The inaugural in-person North American Cargo Bike Conference (NACBC) was successfully held on Sept. 9 in Vancouver, B.C. during the Fully Charged LIVE Canada event that debuted Feb. 8-10 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

As e-cargo bikes continue to gain traction around the globe for personal and commercial use, the conference, organized by Our Greenway Conservancy, welcomed players from the government and business sectors to exchange ideas and propose solutions to some of the challenges facing this evolving sector of sustainable cycle logistics.

The presentation was in the form of round table discussions starting with a Municipalities panel, followed by Operators and then Manufacturers, with panel leaders posing questions.

Starting with Municipalities, the trio of experts included Jessica McLennan (City of Vancouver), Jason Meggs from Washington, DC (Transportation Research Board), and Aaron Dixon (City of Coquitlam). The three experts reviewed the pace at which changes can take hold amidst provincial transportation and highway act regulations, along with city by-laws. While solutions and integration can often take time, progress is being made to implement active transportation and sustainable logistic initiatives.

Operators such as Brad Baker (PenguinPickUp), Franklin Jones (B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery), Sandra Allen (Shift Delivery Co-op) and Kevin McLaughlin (Zygg eBikes) reviewed the challenges that delivery riders face amidst the growing popularity of green solutions while addressing the bottom line that every business faces. Mobility solutions such as creating more delivery hubs and protected cycling infrastructure, including accommodating riders and their e-bikes on local transit, along with parking, loading and unloading, were some of the issues addressed.

“Electric vehicles have come a long way, and e-cargo bikes have emerged as the ideal choice for sustainable urban logistics. Consumers are eager to embrace sustainable delivery options and collaboration between businesses, municipalities and manufacturers is key. We must unite in unprecedented ways to build the infrastructure, partnerships and ecosystem required for sustainable last-mile solutions,” commented Brad Baker from PenguinPickUp.

The final panel, Manufacturers, saw Sven Etzelsberger (URB-E), Ben Morris (Coaster Cycles), Sam Atakhanov (DŌST Bikes), Guylain Roy-MacHabée (Innovobot) and Jared Sartee (Sartee Bikes) tackle the rapidly changing technical advancements and the need for standards and common-sense regulations, e.g., lithium-ion batteries to deliver safe and reliable products for consumer and commercial use. While acceptance is on the rise, in order to advance cycle logistics on a wider scale, green solutions need to meet or exceed the value proposition for delivery companies to convert.

“The NACBC is a stepping stone to bringing validation and collaboration in the cargo bike space. We need a venue where stakeholders can network, evaluate, and work to create the framework for broader market adoption. We’re eager to continue the conversations with all of the participants involved and continue to develop the road map for further innovation in cities across North America,” said Ben Morris from Coaster Cycles.

Following a lunch break that included networking, test rides and taking in the manufacturers showcase, the conference resumed with two workshops that were challenged to address what the future state of cargo bikes and cycle logistics might look like.

Some of the key takeaways included the need for more communication between businesses, manufacturers, operators and government officials, the development of national standards and certification policies, the implementation of more incentive programs and safe infrastructure, the modification of existing regulations to encourage and allow green solutions such as New York City’s pending approval of 4-wheel e-cargo bikes, and initiating more pilot programs such as e-cargo bike sharing.

The conference, sponsored by the Government of British Columbia, with support from the International Cargo Bike Festival, concluded with closing remarks by organizers Sam Starr and Darnel Harris from Our Greenway Conservancy, who thanked all sponsors and attendees.

“NACBC’s inaugural year had a great showing of leaders from across the North American commercial cargo bike industry, from municipalities, operators and manufacturers. Between the panels, the manufacturer’s showcase, and the interactive workshops, we are laying the foundations for the future of cargo bikes and cycle logistics across the continent. The key takeaway from the conference was the importance of collaboration and co-opetition, and the need for a sustainable ecosystem across all stakeholders to accelerate scalability and adoption,” added Starr.

The NACBC was greatly inspired by the International Cargo Bike Festival (ICBF), which is co-locating with Fully Charged Live Europe at Rai Amsterdam on November 24-26, 2023.

Our Greenway will share results from the event in the form of a State of the Industry academic report through its partnership with York University’s CITY Institute.

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Bafang Electric (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of complete e-drive systems and components for e-mobility, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. First launched in 2003, the global company focuses on all e-mobility trends for e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, and e-scooters for personal and commercial use, along with public bike-sharing schemes.

At Eurobike 2023 in Frankfurt, Bafang hosted a party at their booth to recognize this company milestone and to thank their many supporters, customers, employees and friends. “We extend a special thanks and are grateful to all of you for supporting us over the years,” said company President and Managing Director, Qinghua Wang.

Wang’s business career began after he graduated from the Harbin Institute of Technology back in 1988, where he majored in micro- motor control. Working at various companies over the next decade, he gained valuable experience in both motor design and manufacturing. His focus then turned to the application of brushed circuit board reduction motors in the field of electric bicycles.

In 2003, Wang established Suzhou Bafang Motor Technology Co., Ltd. with co-founder Xianbing He, and thus began a journey that would see the new company become a Chinese powerhouse in the world of two-wheeled e-mobility.

The next year, Bafang began exploring business in the European market. In 2005, it unveiled its first hub motor for e-bikes.

Soon after Yu Zhenhua joined the company as a director, and Bafang began developing its own expertise in-house, as management understood that e-bike power systems included the motor and other complex components such as controllers, e-bike sensors and batteries. By training their own personnel, they could manufacture complete systems in-house to become more self- sufficient and have better control over the various technologies needed and their costs, while gaining a competitive advantage.

Aiming to expand overseas, the company opened a subsidiary in the Netherlands in 2011 to tackle the lucrative European market. In 2012, Bafang Electric developed its first-generation mid-mounted motor system, and with this breakthrough successfully entered the mid-to-high-end e-bike market.

Three short years later, the Bafang team won the German 24-hour Rally championship, out-pacing well- established competitors along with other teams, demonstrating the strength of its electric power-assist system on the world stage.

In 2017, Bafang established a U.S. subsidiary in California. The following year, they took home another victory in Japan that saw Bafang’s M400 system win the first JNCC simulated cross- country competition championship. Also in 2018, Bafang Electric’s M800 motor won the German Design Award, and the company established an office in Germany.

That same year, Bafang began a sponsorship with the CST PostNL Bafang MTB Racing Team in collaboration with American Eagle MTB under the leadership of Bart Brentjens, the Dutch former Olympic gold medallist

Along the way, Bafang set up its own R&D division with special teams for batteries, motors, controllers, sensors and integration projects, which allowed the company to optimize its operations. Boasting 343 patents, their R&D division currently represents 25% of the company’s 1200+ employees worldwide, and Bafang’s investment in R&D ranks among the best in the industry.

In Sept. 2019, Bafang opened its first production facility outside of China, in Wroclaw, Poland, a location that offered excellent logistics, supplier and traffic infrastructure. Two months later in Nov., on Double 11, China’s (and the world’s) biggest shopping festival, the company successfully listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and Bafang Electric (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. became its new official name.

Bafang’s plant in Poland represented a first-phase investment of approximately $16 million with a staff of around 50 employees. Two assembly lines catered to the production of the company’s most important mid-drive systems: M400, M420 and M300. The company also hoped to shorten delivery lead times from six to four months, with a gradual reduction to two months.

“We are very excited to be investing here in Poland,” said Wang at the opening. “This day signifies the beginning of a long relationship between us and the communities of Kobierzyce, Wroclaw and the Lower Silesia region. We are greatly appreciative of all the support we’ve received from the community to make this multi-million-dollar investment become a reality.”

Meanwhile, Germany saw the official renaming of its subsidiary there to Bafang Electric GmbH in 2020, with successes including a move to much larger facilities, while extending the range of its activities and adding new personnel.

In 2021, a third wholly owned subsidiary in China called Bafang New Energy (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. was established to develop and produce high-end batteries.

In May 2022, Bafang Electric shifted its race marketing activities to Italy. The company partnered with Agazzini Bikes and their factory racing team, outfitting their eMTBs with Bafang’s powerful M510 motors that deliver 95Nm of torque.

Then in July 2022, the SGS Standard Technical Service Co., Ltd. certified that Bafang’s laboratory met the high-quality requirements of testing procedures, including the laboratory’s test environment, equipment and personnel professionalism, along with the accuracy and reproducibility of test results.

A month later, Bafang completed the building of an Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) laboratory, becoming one of the few companies in the global electric systems industry to own such a facility.

In fall 2022, Bafang introduced its new IOT system consisting of a module, the Bafang Go+ app and the Cloud to deliver a new level of e-bike connectivity and interaction. The IOT housing is small, versatile and flexible according to the manufacturer’s frame specifications.

In 2023, the company launched its latest venture, a T&D division that is focused on the sphere of e-motorcycles. “After 20 years in the cycling industry, Bafang remains a brand committed to providing innovative technology and unique riding experiences — T&D represents a confident step towards new opportunities and green mobility solutions. We are incredibly excited to share this new venture with Bafang partners and fans,” states the T&D website.

The company’s current lineup for e-bike systems is impressive with 11 M-Series (mid) motors, 12 H-Series (rear hub) motors, 3 H-Series (front hub) motors, 14 batteries, 8 LCD and 4 LED displays.

Bafang Electric operates sales and service centres in the Netherlands, the USA, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Poland and China.

All of Bafang’s production sites are ISO 9001 certified. Their products are RoHS-compliant for hazardous materials and have the CE label meeting European health, safety and environmental protection standards. The production process is also accompanied by continuous quality controls, and all components are carefully tested during production.

“Bafang’s goal is to produce innovative and high-quality products for our customers that make a tangible contribution to their riding comfort. Our employees are dedicated to this aim. We embrace every challenge and strive to develop new ground-breaking products that set new standards,” commented Wang.

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Yamaha Motor launched the world’s first production e-bike back in 1993, and the impressive current growth of electric bicycles around the globe is testimony to the company’s pioneer spirit. The milestone achievement saw its legendary Power Assist System (PAS) enjoy a successful market debut.

What began as an initiative back in 1989 to address societal issues in Japan, ranging from the environment to congestion and the energy sector, along with a rapidly aging population amidst a falling birthrate, led Yamaha to focus on the bicycle. The company developed a commuter-style prototype that utilized an electric motor to assist the user’s pedalling force, as a means for greater personal mobility that anyone could enjoy.

Soon after, Yamaha’s new PAS system was unveiled, and the world of cycling and personal mobility would change forever. The novel system was composed of a torque sensor that detected the force being applied to the pedals; a speed sensor to detect the speed of the bicycle in motion; a computerized controller coupled to the electric motor that generated assistive force; a drive unit that transmitted assistive force to the rear wheel; and a battery that powered the system.

In 1995, the Yamaha PAS C system featured a new detachable nickel-cadmium battery that allowed it to be charged on or off the e-bike. Lighter than conventional lead batteries, it was also less susceptible to changes in ambient temperature, provided a more stable current, and had a higher lifecycle.

More innovations saw the Intelligent Flexible Energy System (I.F.E.S.) developed for battery management in 1999. The system’s computer unit enabled status and data sharing, while monitoring the current, voltage, use frequency, usage conditions and battery temperature.

In 2003, a new, compact and lightweight centre-mounted drive unit, employing a brushless DC motor using rare-earth magnets, was developed. In addition, a new direct-to-chain assist arrangement brought higher efficiency and enabled a smooth and powerful feeling while pedalling.

The first lithium-ion battery for a PAS model arrived in 2004, boasting 32% more capacity and a whopping 25% weight-saving. It also enabled Yamaha to add a new power mode, while a newly designed standing charger made battery recharging a much simpler task.

With the debut of Yamaha’s Brace model in 2008, the company hit the one million mark in e-bike drive unit production. The new Brace featured an 8-speed internal-gear hub, a high-rigidity diamond frame, front suspension shocks, Shimano V-brakes (front and rear), semi-slick tires, and an adjustable handlebar stem.

By 2013, Europe had become one of the world’s leading e-bike markets. Yamaha began supplying bicycle manufacturers in Europe with e-bike system kits including a drive unit, battery, display and dedicated charger. Soon after, the new 3.5kg PW Series e-bike system kit was launched specifically for the EU market and included a compact, lightweight, and high-performance centre-mounted drive unit with a maximum peak torque of 80Nm.

Two years later, Yamaha’s YPJ-R electric road bike was released. Utilizing their compact and lightweight PW Series drive unit, it offered an entirely new way to enjoy the recreational cycling experience. In April of that year, the company’s cumulative e-bike drive unit production reached 3 million units.

In 2018, Yamaha Motor launched its first e-MTB model, the YDX-TORC, which featured its top-end PW-X drive unit developed specifically for mountain bikes. The company also made an exciting entry into the rapidly growing e-bike market in the U.S., introducing four new models that featured the YDX-TORC, the Urban Rush drop-handle road bike, the CrossCore fitness bike, and the CrossConnect city bike for everyday use and recreation.

With their expansion, sales were growing. And the next year, Yamaha hit five million e-bike drive units. In 2020, their flagship YDX-MORO Pro eMTB model was released, featuring their powerful next-gen PW-X2 drive unit mounted to Yamaha’s patented Dual Twin® frame.

The new design split the frame into upper and lower sections to “cage” the battery, mount the drive unit, and integrate the suspension components, while delivering excellent chassis rigidity and weight balance. More unique technologies from Yamaha included mountain-ready front and rear suspension and their Quad Sensor System.

In 2022, Yamaha launched three new models aimed at the European market, including the top-shelf All-Mountain YDX- MORO 07, the Wabash RT gravel e-bike, and the do-it-all CrossCore RC urban e-bike — all with their even smaller, yet powerful, PW-X3 drive unit.

It was time to celebrate in 2023 in recognition of the launch of the world’s first production power-assist e-bike back in 1993. Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles announced the release of the 30th Anniversary Special Edition YDX-MORO 07, with its PW-X3 drive unit, a performance e-bike with racing tradition, pedigree and reliability, created for the next generation of eMTB riders.

In addition, Yamaha Motor Canada launched its e-bike division and introduced three eMTB models, including the YDX-MORO 05, the YDX- MORO 07, along with the 30th Anniversary Special Edition YDX-MORO 07 model. Currently available exclusively through a selection of Yamaha dealers, there are plans to expand the line-up and make it available to other independent bike shops as well.

“Yamaha has been a pioneer in e-bikes for more than three decades, and this is an exciting time to be pushing the industry forward in the U.S.,” said Drew Engelmann, National Sales and Marketing Manager at Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles. “In 2023, we affirm our dedication to continue further advancing our technologies and offerings to bring riders in the U.S. e-bikes that make every day more fun and fulfilling.”

The milestone was further recognized by Rob Trester, Manager of Yamaha’s Smart Power Vehicle Division and the Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles group in the U.S. who commented, “Yamaha’s passion for performance is driven by our racing heritage, and the YDX-MORO 07 Special Edition is a true thoroughbred for the next generation of eMTB riders. Since the 1993 launch of our first electrically power-assisted bicycle 30 years ago, which was hailed as a first of its kind, Yamaha has been a world- leading innovator in e-bike technology with millions of riders globally.”

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