UK independent bike traders react with frustration and disappointment Watch BBC Panorama on an electric bike aired earlier this week.
Hosted by Adrian Chiles, the show, titled “E-Bikes: The Battle for Our Streets,” explores the rise of e-bikes in communities across the country and questions about whether they should be considered a threat or positive and environmentally friendly arguments. Form of transportation.
One of the focuses of the documentary is the rise of e-bikes being used for criminal purposes in central London and other major cities.
Jonathan Harrison, director of the Bicycle Traders Association, tells us Cycling Weekly He was frustrated with the show, feeling it only focused on the negatives without properly showing the benefits they brought.
He said: “I’m really disappointed to see a scheme like this without any meaningful consultation on the merits of e-bikes and with very little distinction between illegal and legal.”
Gavin Hudson walnut bike One north London cyclist agreed and said it would only cause further disgust towards those who choose to use legal e-bikes in public. He explained that he believed the documentary’s main purpose was to increase unnecessary hysteria about cycling.
“I think the program probably achieved what it set out to do,” he said. “When the credits ended, nearly everyone who watched it, whether for or against e-bikes, was outraged. There were multiple shots of e-scooters, but far fewer shots of e-bikes.
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“The question really is, does the hysteria match up with the actual harm being done? The vast majority of anti-social behavior is on e-scooters, not legal e-bikes. We love getting people moving, hate this Such splits try to sew.”
The program attracted the attention of cycling associations [BA] – the governing body representing the UK cycling industry – made a formal complaint to the BBC, insisting that the word “e-bike” be removed from the show title in order to more accurately describe the content of the Panorama episodes. More precise fashion.
Peter Elam, technical and policy director at the Cycling Association, said the BBC needed to work to “make it fully clear and correctly inform the public that e-bikes and illegal e-scooters are two completely different categories”.
Elan said the BBC regretted that the program failed to include the opinions of industry experts and instead relied on the views of “enthusiasts who collect illegal e-scooters rather than road-legal e-bikes”.
Another area of concern raised by the show is its suggestion that illegal e-bikes can be purchased through the “Cycle to Work” scheme.
Mr Hudson said this led to further frustration as it could damage the reputation of honest “bricks and mortar” businessmen in the country.
He said: “As a retailer we take great care to only sell or produce e-bikes that are legal and safe and should an incident occur we receive a clear and obvious paper trail and it is not our business. Hopefully at Butternut Bikes we will set a record Record.
“The purchase of e-scooters through the cycle to work scheme appears to be more of a dodgy shop situation than a case of widespread adoption.
“We’re seeing many customers appreciate the value of a safe and reliable e-bike, using the program to get themselves to work and picking up their children.”
He added: “In order to be part of the cycle to work scheme we also have to demonstrate that we have adequate insurance and if we use illegal e-bikes our insurance will be void.”
A BBC spokesperson said on Thursday: “The Panorama E-Bike: The Battle for Our Streets film explores the growing use of e-bikes on UK roads and whether Britain’s towns and cities have adequately adapted.
“The film highlights the benefits of e-bikes, including their impact on the environment and the convenience they bring to people, but also looks at the growing concerns among councils, police forces and citizens about all types of e-bikes.”
They added: “The film explains the differences between the various types of e-bikes (legal and illegal) and talks to a wide range of respondents. The presenters conclude that e-bikes are beneficial, but What is needed is regulation. We encourage people to watch the film in person.”
