Talybont e-Bike Trial

Talybont Energy is running a trial of 2 electric assist (‘pedelec’) bicycles in the Green Valleys region – starting in April. We plan to loan the bikes to individuals, communities and employers in the Green Valleys area so people can try them as an alternative to commuting short distances by car – e.g. to work or the local shops.

Early analysis of the Green Valleys carbon audit data suggests that car transport accounts for 40% of our domestic energy consumption – i.e. about twice that of our electricity consumption. Living in our rural, hilly region with sparse public transport, most of us are heavily reliant on the car.

We are interested in exploring sustainable alternatives to short car journeys (i.e. 5 miles or less). In Wales, these account for 64% of all journeys and, unfortunately, have the highest (relative) fuel consumption. For those who commute less than 1 mile to work in Wales, 44% use the car and this rises to 77% for those who commute between 1 and 3 miles to work. Very few people cycle.

The proposed trial will explore whether electric ‘pedelec’ bicycles can change that at all. Pedelec bikes provide electric power assistance when you are pedalling, giving the rider the sensation of bionic legs. They effectively level out hills which reduces the human effort and extends where and how far people are willing to travel by bike.

The aim of the trial is to test whether electric bikes could replace a percentage of short car journeys in our rural and hilly environment and to explore the psychology of using such bikes compared to ordinary bikes or cars.

For example, a survey conducted by Leeds University found that the average user of an electric bike covered 1,200 miles per annum compared to only 120 miles for a traditional non-electric bike. The bikes replaced 3 car journeys a week on average – mostly commuting to work and shopping.

The market for electric bikes in the UK is growing fast. 15,000 were sold in 2008 and sales are forecasted to rise by 50% in 2009 to 23,000 bikes. So far, the penetration in Wales has been low but the first dedicated electric bike shop opened in Presteigne in March.

We are hoping to have an Open Day in Talybont-on-Usk in early April to launch the trial. On that day, a whole range of electric bikes will be available and all members of the Green Valleys communities will be very welcome to come along and try a bike and see if they would like to take part in the trial.