New research shows interest in e-bikes is increasing in this County Kildare town

New research has shown that an interest in e-bikes is greatly on the rise in one County Kildare town.

The findings come from TrailBlazers.ie, which focuses on cycling and outdoor adventure products, and the website reveals which Irish towns are leading the charge when it comes to e-bike interest.

According to website: "Over the past decade, there has been a significant shift in focus for Irish transportation, with the Irish government investing over €1 Billion in active travel infrastructure since 2020."

The findings of the study placed Lucan, County Dublin at the top of the list, followed by Dublin City in second place and Cork City in third.

Lucan, which is one of the countries largest commuter towns, scored 679 from a possible 800.

The research also highlights how interest is growing in smaller, commuter towns like Dundalk, Drogheda, Swords, Naas and Portlaoise.

Conversely, there is less interest in the West of the Country, with only Ennis ranking appearing on the list.

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Commenting on the latest trend, Gerard, Head Bike Specialist and Mechanic at TrailBlazers.ie, said: "There's a whole host of benefits when it comes to swapping to an e-bike and leaving the car at home: you're increasing the amount of physical activity you're getting in per day; you're reducing your carbon footprint; and you'll save yourself a few bob in the long run.

He added: "I think one thing we've garnered here is that there is a huge demand for sustainable transport options in Ireland at the moment, now we just need the infrastructure to support it... if you have a look at the West of Ireland, there is less interest there compared to the rest of the country, but as infrastructure such as the Blueway and Rothar Roads grow, so does the interest."

The website also had this to say about the latest research: "The latest traffic restrictions in Dublin City Centre highlights the new normal as people move out of the car and onto the bike, but is it for everyone?

"TrailBlazers.ie conducted an extensive analysis of Google searches for eight different key search terms over a five-year period, aiming to pinpoint where exactly in Ireland has been showing the most signs of interest in this new breed of transport.

"The research examined terms such as 'e bike', 'electric bike', and popular brands like 'Surron' and 'Fiido'."

"There has been a surge in interest, with a staggering 188 per cent increase in searches for electric bikes since January 2020 on," the TrailBlazers.ie concluded.