British Electric Bike Association Launched

[Wisper Bikes]

From Bike Biz



E-bike companies get serious and team up to form new trade body, the British Electric Bicycle Association

One of the most promising segments in the bicycle industry – the electric bike sector – has received what could be its most significant boost yet: The creation of a new industry body that will, for the first time, look after the interests of the burgeoning business.

The British Electric Bicycle Association (BEBA) has been formed by key manufacturers and distributors of electric bikes, including On Bike (representing E-Motion), Giant, Urban Mover, Ultra Motor, Moore Large (representing Izip), Dahon/Bicycle Association, Gepida and Wisper.

Providing a unified voice for the electric bike industry, the association has four core values: improving the market; positive promotion; increasing electric two-wheeled transport use and fair business practice. BEBA will aim to create an environment where electric cycles can thrive, demonstrating how they meet consumer and Government demands for reduced emissions, congestion and transport costs. BEBA will address the reasons why some consumers don’t like riding, too.

BEBA will also aim to increase the use of electric two-wheeled transport by breaking down barriers to cycle use, helping the sector to gain acceptance in Government policies and also make cycling more attractive to a broader customer base. Members will adhere to a code of practice protecting consumers and dealers.

A spokesperson for the new body told BikeBiz: “Having noted a lack of consistency in service levels and quality of product provided to consumers and dealers, BEBA has been established to create an industry-wide standard.

EDUCATION AND PR

“The association will be a PR house to promote the use of electric cycles. Efforts will be focused on educating consumers about their benefits, giving them an ‘industry stamp’ of recognition for meeting certain service commitments.
BEBA will also inject confidence into the market to help manufacturers secure retailers and ultimately increase sales.

“All members will work together as a unified voice to challenge law changes, campaign for an increase in the C2W scheme and to introduce an electric cycle levy.”

BEBA told BikeBiz that its collective voice will be a significant industry influencer and its members will have access to valuable business data – including market sales – without leaking sensitive information to competitors.

UK POTENTIAL

E-bikes have been thriving on the Continent, but their potential has yet to be fulfilled in the UK – something Urban Mover’s Mark Loveridge believes will change with BEBA. “We are very excited about the electric cycle industry in the UK,” he told BikeBiz. “BEBA will play a key role in growing the market organically with fair business practices that protect consumers and retailers.”

Overseas success for electric bikes can be replicated in Britain, according to Loveridge: “There has been huge growth in Europe and the UK is the next ‘hot’ market. There are many myths that make retailers nervous about electric cycles. We intend to educate consumers and retailers about how far the products have developed, the potential growth and to support them fully with training and the best sales practice.”

BEBA member and Wisper Bikes’ David Miall added: “There is a massive, lucrative and quickly growing market simply waiting for IBDs to become involved. I believe the first to embrace the sector will see excellent growth in turnover and profitability in 2010.”

 

[flecc]

This is great news David, and I hope that the current non-members lose no time in applying to join and support the industry in a fully united and therefore more effective way.

That will benefit consumers as well as the industry, and also aid in getting action from politicians when required.
.

 

[Tiberius]

“All members will work together ..... to introduce an electric cycle levy.”

?????????????

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Beba

Thanks Flecc

Most were invited to the meeting when the Association was formed but some were understandably too busy to come.

The current members are simply those who were at the initial meeting. If the association is to do well we absolutly need the support of all professional importers and manufacturers.

There are to be two levels of membership;

Full members will be companies who manufacture or import electric bikes and resell through retailers. Companies who can prove a high level of service, sufficient stock of spare parts and a willingness to work to help the market as a whole.

Associate members will be a retailers who can offer high levels of service and understand the electric bike market.

Memberships will be awarded to those companies who in the boards opinion will not bring the electric bike market into disrepute. Thus where ever a consumer sees the BEBA membership logo they can buy with confidence.

All the best David

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Levy

?????????????

That was badly written.

We are already speaking to MP's abut raising the C2W maximum of £1000 for electric bikes to £2000.

All the best David

 

[Tiberius]

That was badly written.

We are already speaking to MP's abut raising the C2W maximum of £1000 for electric bikes to £2000.

All the best David

Thanks for the explanation David. It looked worrying for a moment.

Seriously, though, its a good thing. There are several reasons why its time for something like this:
Uncertainty about the details of the regulations and how they will be enforced.
Lack of understanding of e-bikes among the general public.
Lack of understanding of the technology in the bicycle trade.
All these are things that a trade association can help with.

Nick

 

[eddieo]

Looks good!

But to encourage cycling use in the UK to European levels we must make it safer for cyclists generally on UK roads.......It really is shocking compared to the continent.

 

[Mark Loveridge]

Gents- we appreciate your support and long may it continue.

We as the manufactures have put our differences, competitive products etc aside and feel the need to work together to build the industry. We want to channel effort into positive PR and any support we can get would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

Mark Loveridge

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Welcome

Welcome to the Forum Mark.

For those who do not recognise the name Mark looks after Urban Mover, I am not certain of his title but he seems to be in control!

All the best David

 

[Alex728]

seems like a good idea. I definitely feel more should be done to encourage LBS's to become dealers of e-bikes or even just service them.

I have already mentioned how few local e-bike dealers there are, despite East Anglia being a popular cyclists region and e-bikes selling better in even flatter areas across the North Sea (we still have the headwinds to deal with!)

My own e-bike is in for servicing at the moment and it took several phone calls to find a shop that would even attempt the service - some of them (otherwise prestigious names in town) just turned away they business without a moments thought, even though it was just the "bike" bits (chain, drivetrain) requiring work.

 

[Sir_Bob]

I dont understand this really what does this all mean to people like me who ride an electric bike everyday

 

[frank9755]

What it should mean is that you will start seeing more other people riding them - which will be to your benefit as the form of transport becomes more mainstream and things will start to be designed more around electric bikes and the needs of their riders.

Well done David and others for getting this going.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Beba

Thanks Frank, it is somthing that I feel was certainly needed.

Bob it will also help the consumer when choosing and ebike, if the bike dealer shows the associate membership logo it will mean they have been approved by BEBA as being a competent supplier able to service your bike and supply spare parts well into the future.

Best regards David

 

[Scatty]

Mybe its a good idea if its properly regulated. ..is this another way to make money out of the supplier? how much will it cost them & who approves them ? A independant or someone already selling electric bikes? is it another case of big brother keeping a eye on everyone... Oh & welcome back bob

 

[Nickytam]

That was badly written.

We are already speaking to MP's abut raising the C2W maximum of £1000 for electric bikes to £2000.

All the best David
..........................................

er, pardon my ignorance, David. What is C2W??

 

[Alex728]

cycle 2 work. A Government supported scheme whereby your employer can help you obtain a bicycle paid off in instalments from your salary.

I don't think BEBA is anything negative or a "conspiracy theory" and has benefits.

I was on the phone to the LBS owner which did accept my repair and he said that there were 10 ebikes booked in for repair (alongside the other bikes!) in the last week alone, his own shop sold three every week (Currie Izips) - and he was having to do overtime until 22:00 to clear the backlog of repairs.

Whilst this good for short term profit its probably more business than one or two people can handle - the chap will burn himself out this way - this is all business the other LBS's in town are losing out on and it means the e-bikers get the impression that they are more problematic and take a longer time to repair....

if all the shops took in e-bikes for repair then clearly everyone would gain with greater awareness and skills, more even distribution of available business and reduced turnaround times for repairs.

 

[Mussels]

if all the shops took in e-bikes for repair then clearly everyone would gain with greater awareness and skills, more even distribution of available business and reduced turnaround times for repairs.

I just can't see this happening unless ebikes get much more popular. Apart from retraining they will need spares or quick access to spares, a shop that works with a particular brand or a shop dedicated to ebikes can manage that but for most LBS it's a lot of effort for little reward.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Beba

Mybe its a good idea if its properly regulated. ..is this another way to make money out of the supplier? how much will it cost them & who approves them ? A independant or someone already selling electric bikes? is it another case of big brother keeping a eye on everyone... Oh & welcome back bob

Absolutly not Scatty

It will be the industry looking after it's self with out interference from Big Brother. There will be a charge of course but all monies colleted will be spent on promoting electric bikes, nobody will be taking a profit indeed all the founding members so far have given time, expenses and a cash injection.

Membership will not be compulsory but anyone thinking it is good value and good for the business would be welcomed.

Best regards David

 

[Alex728]

I just can't see this happening unless ebikes get much more popular. Apart from retraining they will need spares or quick access to spares, a shop that works with a particular brand or a shop dedicated to ebikes can manage that but for most LBS it's a lot of effort for little reward.

For the "electric" bits (and maybe the non standard chainrings) yes, but these don't actually go wrong that often and otherwise the bulk of the service requirements most e-bikes have are the same as any other sort of bicycle.

The issue I ran into in Ipswich was other shops which are very competent with working with "normal" bikes just didn't want to know. (I think there is a shortage of decent bike mechanics anyway). This is ironically a region where ebikes are indeed getting a lot more popular ...

 

[flecc]

It's true that the electrics on e-bikes are very reliable on the whole, and in nearly all instances, any trouble occurs very early in an e-bike's life due to a manufacturing fault. Since these few instances are dealt with by the bike suppliers under warranty, the dealer isn't involved very often.

The problem as Alex says is that fear of involvement causes dealers to refuse the normal cycle work that is often needed, brakes and bearings repair and maintenance, hub and deraillleur gear problems, spoke replacement and wheel building, and chain and sprockets renewal.
.