E-bikes are wooing Americans

E-Bikes Are Growing in Popularity, But There’s Room for Improvement

Though the e-bike market in the U.S. is much smaller compared to Europe or China, the trend is shifting as more Americans begin to recognize the benefits of e-bikes. Consequently, the U.S. e-bike market is starting to experience a long-overdue boom.

Tracking e-bike sales in the U.S. can be tricky due to the lack of specific Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes for e-bikes. Often, importers label them differently or classify them as parts or toys. The chart below shows estimates of e-bike sales across different regions, with projections for 2018 from Pike Research.

One factor influencing the market is the rising average price of e-bikes. Over the past few years, advancements in battery life, design, and overall quality have made modern e-bikes more reliable. Customers are now willing to spend between $2,500 and $3,500 on a dependable e-bike.

U.S. bicycle retailers have begun targeting an older but active demographic, a strategy that European retailers have used successfully for years. Baby boomers, aged 52 to 70 as of 2016, make up about 25% of Americans. Many enjoy cycling but struggle with physical limitations like knee pain or asthma. The electric motor in e-bikes can help these riders by reducing the effort required to pedal and minimizing strain on the heart.

Another group showing interest in e-bikes is younger Americans living in large cities. They prefer biking over driving due to the convenience and cost savings associated with avoiding car ownership—no insurance, parking fees, or maintenance costs.

Despite all these advantages, e-bikes haven’t caught on as widely as they could. What’s holding them back?

Challenges Facing the E-Bike Market in the U.S.

One reason the U.S. e-bike market lags behind Europe and China is cultural differences. In Europe and China, bicycles are viewed as transportation tools, whereas in the U.S., they’re often seen as fitness equipment or recreational items. Since e-bikes are designed to make cycling easier, they don’t appeal to fitness enthusiasts, who dominate the U.S. cycling market. Retailers consequently have little incentive to stock or promote e-bikes, limiting their visibility.

E-bikes also face an unfair stereotype as “bicycles for lazy people.” Yet, statistics show that e-bike riders actually tend to cycle more than those on regular bikes. Even when feeling tired, riders are more likely to opt for an e-bike ride than a car drive due to the reduced fatigue from electric assistance. This suggests that the perception of e-bikes as lazy tools is largely unfounded.

Cycling infrastructure plays a crucial role in promoting bicycle use. Well-developed infrastructure in Europe and Asia encourages people to leave their cars behind. While U.S. cities are catching up, improvements in cycling infrastructure and policies are gradually making biking safer and more appealing.

There’s also confusion around how e-bikes should be regulated. While a federal law signed in 2002 exempted e-bikes with top speeds under 20 mph and motors under 750 watts from motor vehicle licensing requirements, some states have chosen to impose stricter rules. Cities like New York have even banned e-bikes altogether, citing safety concerns. For instance, New York state requires registration for e-bikes similar to motorcycles or cars.

As these barriers diminish over time, e-bike adoption rates in the U.S. are expected to rise.

Popular Uses for E-Bikes

Commuting

Did you know that most Americans live within 13 miles of their workplace, a distance easily covered by an e-bike in about 22 minutes? For these short commutes, e-bikes are perfect. They’re faster and cheaper than driving a car, offering energy efficiency equivalent to 300 to 700 miles per gallon depending on the model. Plus, they require minimal maintenance and storage space, ideal for urban environments. Some models even fold down for easy storage in apartments or car trunks. Notable models include the Rad Power RadCity, Faraday Porteur, Gocycle G3, Kalkhoff Sahel Compact Impulse, and Stromer ST1.

Delivery Services

Urban courier and food delivery services already favor bikes because they’re quick, portable, and low-maintenance. Upgrading to e-bikes could expand their service areas, increase delivery speed, and reduce costs. E-bikes can handle heavier loads without exhausting the rider, enabling more deliveries per trip. Popular cargo e-bikes include the Xtracycle EdgeRunner, Rad Power Bikes RadWagon, and Daymak Florence.

Transportation Systems

Bike-sharing programs like New York’s Citibike, Washington D.C.’s Capital Bikeshare, and Chicago’s Divvy are becoming integral parts of urban transportation. One downside is that bikes move slower than cars, creating potential safety issues. Electrifying these fleets could enhance their popularity and improve overall road safety. Faster-moving e-bikes could compete with other public transport options in cities. Notable models include the Rad Power RadWagon, Elby Bike, Stromer ST1, and Easy Motion Evo Eco Lite.

Making the Switch to an E-Bike

Switching from a regular bike to an e-bike is straightforward. The main difference is the motor, which is accompanied by a bulky battery usually placed on the frame or over the rear wheel. Most e-bikes come with an LCD display and controller to manage the motor output or pedal-assist levels. Some models feature a motorcycle-style twist-grip shifter for adjusting motor power.

Before purchasing, it’s advisable to take an e-bike for a test ride to ensure it meets your needs. E-bikes are generally heavier and less agile than standard bikes, affecting handling and braking. Many e-bikes are equipped with disc brakes to handle the extra weight from the battery and motor. If you're eager to test the bike’s speed, start at lower power settings to get accustomed to the ride.

Try pedaling the bike without the motor to see how manageable it is. Due to their heavier weight, some e-bikes can be challenging to pedal manually if the battery dies. Charging times vary, typically taking 2 to 10 hours depending on the motor wattage and battery capacity. Commonly, e-bikes have motors ranging from 250 to 750 watts and batteries from 150 to 1,500 watt-hours. A basic commuter bike might have a 250-watt motor, while cargo or off-road bikes may require 500 to 700 watts. Battery capacity is critical for determining range; a high-quality city bike with a 450-watt motor and 240-watt-hour battery can travel up to 22 miles at 25 mph with pedal assist.

On the higher end, the Stealth Bomber boasts a staggering 4,500-watt motor, rivaling many dirt bikes, and a 1,500-watt-hour battery that allows it to reach speeds of 50 mph for over 50 miles. However, at these power levels, it’s classified differently and isn’t something you'd encounter on typical rides.

While e-bikes offer numerous advantages, it’s essential to weigh the downsides:

• They’re generally heavy, posing challenges if the battery runs out.
• High-end models can cost over $6,000.
• E-bikes are more complex, making them harder and pricier to maintain.

When considering purchasing an e-bike, ask yourself:

• Do you have space to park or store the bike at both your origin and destination?
• If you live in a multi-story building, do you have access to an elevator or are you prepared to use stairs?
• Are you comfortable pedaling a heavy bike if the battery runs out?