E-bikes are revolutionising European cities. Why is the UK not following their example?

In the wake of growing climate awareness, electric bikes are speeding into the mainstream. So why is England falling so far behind in the race to go Lime green, asks Sonia Klug

Lime’s brightly coloured fleet of electric-assist bikes parked in the UK in 2018 (Getty)

We have grown used to cars dominating city life. Having to put up with the resulting emissions, air pollution, road deaths and noise just seems the natural order of things. But, if you look to Europe, many cities have managed to loosen the tight grip cars have on them. In Amsterdam, half of all journeys are done by bike (as opposed to 2.5 per cent in London), and in Copenhagen, 41 per cent of people cycle to work or school.

In cities like these, e-bikes have become mainstream and play an essential part in broadening access to cycling, with all demographics embracing them for everyday mobility – from grocery shopping to commuting. They’re quick and convenient, relatively cheap and have been shown to improve physical and even mental health.

There is also a vast body of research that shows that cycling (e-assisted or not) can solve some of our most pressing problems. Greater uptake would help to reduce CO2 emissions to slow global heating, lessen air pollution, stop cities from grinding to a halt and lessen health issues caused by inactivity, which are crippling the NHS.