Posts by Phil Latz
First Ride Impressions of LEV’s Just Landed in Australia
Brisbane / Queensland EMoS is a Brisbane based brand that’s pioneering the approval process and importation of a range of Light Electric Vehicles. Just before Christmas 2020, I was able to thread the needle between covid border restrictions and meet with Founder and Chief Technical Officer Wolfgang Roffman, along with Tony Blackshaw, Head of Operations…
Bird Develops Skid Detection System
Skid detection is an important safety and compliance feature that has the potential to deliver significant security benefits to both riders and communities. Ryan Fujiu – Chief Product Officer, Bird. Los Angeles / California / USA Major scooter-share company Bird has developed a skid detection system to help encourage safe and compliant e-scooter riding. Skidding…
Now, Even Lego Has a Cargo Bike!
Billund / Denmark In a sign of the times, Lego’s new City Shopping Street pack, released on 1st January 2021 features a bike shop with a mountain bike, road bike and a cargo bike. There’s also a blue bike lane marked along the Lego street, albeit rather too narrow compared to the roadway! The collection…
Free Planning Guide For Cycle Logistics Hubs Published
Copenhagen / Denmark City Changer Cargo Bike (CCCB) is a collaboration of 20 partners including cities, research institutions, NGOs, and industries from all over Europe in the quest to achieve a faster, more cost-effective and larger-scale deployment of cargo bike based logistics. On 22nd January 2021 CCCB published a comprehensive 28-page guide to different design…
Oslo Gets Serious About Micromobility
Oslo / Norway The City of Oslo has seen a 77% increase in bicycle traffic since passing a dedicated bicycle strategy in 2015. They were previously building just 1.5 kilometres of separated cycling infrastructure per year which was increased 10 fold to over 15 kilometres per year. This is about to double again as they’ve…
From Big Auto to Big Electric
Washington DC / USA It was bound to happen sooner or later. On 17th November 2020, 28 USA corporations founded ZETA, the Zero Emission Transportation Association. Their initial 28 members include electric vehicle manufacturers Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Lordstown and Proterra. They also include engineering companies, mining industry groups (for copper and lithium) battery companies, electricity…
Shared Micromobility Company Pony Wins Start Up Prize
Brussels / Belgium The European Startup Prize for mobility (EUSP) is an EU-founded Acceleration and Investment Programme for sustainable mobility start-ups. This initiative aims to support and scale up smart and sustainable mobility start-ups all across Europe. Each year, 500+ start-ups apply to its Acceleration and Investment programme. The EUSP provides multiple investment opportunities as…
Why Are Some Countries So Much Safer for Cycling Than Others?
Washington DC / USA The USA’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently published its first bicycle safety report in 47 years. Although, as you’d expect the report is focused upon the USA, we found this interesting chart (below) that shows a comparison of both the popularity of cycling and the death rate across 14 countries…
Dockless Ebike Share – A First Time User’s Perspective
I deliberately did not go online to read any instructions in advance. I wanted to see what the experience would be like if I was a casual tourist or local visitor, just hiring on impulse. Phil Latz Sydney / NSW Last year Lime rolled out their re-branded Jump dockless ebike system in Sydney. During a…
The Bicycle Universe in 30 Minutes
Sydney / NSW ABC’s Radio National has produced an excellent 30 minute summary of the history of cycling worldwide, leading up to its current and future role as a post covid transport solution. Produced by Annabelle Quince and Keri Phillips the Rear Vision program is extremely well researched. It features brief interview excerpts with experts…