U.S. sales of e-bikes nearly doubled in just one year as commuters looked for accessible and affordable modes of transportation. If you’re considering one, here’s what you should know by Elaina Zachos
Nearly everything we do contributes to our carbon footprint. But a two-wheeled solution is zipping through the world at 20 miles an hour.
Sales of electric bikes, or e-bikes, are on the rise.
In 2021, more than 880,000 e-bikes were sold in the U.S., compared with 608,000 electric cars and trucks. That’s up from 450,000 e-bike sales in 2020. Cities, counties, and states are implementing e-bike rebate programs to respond to growing demand. And as commuters look for more sustainable and accessible ways to travel, many are asking if e-bikes are the solution.
“People just find that [e-bikes are] fun,” says Jennifer Dill of Portland State University’s Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC). “I don’t think we can undersell how that can motivate people.”
How do e-bikes work?
E-bikes have the same components as your traditional, so-called acoustic bicycles: frames, seats, handlebars, and wheels. They differ in their power and speed.
The speed of a non-electric bike relies on the rider’s physical strength and endurance. Casual cyclists can pedal at 10 to 14 miles per hour, depending on the terrain and weight of the bike and the rider.
E-bikes, however, are fueled by batteries, making them heavier. Some models have a pedal assist system with a motor to amplify pedaling power, while others have a throttle and don’t require pedaling. The max speed an e-bike can reach is 28 miles per hour, which is comparable to moped speeds.
“[An e-bike] splits the difference between a car commute and a regular bicycle commute,” says Wake Gregg, founder of The eBike Store in Portland, Oregon.
E-bikes have either hub-drive motors or mid-drive motors. Attached at the back of the bike, hub motors are simple, durable, and affordable but inefficient at higher speeds. Mid-drive motors, mounted in the center of the bike, can handle a wider range of torque and speed but are expensive and difficult to maintain.
Because e-bikes can go faster, they require more safety precautions than traditional bikes.
“You’re going to be moving faster than cars think you will. They may not see you,” says Gregg. When stopped at red lights and intersections, he recommends cyclists look at the front wheels of cars to ensure they’re not headed in the biker’s direction.
Safe e-bikes cost thousands of dollars, providing a huge obstacle for some would-be riders. Many jurisdictions have started following the lead of cities like Denver, which launched an e-bike rebate program in 2022, to reduce costs. The proposed E-BIKE Act would provide a nationwide $1,500 tax credit for e-bikes.
Read the full article on National Geographic here.
