Electric Bicycles use set to change urban landscape by storm?

[bic_cherry]

Electric Bicycles use set to change urban landscape by storm?...
Judging by the utility (range up to 100miles/charge in one report), energy efficiency/environmental friendliness, efficiency in road space use, affordability(low /easy maintainance, 'free' parking) of electric bicycle transport, reduction in gahmen healthcare expenditure form more exercise and lesser air-pollution, I think that electric bicycles as the core transport mode for masses is set to overtake the urban transport landscape by storm.

(Electric Bicycle Pict source)

Other reasons:
- Frequent and unreasonable public transport fare increases vs unstable and overloaded rail/bus transport system plagued with labour shortages and strikes and unpredictability of world oil prices:

(Pict source)
- Worsening snails pace bus speeds of average less than 17.8kph (2012) given city centre traffic congestion: See:'Public transport in Singapore: Ride bicycle is faster.' ;
- relative low costs of sponsoring bicycle rental scheme rather than expensive public transport subsidies which will ALWAYS be criticised given that the only other current transport alternative is private transport by either taxi or car.
- Larger wealth divide meaning that many will not be comfortable with even 'subsidised' public transport costs.

In Conclusion,
The a/m benefits of which health, economy, speed and the environment are core, make electric bicycle use a compelling transport option for the majority of urbanites regardless of whether they are rich/poor.

Market penetration
E-bike usage worldwide has experienced rapid growth since 1998. It is estimated that there were roughly 120 million e-bikes in China as of early 2010, and sales are expanding rapidly in India, the United States of America, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. A total of 700,000 e-bikes were sold in Europe in 2010, up from 200,000 in 2007 and 500,000 units in 2009.
Today, China is the world's leading producer of e-bikes. According to the data of the China Bicycle Association, a government-chartered industry group, in 2004 China's manufacturers sold 7.5 million e-bikes nationwide, which was almost twice the year 2003 sales; domestic sales reached 10 million in 2005, and 16 to 18 million in 2006.
Electric bicycle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Environmental Credentials
A recent study on the environment impact of e-bikes vs other forms of transportation found that e-bikes are about:
18 times more energy efficient than an SUV
13 times more energy efficient than a sedan
6 times more energy efficient than rail transit
and, of about equal impact to the environment as a conventional bicycle.
Electric bicycle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Efficient use of road space for shorter distances, ride bicycle is better:
"In the space it takes to accommodate 60 cars, cities can accommodate around sixteen buses or more than 600 bikes. As Australia’s population swells and our cities experience ever increasing congestion we need to get smarter about how we use existing road space—including investing more in alternatives such as public transport and cycling—if we are to move people more efficiently and effectively.” said former professional cyclist Stephen Hodge (Australia).

Münster's iconic 'waste of space' photo keeps on giving - Bikehub - http://www.bikehub.co.uk
Related:
- Public transport in Singapore: Ride bicycle is faster.