Zag Daily

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking launches a Call for Evidence as part of an inquiry into e-bike safety in the UK. With a focus on low-quality e-bike conversion kits, delivery practices and gig economy work, the inquiry comes amid growing concerns over e-bikes purchased through unregulated marketplaces and their risks to delivery drivers. “Many European countries have integrated e-bikes into their transport and delivery systems through clear rules, strong enforcement and appropriate infrastructure. In addition, the adoption of high-quality e-bikes has been boosted by targeted subsidies and incentives. In the UK, we're lagging behind on numbers and it's a missed opportunity to create a healthier transport system and boost green business,” MP Fabian Hamilton and Chair of the APPGCW told Zag Daily. Read more: https://lnkd.in/en78YtJS 

AtkinsRéalis has become the UK’s first approved drone assessor. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted the consultancy the authority to assess the flightworthiness of commercial drones under the UK’s new Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) framework. “We will be assessing all unmanned aircraft systems that fall under the SORA policy. This covers a wide range of aircraft sizes and complexities, from small commercial drones to large, complex systems with wingspans up to 40 metres, capable of speeds of 200 meters per second,” James Richmond, Head of Advanced Air Mobility at AtkinsRéalis, told Zag Daily. #AAM #ZagAir Read more: https://lnkd.in/eN66d4sM

Cowboy’s connected e-bike outsmarts a London thief in 60 minutes. The Belgian e-bike brand had its anti-theft capabilities put to the test when a member of its own team - Amy G. - had her bike stolen from outside her home. “I couldn’t believe it. My bike was stolen, and less than an hour later I was riding it home. Theft-alerts, real-time tracking, an in-app theft report – it all kicked in seamlessly,” Amy told Zag Daily. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJnETGrK

The Italian city of Bergamo is offering free €100 vouchers for public transport subscribers to use on the city’s bike share service. With its eligibility extended from annual public transport subscribers to monthly season ticket holders, the initiative is financed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. “Bergamo stands out as a best practice. Our close collaboration with ATB in managing the city’s public bike sharing system has led to continuous growth, thanks to a service that is reliable, affordable, and increasingly integrated into public transport. This latest step towards full integration positions Bergamo as a model for sustainable mobility in Italy,” Francesco Tagariello, Account Manager Lead at nextbike which operates Bergamo’s bike share service, told Zag Daily. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eayxKDkD 

Hedi Mardisoo, CEO of insurtech Cachet, is calling for a rethink of rider protection - one where insurance follows the person, not the vehicle. Most riders are still unaware that they could be personally liable for thousands of euros if something goes wrong, she explains. Even in countries with third-party liability mandates, rider injuries and property damage are rarely covered. “As vehicle choice becomes more fluid the gaps in protection become even more visible. In the busier riding season ahead, with cities filling up with multi-modal traffic, personal accountability isn’t just an option, it’s essential for the long-term growth and public trust in micromobility services.” Cachet’s City Rider and Delivery Rider products aim to fix that by acting as personal insurance passports that move with the user across multiple vehicle types and operators. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e96BemPu

In #13 of Zag’s Radar series, Beyond Aero Co-Founder and CEO Eloa Guillotin talks about developing the world’s first hydrogen-electric business aircraft & why market consolidation signals a shift from "hype to execution”. “If anything, I’m more excited now than I was back then. Now we have something that flies — lab results, successful tests, and a design that’s been validated in the real world. Turning a vision into an actual aircraft is incredibly rewarding. Of course, the next phase of getting it certified and commercialised is tough, but it’s also where the work becomes even more meaningful.” #AAM #ZagAir Read more:  https://lnkd.in/eVh898Eh

Apollo and Moonrock Drone Insurance have launched a new insurance facility, offering up to $100 million in liability coverage, which aims to plug the gap in high-value cover for drones, eVTOLs and emerging aviation tech. The facility has been developed in response to a shift in risk profile across the aviation sector. “We were increasingly seeing more risks requiring higher asset values and higher levels of liability. We always anticipated the need arising from the development of passenger operations for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL). But as drone manufacture, use and regulations develop and values and limits increase it was apparent a solution was required very quickly,” Martin Jackson, Class Leader for Aviation at Apollo, told Zag Daily. #AAM #ZagAir Read more: https://lnkd.in/emhtMbQn

The average distance of cycle journeys logged as ‘commutes’ in London exceeds the UK national average, finds Strava. In new data released for Earth Day, the digital fitness platform recorded the average distance of cycle rides labelled as commutes in London last year to be 9.1 kilometres, compared with 8.2 kilometres nationally. “We'd love Strava to use its data analytics so you don't need to even tell the system what type of ride you're doing, because it can work it out…Choosing between commuting or leisure/fitness rides for Strava means we're missing out on a lot of detail on how people in UK cities are increasingly cycling. In that context, it's great to see an increase in London for 'everyday' commuting, but the future for London we're hoping for is not necessarily longer commutes, but more people cycling for all sorts of reasons," London Cycling Campaign Head of Campaigns and Community Development Simon Munk told Zag Daily. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGDPJpve

UK cross-party consensus emerged in yesterday’s Westminster Hall debate as MPs demanded safer infrastructure and national support to protect children walking and cycling to school. Led by Liberal Democrat MP Olly Glover, the debate revealed a long-term decline in active travel among schoolchildren, with 47% walking or cycling to school in 2023 down from 67% in 1975. "From safer crossings and reduced speeds around schools, to better infrastructure and education, there was a clear consensus on the steps we must take to protect vulnerable road users," MP Olly Glover told Zag Daily. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gUM3-yCu 

Zag Daily spotlights three British new mobility startups that made waves at this year’s Everything Electric London expo. Powered by FullyCharged.SHOW & Everything Electric, the three-day event united 21,000 visitors and featured more than 7,000 test drives and rides from electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes. "It's really exciting to be able to show our product to consumers for the first time. The most surprising part is how diverse the participants have been, and it’s lovely to see micromobility resonating in this way. When you see the faces of people riding it, it makes all the hard work worth it," Tatiana Escobar-Peake, Commercial Advisor at CONVOY by MML which exhibited at the event, told Zag Daily. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJATtGDp