Shared mechanical or electric bikes: what type of bike should you choose to meet your city's needs?
The choice between mechanical and electric bikes to create a shared bike system in a city depends on several factors, such as user needs, city infrastructure, budget constraints and environmental objectives. Qucit takes a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these two types of system.
Credits: Mobi by Shaw Go
Electrical systems
In the fourth "Shared Micromobility, State of the Industry Report 2022", the North American Bicycle and Scooter Share Association (NABSA) reports for the first time that the number of shared electric bike systems exceeds that of mechanical bike systems (55% vs. 45%). The rise of these shared electric bikes is largely due to their success with users.
For users
The ➕
Shared electric bikes are more accessible and reach a much wider audience, especially people who are not used to cycle. They also make it possible to cover longer distances while making less effort than with a mechanical bike.
The ➖
Rental fees can be higher than those charged for mechanical bikes. Similarly, their limited autonomy as well as the complexity of use for the uninitiated can be a barrier to their use.
For cities
The ➕
A shared e-bike system can help a city to increase cycling on its territory. In fact, they help widen access to public transport by offering an alternative way to cover relatively long distances effortlessly.
The ➖
Investing in a shared electric bike system can represent a higher cost than a fleet of mechanical bikes, as electric bikes are more expensive to purchase. Similarly, the maintenance of these fleets is more expensive. The local authority and the operator need to think about the charging strategy before the system is put into service. They have to chose between charging stations or battery swaps.
Charging stations allow vehicles to be recharged after use. They require the user to bring the bike back to a station in order to recharge it or for field operators to move unloaded bikes to charging stations.
On the other hand, the battery swap does not depend on the user but on a technical team of the operator whose job will be to exchange the discharged batteries of the vehicles for fully charged ones.
The advantage of the battery swap lies in the full availability of the vehicle once the operation is completed. Recharging at a charging station, on the other hand, will require a longer time to reach full charge. However, both of these approaches require the mobilization of a technical team, generating higher operating costs.
That's why Qucit integrates both battery replacement ("Battery Swap") and intelligent relocation of e-bikes ("Intelligent E-bike Relocation") to charging stations with the Bike charging module.
To learn more about our application, make an appointment with our team!
“ÀVÉLO" SYSTEM OPERATORS USE QUCIT BIKE TO MANAGE THEIR ELECTRIC BIKES
Mechanical systems
Although mechanical bike systems have been declining slightly in recent years in favor of electric or hybrid systems, their ease of deployment still makes them a real asset for promoting cycling in an area.
For users
The ➕
Shared mechanical bicycles encourage more physical exercise, and the maintenance of good health for the user. They're also perfect for the last mile of a commute. Their affordable rental fees also make them accessible to a wide public and promote cycling in the territories where they are located.
The ➖
While mechanical bikes encourage more physical exercise, this can be a barrier for some users who are not keen on cycling or are in less good physical condition. The target audience will therefore be less broad than for electric bikes. For the same reasons, mechanical bikes are less suited to all types of urban travel, such as long-distance journeys (over 5 kilometers) or hilly terrain.
For cities
The ➕
Implementing a shared mechanical bike system in an area can be an undeniable financial advantage for cities, as these bikes are up to three times cheaper to buy than electric bikes. What's more, mechanical bikes don't require any specific electrical charging infrastructure, making them easier to deploy in urban environments without the need for major modifications. Due to the absence of electronic components, mechanical bike fleets are also less costly to maintain.
The ➖
On the other hand, mechanical bikes are less suited to hilly, windy cities. The physical effort required may exclude certain publics from cycling.
“Helsinki City Bikes" SYSTEM OPERATORS USE QUCIT BIKE TO MANAGE THEIR MECHANICAL BIKES
What about hybrid systems?
A bike-share system combining mechanical and electric bikes offers flexibility to users, while introducing more complex operational challenges for operators. The advantages and disadvantages depend largely on implementation, management and the specific needs of the community where the system is deployed.
For users
The ➕
Hybrid systems adapt better to users' needs. They offer them the opportunity to choose a type of bike according to their personal preferences, fitness level and distance to be covered. They are also a solution for cities with difficult terrain, as they offer users the option of renting an electric bike to make the journey more pleasant
The ➖
Hybrid systems can lead to uneven availability depending on the type of bike. Indeed, electric bikes may be more popular and therefore less available than mechanical bikes, which can lead to user frustration. Also, rental fees may differ between mechanical and electric bikes.
For cities
The ➕
Hybrid systems enable local authorities to offer their users an electric alternative without having to pay for an exclusively electric fleet. The choice of bike type left to the user also enables them to reach a wider public and promote cycling more effectively on their territory.
The ➖
The choice of a mixed fleet complicates the operational management of the system. Indeed, rotation rates for electric bikes can be higher than for mechanical bikes, leading to their premature wear.
“TARTU SMART BIKE SHARE” OPERATORS USE QUCIT BIKE TO MANAGE THEIR HYBRID SYSTEM