CES showcases 6 trends to shape smart cities in 2021

Source: Smart Cities Dive Published: January 20th, 2021

The start of a new year can serve as an opportunity to reinvigorate local governments. As some cities dive into new fiscal budgets, others undergo yearly planning — and this year, all cities are bracing for a fresh start under the Biden-Harris presidential administration. 

The turn of the calendar also signals the time for CES, an annual showcase of technological and forward-looking innovation. On the heels of the all-digital CES 2021, Smart Cities Dive has identified six core trends that experts said are expected to influence the smart city space in the year ahead.

1. Personally-owned electric bikes will continue to grow in popularity

Cities saw a surge in cycling at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as residents and commuters actively avoided public transit due to health concerns. Bike sales skyrocketed to nearly 75% over 2019 numbers, and experts predict that demand — particularly for electric bikes — will continue in 2021.

As cities increasingly prioritize transportation electrification, the electric bike market is bracing for a boom. In 2019, 3.7 million e-bikes sold globally, with a trajectory to reach 10 million annual sales by 2024, Forbes reports. In fact, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which oversees the production of CES, included electric bikes in its annual trends forecast for the first time this year. 

A number of smart city vendors are also racing to provide the infrastructure and resources needed to support an urban e-bike boom. Atlanta-based startup Parkent Cycles, for instance, has developed e-bike charging and parking stations to alleviate riders’ range anxiety, while a pair of micromobility vets recently launched Ridepanda, an online marketplace for e-bikes and other forms of personal, electric mobility.

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Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash