Transportation Consumer Insights

Trend - Electric bicycle manufacturers are using bamboo in place of aluminum for frames to improve sustainability. Bamboo is lightweight and malleable for bike frames, while also being biodegradable. By using bamboo, brands are aiming to reduce their carbon footprints and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.

Insight - Each year, more consumers turn to electric micro-mobility solutions rather than gas-powered vehicles. This is often due to rising costs of gas, dense traffic, and environmental concerns. This has led to an increased amount of micromobility repair stores, as well as increased development of public charging infrastructure to mitigate battery constraints. In recognition of this environmental trend, bike brands are furthering their sustainability by turning to materials such as wood and bamboo.

Trend - Electric bike brands are launching foldable cargo bikes to blend portability with function. These bikes have high payload capacities but are not overly cumbersome. These bikes are designed as vehicle replacements for urban commuters due to the versatility of the hybrid design.

Insight - Younger consumers in cities and urban environments often find that vehicle ownership comes with an array of stressors stemming from maintenance fees, parking costs, and traffic, amongst others. The micro-mobility industry aims to address these concerns, offering scooters and bikes with features designed to avoid the root cause of the aforementioned stressors. Consumers are gravitating toward products that are designed with city environments and these stressors in mind.

Trend - Electric bicycle manufacturers are creating new e-bike models designed specifically for children under the age of 13. These bikes have simple controls, low max speeds, and extensive safety features, as they are designed to help new young riders familiarize themselves with e-bikes.

Insight - Training children to be able to perform regular everyday tasks, such as tieing shoes or riding a bike, can be challenging for some parents. Some parents struggle with approaching training from a methodological standpoint, and instead gravitate toward products that can make training far easier, investing in informative books or physical aids such as training wheels. Brands are modernizing the bike training process for the modern influx of e-bikes.

Trend - E-bike and battery manufacturers are creating wireless charging solutions for convenience and durability. These components have fewer moving parts, require less maintenance, and are intuitive for new riders, lowering the barrier-to-entry for e-bike adoption.

Insight - As electric bicycle adoption continues to rapidly accelerate in North America, Europe, and Asia, companies are continually trying to get ahead of industry trends and meet demands early. One of the reasons customers are drawn to e-bikes is convenience. These bikes require less work than manual bikes to ride, though they require more maintenance to care for the battery and components. In addressing this, brands are launching wireless chargers for e-bikes that enhance convenience.

Trend - Brands are releasing smart inflation devices in ultra-portable form factors. These inflators provide instant support for bikes, cars, and inflatables without requiring wall connectivity. These also include smart pressure indicators, making them easy to use without prior experience.

Insight - The micro-mobility space continues to grow in popularity with the modern consumer. Electric bikes and scooters offer a level of convenience beyond that of a traditional bike or full-sized car due to the ease of use, low entry-cost, and ease of maintenance. However, consumers are still often faced with maintenance challenges, such as stuck chains or deflated tires. As a result, these consumers are investing in ultra-portable service kits as reliable contingency plans.

Trend - eBike manufacturers are releasing bikes equipped with generative artificial intelligence (AI) to make riders experiences more streamlined. These AI enable hands-free navigation, media control, and physical bike adjustments, such as seat height. These AI enhance safety and comfort for riders.

Insight - eBike manufacturers often hold to rapid release schedules, with several quarterly or seasonal releases each year. Manufacturers in this space continue to innovate, offering unanticipated features in trying to capture the ever-growing micro-mobility market. On the other hand, customers in this space are drawn to products with high safety and performance ratings without compromising on price or convenience. These consumers are willing to try new features to have a better experience.

Trend - Brands in the micro-mobility space have begun using hydraulic braking mechanisms in e-bikes and e-scooters. These brakes are more expensive than standard mechanical brakes but are safer and more reliable when braking at high speeds, which are more often achieved by e-bikes and e-scooters.

Insight - Traditional bike consumers are familiar with maintenance and small repairs on their bikes. However, consumers drawn to e-bikes and e-scooters are more motivated by convenience and are less willing to perform maintenance to ensure the bike is in perfect working order. These consumers are willing to pay larger premiums upfront to not spend on maintenance costs downstream, leading to brands using premium alternatives for components that are more prone to fail.

Trend - E-bikes are inherently less sustainable than traditional bikes as they include motors and batteries. Brands are responding to this with bikes made out of vegan and sustainable materials, effectively surmounting these concerns for those interested in purchasing e-bikes.

Insight - Sustainability and animal cruelty are prevalent concerns in the e-bike market, as premium bikes are often adorned with animal leather seats, handlebars, and accents. Traditional bikes are the first choice for vegan customers looking for travel that suits their lifestyles. While e-bikes offer countless features that traditional bikes do not, these e-bikes need to incorporate materials that suit eco-friendly and vegan lifestyles in order to access this broader market.

Trend - E-bike brands have begun incorporating automatic predictive shifting in bikes. These shifting systems function similarly to an automatic car, removing the need for the rider to change gears manually when accelerating or decelerating manually. This reduces the barrier to entry for e-bikes.

Insight - Consumers that are drawn to electric bicycles prioritize convenience, ease of use, and utility. These bikes offer greater performance than traditional bikes, being more capable of handling difficult terrain while being less physically demanding. The largest barriers to entry for e-bikes are high prices and overbearing features. Customers desire familiar experiences that improve on the convenience of riding a bike, rather than products that convolute the riding experience.

Trend - Architectural and automotive brands are leveraging solid-state battery technology for its improved capacities, reduced weights, and improved safety rates over traditional liquid electrolyte batteries. This technology improves convenience for consumers while reducing climate impacts.

Insight - One of the largest barriers to consumers venturing into electric transportation stems from safety and capacity concerns. Regular batteries are heavy and often have lower range than gas-powered vehicles, leading to the desire for more efficient, lighter-weight batteries that charge more quickly. On the architectural side, customers desire safe, reliable electric power supplies that deliver energy without the potential to explode or preemptively run out of fuel.