During the Cycle Mobility Summit, meet TILER at the Mobility Expo: a groundbreaking charging solution for e-bikes, among other things, that makes micro-mobility even more accessible. Olivier Coops, Founder and CEO of TILER, shares his vision on how innovations are maturing the e-bike market. Ahead of his session on Thursday, Oct. 3, we asked him a few questions about the role of innovations for a broader integration of cycling in commuting.
What role does innovation play in the e-bike market for commuting?
"A very big role," begins Olivier. "The market is maturing. That means that some mobility solution providers or innovations may not make it, but I see that as a sign: it indicates that the market is growing, and gaining direction. Innovations and their integration within the bicycle industry are crucial in this regard, as they make the e-bike accessible to an increasing group of people as a means of transportation. Unfortunately, the environment is not always ready for that yet."
How do you notice this in practice?
"Think, for example, of employees having to bring their own charging cord to work to recharge the battery, the extension cords in the parking lot to charge batteries, and the very worst of all bringing lithium batteries and charging them on a heater next to your desk in a public building. Embracing the e-bike, both regular and speed-pedelec, as a sustainable alternative for short and medium trips is still in its infancy. By making smarter use of available space - and on-site charging capacity - we are making it more comfortable for employers and employees to choose the electric bike over the car."
Do changing laws and regulations affect this?
"Absolutely. New regulations, such as the passenger mobility reporting requirement for employers with more than 100 employees, encourage bicycle use. And the EU Construction Directive requiring charging infrastructure for e-bikes on new projects. And in the process, insurers are diving on additional fire safety requirements for lithium batteries. This makes issues around charging capacity and bicycle parking even more urgent. This applies to both owned bikes and shared bikes. Employers increasingly want employees to visit business appointments within cycling distance using a company bicycle."
Are there other technological developments affecting the future of the e-bike?
"Certainly, in several areas. At TILER, we ensure that there is always a charged e-bike ready to go without you having to do anything. There is also a solution where you can link a company bicycle to a staff pass, which facilitates the use of shared bikes. A lot is also happening in the area of theft prevention and track and trace. Therefore, the electric bike is becoming increasingly unattractive to thieves."
What do you hope to give people during your pitch at the Cycle Mobility Summit?
"I want to inspire people to think out-of-the-box about how to design micro-mobility so that the bicycle becomes a full-fledged alternative to the car. In this, TILER offers a practical solution. During the Summit, I am ready to spar about the possibilities, both from a commercial and public sector perspective."
Visit TILER at the Mobility Expo during the Cycle Mobility Summit on Thursday, Oct. 3. Register for free.
