Combining cycling with ferry services seems like an efficient and exciting way to expand route options, but how do ferry operators plan to accommodate the inevitable surge in demand for bike spaces when electric bikes become the norm?
With e-bikes now accounting for an increasingly large share of the cycling market, its only a matter of time before they become the dominant form of bicycle on ferries, and yet current bike storage facilities on most ferries seem woefully inadequate for the task.
Are ferry operators simply going to adopt a turn up and hope for the best approach, forcing cyclists to gamble on whether there will be space for their bike on a given sailing, or are there concrete plans in place to increase capacity and cater for the specific needs of e-bike users?
Furthermore, what provision is being made for the charging of e-bikes on board ferries, given that many e-bike owners rely on being able to top up their batteries at regular intervals in order to complete their journeys?
Its also worth noting that the trend towards e-bikes shows no signs of slowing, with many cyclists opting for the increased range and reduced fatigue that they offer, so its surely only a matter of time before the issue of e-bike capacity on ferries becomes a major headache for operators and cyclists alike.
Will ferry operators be taking steps to future-proof their services by investing in dedicated e-bike storage facilities and charging points, or will they simply be playing catch-up as the popularity of e-bikes continues to grow?
With e-bikes now accounting for an increasingly large share of the cycling market, its only a matter of time before they become the dominant form of bicycle on ferries, and yet current bike storage facilities on most ferries seem woefully inadequate for the task.
Are ferry operators simply going to adopt a turn up and hope for the best approach, forcing cyclists to gamble on whether there will be space for their bike on a given sailing, or are there concrete plans in place to increase capacity and cater for the specific needs of e-bike users?
Furthermore, what provision is being made for the charging of e-bikes on board ferries, given that many e-bike owners rely on being able to top up their batteries at regular intervals in order to complete their journeys?
Its also worth noting that the trend towards e-bikes shows no signs of slowing, with many cyclists opting for the increased range and reduced fatigue that they offer, so its surely only a matter of time before the issue of e-bike capacity on ferries becomes a major headache for operators and cyclists alike.
Will ferry operators be taking steps to future-proof their services by investing in dedicated e-bike storage facilities and charging points, or will they simply be playing catch-up as the popularity of e-bikes continues to grow?