BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Braving the winter weather, attendees at the first e-bike seminar from the Bicycle Association were pleased they made the effort yesterday to get to Easenhall in the Midlands.
The Bicycle Association chose to hold the seminar at the HQ of BEN, the automotive and associated industries charity.
The seminar was held in the appropriately named Robert Bosch room, named after an early 20th century motor trade magnate but with resonance today because Bosch of Germany is aiming to become a major player in the e-bike transmission and propulsion market.
Attendees at the seminar watched presentations from industry experts, including bosses Ian Beasant of Giant
and Nigel Roberts of Trek.
Raleigh’s e-bike specialist Lloyd Clarkson gave a lively speech on a potentially dull topic: the harmonisation of EU and UK e-bike laws.
Seminar attendees included non Bicycle Association members such as three representatives of the Association of Cycle Traders (including the president, David Wilsher) and Patrick Lingood and Steve Sopp of the Department for Transport.
Peter Eland of Electric Bike magazine was also there (looking very dapper, and without a bike – he’s recently got his driving licence).
CTC was represented by it tech guru, Chris Juden.
E-bike specialists at the event included Mark Searles of Cytronex and David Miall of Wisper.
Despite the freezing weather, some attendees availed themselves of e-bike test rides after the meeting was over.
It’s likely the BA will stage another e-bike seminar within six months.
A fuller report of the meeting will be included in the next BikeBiz magazine.
