When the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), the esteemed organization behind the world's oldest annual marathon, sought a sustainable solution to transport their staff during the marathon weekend, they turned to Velotric. Faced with traffic congestion around Boston and committed to sustainability, the B.A.A. found Velotric e-bikes to be the perfect fit for enabling their staff to work efficiently and dependably during the week.
Pilot Test: Velotric e-Bikes tested by the Bike Spotter Team at the Boston Half Marathon
This decision was backed by a successful pilot test at the Boston Half Marathon in November 2023. The B.A.A. embarked on a pioneering initiative to enhance event logistics by using Velotric e-bikes in the bike spotting operations. The integration aimed not only to facilitate mobility but also to set a new benchmark in sustainable event management.
Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the B.A.A., noted: "We wanted to test on a smaller scale and basis in support of our cycling team in ways which would enable them to perform their duties while minimizing factors such as fatigue. Expert and cooperative service from Velotric, technical/product reliability and real-life scenario testing give our organization the best opportunity to make future decisions on how we may look at broader e-bike implementation.”
Two Velotric e-bike models were used by bike spotters to track half marathon runners, including both Wheelchair division and mass runners. Both models performed exceptionally well despite the cold weather, with temperatures as low as 23 degrees Farenheit. The Discover 1 covered 37 miles, showcasing its long-range capabilities, while the T1 ST managed 19 miles with 40% battery left, proving suitable for frequent stops and starts in dense areas. These e-bikes enabled spotters to maintain speed over longer durations, even on hills, making their tasks less physically taxing and reduced sweating. This allowed the spotters to take on more duties efficiently.
Boston Marathon Week: how e-Bikes lmproved Operation Efficiency
Following the successful pilot at the half marathon, the B.A.A. decided to utilize Velotric e-bikes for the operations of the 128th Boston Marathon. Staff used these e-bikes to navigate efficiently between various race-related locations, including the pre-race expo, finish line, headquarters hotel, and fan festival at City Hall Plaza.
Jack highlighted the role that Velotric e-bikes played during the marathon week:
"Though Boston is a mid-sized city, individual travel from one section of the city to another during marathon week, with all of the traffic, is time-consuming. The e-bikes proved to be a quick and effective solution for several key staff to get around and perform their work in the final stage of race preparation when every minute counts."
Adam Zhang, Co-Creator and Founder of Velotric, encapsulates this commitment:
“At Velotric, we are proud to provide a number of electric bike units for B.A.A. staff to commute to and from race day events, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional transportation methods. As we focus on safety, reliability, and efficiency, our e-bikes are the ideal solution for navigating Boston's bustling streets and contributing to a greener, cleaner city.”
Velotric e-bikes complemented the B.A.A.'s commitment to continuous improvement of race day operations for one of the world's most prominent sporting events. Velotric’s involvement in the operation highlights their interest and dedication to providing innovative solutions for top-tier events.