IEE project Contract N°: IEE/12/856/SI2.644759

Promoting electrical bikes and scooters for delivery of goods and passenger transport in urban areas

Report from Regional Dissemination Seminar WP 7; D.7.4

Location: , Zagrebška street 106, Date: 24 th March 2016

Authors: Stanislav Sraka Katja Karba Razvojna agencija Sinergija Development Agency Sinergija

March 2016

PRO-E-BIKE

Introduction

Razvojna agencija Sinergija / Development Agency Sinergija organized in cooperation with the Post of Slovenia a Seminar on the possibilities of using electric bicycles to deliver the goods, as a closing event of the PRO-E-BIKE project. The seminar was held on Thursday, 24 March 2016 in the premises of the Postal- logistics center in Maribor, Zagrebška street 106.

The seminar was aimed primarily at business potential beneficiaries electric bicycles and local, regional and national decision-makers, who daily participate in the adoption of policies at different levels of decision-making, with main aim, that they realize the importance of delivery with electric bikes in the development of sustainable urban mobility. In addition to the above mentioned target groups, the seminar was dedicated also to others who are interested in the topic.

During the seminar we presented in the framework of the PRO-E-BIKE project developed simulation tool and key results of the project, with a view to demonstrate to companies and cities in an easy and understandable way, that the delivery of electric bikes has a positive impact on reducing emissions and better air quality while it is also economically viable.

The topics addressed during the seminar: • Presentation of the key results of the project PRO-E-BIKE (Sinergija) • Presentation of pilot projects in Slovenia: Experience and findings of the pilot companies involved in delivery of using e-bikes (Sinergija) • Mail delivery by electric bikes - experience and findings of the Slovenian Post (Slovenian Post) • Presentation of the municipality in the role of pilot city project PRO-E- BIKE (Municipality Moravske Toplice) • Experience and findings related to the use of electric bicycle (Smart House Martjanci) • Presentation of PRO-E-BIKE simulation tool (Sinergija) • Advantages of using electric bicycles, impacts on operations, a recommendation to other companies as regards the introduction of electric bicycles and scooters (Slovenian Post) • Visiting the Logistics center of Slovenian Post.

During the coffee break has evolved an interesting debate, which led to proposals on new collaborations between participants, new partnerships.

The sole responsibility for the content of this report lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EACI nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. 2

PRO-E-BIKE

The seminar was attended by 32 participants. Each participant received by the registration the PRO-E-BIKE Information box with included Information tool, project leaflet, PRO-E-BIKE USB key and uploaded Simulation tool.

The seminar was great opportunity for interested companies, municipalities and other interested organizations and individuals, to meet the benefits, advantages and disadvantages of using e-bikes and e-scooters; to gain new knowledge; to exchange experiences and opinions and to establish new collaborations, partnerships.

The sole responsibility for the content of this report lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EACI nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. 3

PRO-E-BIKE

The sole responsibility for the content of this report lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EACI nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. 4

1. Contents

Introduction ...... 2 2. Reaching the target groups ...... 6 3. Structure of participants ...... 8 4. Concept of the seminar ...... 9 5. Conclusions ...... 9 6. Annex ...... 13

2. Reaching the target groups

Representatives of target groups were invited to a seminar in different ways: some by phone calls, some by personal invitations but most of them by mailing channels.

a) The invitation to the seminar was sent through mailing list of Razvojna agencija Sinergija to invite all the interested contacts. The invitation was sent to 976 e-mail addresses.

b) The invitation to the seminar was published on facebook site of Razvojna agencija Sinergija:

3. Structure of participants

Participants of the seminar were representatives of different companies, municipalities and local communities, who are considering the introduction or expansion of e-bikes and other forms of e- vehicles in their fleets. The seminar attended also individuals who are considering the purchase and use of e-bikes for private purposes.

The participants were for example representatives of:

• Municipality of Maribor, • Municipality of Moravske Toplice, • Slovenian Post, • ENERGAP – Energy Agency of Podravje, • LEA Pomurje – Local Energy Agency Pomurje, • Bistra hiša Martjanci - Smart house Martjanci, • many other interested participants.

4. Concept of the seminar

The regional dissemination seminar was great closing event, attended by 32 participants from different target groups. The participants had the opportunity to discuss the topics with experts, representatives of involved pilot companies which have tested the e-bikes and e-scooters, gain new knowledge, exchange experiences and establish new forms of cooperation.

At the seminar were discussed following topics and content: • Presentation of the key results of the project PRO-E-BIKE (Sinergija) • Presentation of pilot projects in Slovenia: Experience and findings of the pilot companies involved in delivery of using e-bikes (Sinergija) • Mail delivery by electric bikes - experience and findings of the Slovenian Post (Slovenian Post) • Presentation of the municipality Moravske Toplice in the role of pilot city project PRO-E- BIKE (Municipality Moravske Toplice) • Experience and findings related to the use of electric bicycle (Smart House Martjanci) • Presentation of PRO-E-BIKE simulation tool (Sinergija) • Advantages of using electric bicycles, impacts on operations, a recommendation to other companies as regards the introduction of electric bicycles and scooters (Slovenian Post) • Visiting the Logistics center of Slovenian Post.

For the introduction of e-bikes were especially interested representatives of the Municipality of Maribor, which is one of the largest Slovenian municipalities. But interest for the simulation tool and use of e-bikes was also shown by some small entrepreneurs, acting in urban area.

Pictures of the event:

5. Conclusions

The seminar was very successful, and great evidence of that was the high turnout and active participation - involvement of participants in the debate. It turns out that the addressed topics were very interesting.

A key finding at the conclusion of the seminar was that both; businesses and municipalities are increasingly interested in replacement of classic vehicles on fossil fuels with environmentally more acceptable, affordable, more effective and attractive electric vehicles.

Some participants also exchanged contacts during the seminar and agreed on further cooperation.

6. Annex

Media coverage

a) Article appeared on regional web portal www.gorickilist.si

b) 1st article appeared on regional web portal www.sobotainfo.com

c) 2nd article appeared on regional web portal www.sobotainfo.com

d) Article appeared on web portal of LAG Goričko ( www.las-goricko.si )

a) Article appeared on web portal of LAG Pri dobrih ljudeh ( www.las-pridobrihljudeh.si )

Participant list

Invitation (with agenda)

Presentations