Rotterdam experiments with electric bicycles for employees
05-04-2009
Rotterdam local authorities will provide their own employees with several dozen electric bicycles. This is the start of a project to station electric bicycles with major Rotterdam employers over the next two years.
Employees may apply on-line to test the bicycle for a week on their daily commute. The e-bikes will be available for a month for each employer. The project Elektrische fiets: proberen is overtuigen is carried out by order of the Rotterdam local authorities. The project is part of a programme aimed at promoting electric vehicles in favour of Rotterdam air quality and accessibility.
The number of electric bicycles sold last year in the Netherlands broke all records. Sales of 121,000 had been forecast, but the number increased to an amazing 134,000, in comparison to the 2007 number of 89,000. Average cost of bicycles sold increased as well, by 14% over 2007, to €688.-per bike.