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April 14, 2023
In recent years, electric bikes, or e-bikes, have become a popular mode of transportation. A standout feature of this movement is the potential to reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion in populous cities. As a result, we are seeing organizations, teams and events being built around this new transportation trend, such as the FIM EBK World Cup.
EBK, the new e-bike racing series set to launch this summer, is poised to revolutionize the world of e-bike racing and promote sustainability and gender equality in sports and beyond. The event will feature a team-based format that includes women and men riders, promoting “micro-mobility, social sustainability and gender-equal racing.”
British Olympic Gold Medallist and Series ambassador Ed Clancy emphasized that the project is not just about entertainment. “We are creating a new sport that will see men and women racing in parity and… encourage more people to embrace sustainable ways to move around, especially in cities. I am thrilled to be involved with the potential and purpose that EBK promises.”
EBK’s organizers are championing the widespread adoption of e-bikes as a clean mobility option, encouraging more people to embrace sustainable ways of moving around, particularly in urban environments. The series highlights environmental concerns and promotes the use of e-bikes while simultaneously minimizing its carbon footprint. “The majority of event operations and services will be fulfilled by local businesses in host cities,” says EBK. “This serves not only to reduce the CO2 emissions of the event team but will result in host city fees being reinvested into the local economy.”
The unique focus on sustainability and gender equality, combined with its plan to minimize its carbon footprint, makes EBK a promising addition to the growing number of events promoting clean mobility and environmental responsibility. EBK seeks to position itself as a sort of e-bike version of Extreme E, raising environmental concerns but championing the adoption of e-bikes in everyday life rather than electric cars.
The proposed format will include six to ten teams and a field of 30 to 50 riders in a 10-round series in city center locations. Each event will be a 60-minute criterium-style race on closed public roads that include ‘Power Zones’, steep temporary ramps that will require strategic energy use to climb over them. Teams will run with three male and three female riders, split into separate races but with all riders scoring equal points in their respective races to create an overall team championship score.
The series will not only showcase the talent and skill of riders, but it will also promote the potential of e-bikes as a “Sustainable Transformative Mobility programme”, showcasing the importance of using renewable energy sources and aiming to lead by example. By encouraging sustainable living, EBK racing can contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet.
Cycling outlet, T3, noted that according to early reports each of the host cities will have to agree to work towards delivering local urban transport projects to promote greener and more sustainable lifestyle choices.
EBK is set to launch exhibition events in London this year, with an international calendar of competitive races planned for 2024. The series’ calendar will be announced soon, and organizers also plan to reveal more details about the race format, teams, competitors and the BMC race bike.
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