The number of cyclists opting for an e-bicycle, or a pedelec, in the Netherlands has risen to one million in 2012, according to a survey by the Fietsberaad, the Dutch Cycling Council.

While the Netherlands is renowned for its use of the two-wheeled form of transport, it has only recently become clear how many cyclists choose to ride an e-bike due to statistics not distinguishing between electricity-aided and normal bicycles.

Senior citizens
Some 10 percent of seniors over the age of 60 have been shown to make use of the pedelec, which enhances the cyclists pressure on the pedals electrically. One quarter of all transport conducted by bicycle in this age group is now done on an e-bike.

Significantly, the number of kilometres cycled on an electric bike remains the same as the cyclist gets older, whereas on a regular bicycle this distance naturally decreases.

Female cyclists
The number of kilometres cycled by people over the age of 60 has increased sizeably between the period of 2000 to 2010, but the increase in distance cycled by female cyclists in this age group has risen by 50 percent.

Though the population of senior citizens has also increased during this period, the survey points to the advent of the pedelec as a further cause.

The average number of kilometres cycled on an e-bike per week was revealed to be 31, much higher than that of a normal bicycle at 18 kilometres. However, despite this, the average speed on a pedelec was 18,7 km/h, well below the vehicles limit of 25 km/h.