Pretty much everyone and their dog has an opinion on the matter.
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Startups and industry experts from far and wide opened up to TNW to share their thoughts.
Given the current economic climate, it was doomed to fail, chimed some of the respondents.
Bastian Dietz of the Cycling Innovation Accelerator says he saw it coming.
They bit off more than they could chew, he adds.
Overall, VanMoof customers were becoming increasinglydissatisfiedwith the product and the service.
If they mount to a point of pushing a business into the red, theres no going back.
In lean times, most businesses give a shot to consolidate their existing markets.
What can the industry learn?
The digital components are located outside the frame in a removable single pack which includes the battery.
The bike can be serviced anywhere and is ridable all the time, said the startup.
For now, Cowboy hasdeveloped an appto keep VanMoofers on the road.
There are still many unanswered questions on how Vanmoofs insurance or servicing operations will carry on.
Its customers include the likes of Swedish electric dirt bike maker CAKE.
According to Godrey, banks are increasingly scrutinising the circularity of a product before underwriting loans, too.
What happens now?
One in every four bikes sold in Europe last year was electric.
While demand is not showing any signs of slowing down, investor appetite might.
Across the VC landscape capital funding in Europe isplummetingas investors shift focus from growth to cost-cutting.
Ebikes are so popular because they offer a quick, accessible, sustainable mode of transport.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
