours in a year in traffic, while Moscow, Mumbai, Bogota, and Delhi topped 100 hours.

The electric cycle which covers most trips less than 10 km within a half-hour, is a game-changer more significant than the e-car, as the global sales of e-bikes are expected to reach 40 million next year compared to 9million for electric vehicles. 

In November 2021, British retailer Halfords reported a 140 per cent rise in sales of e-bikes and e-scooters compared to the previous year. 

In November 2021, British retailer Halfords reported a 140 per cent rise in sales of e-bikes and e-scooters compared to the previous year

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to strict measures intended to limit people’s movement and slow viral speed, with the need for social distancing when people were instructed to stay at home and avoid crowded spaces, and cities were turned into cycling to meet the mobility needs of their inhabitants. Protecting cyclists and providing safe and comfortable conditions for users of various confidence levels with segregated prioritised dedicated cycle lanes physically separated from traffic. The cycle lanes were designed with 2.8 meters ( 1 .8 meters for transit and 1 meter for the buffer) marked with colored thermoplastic paint and damaged tarmacs were re-paved to increase cyclist comfort and safety