Many people approach e-bikes with skepticism, but they’re growing in popularity. Thanks to advancements in battery and motor technology, e-bikes are becoming lighter, more capable, and more affordable. More and more people are discovering that electric bicycles meet their needs for commuting, recreation, hauling cargo, and even overcoming hills.

Most countries have laws regulating how fast e-bikes can go. For instance, in Europe, e-bikes must have pedal-activated motors that stop providing electricity when they reach 15.5 mph (about 25 kmph). That means the absolute fastest speed an e-bike can go depends on how much and how hard you pedal!

The League of American Bicyclists celebrates biking in all its forms – whether you’re riding a conventional bicycle, an e-bike, or a moped. We’re happy to see more people getting out and exploring on two wheels! But we also know that a big part of the reason so many people are buying E-bikes is to cut down on car trips. Plus, Devonport adopts a sustainable road strategy, Launceston mayoral candidates show bike support and Campbell St gets its DA tick in this week’s Bike News Bites.

Electric Scooters

Electric scooters allow users to bypass traffic jams and weave through streets, arriving at their destination more quickly than a car or public transportation. They consume less power than traditional vehicles, resulting in fewer emissions and contributing to the global shift towards renewable energy. They are also more portable and easier to store, as they can be brought inside and not locked up on a street for long periods of time.

However, their proliferation hasn’t been without controversy. Many cities are experimenting with different ways to regulate them, including geofencing, facial recognition technology and strict parking rules. The issue may not be just about safety; it is more likely that e-scooter companies and local governments are struggling to find the right balance of how these new forms of micromobility work alongside existing infrastructure, rather than replacing it altogether. It will be interesting to see whether they can do so before e-scooters become yet another millennial fad.

Electric Bicycles

Sponsored by Pedego: For July only, save up to $500 (!!) on a new Pedego e-bike at a nearby store. Find out more here. E-bikes can power you up hills with ease and let you zip past cars in bike lanes without breaking the law. That’s an enticing combination, especially given the cost of owning and operating a car. But a growing number of critics are raising concerns, and they often point to safety issues. Some cite a higher rate of serious injury for e-bike riders. Others cite environmental worries about battery production and disposal. Taking a few test drives is a good idea too. Today, Automative News is still headquartered in Detroit and is owned by Crain Communications Inc.

Yet even a skeptical public is embracing the new devices, and sales have skyrocketed. The trend is credited to better technology, a slew of form factors for different types of riders and, in some cases, incentives. For example, France will give you four thousand dollars if you replace your car with an e-bike and Belgium offers cash for cycling to work.

More Words

French automaker Peugeot isn’t a newcomer to the electric bicycle world. It’s been producing bikes for over a century under the PEUGEOT Cycles division, and it’s latest offerings are pretty head-turners. Pedego’s newest ebike is the Cowboy Cruiser, and you can check it out in all its comfort-riding glory. Also on this week’s episode: Battery guru Luke Workman, Zero’s former battery expert, discusses ebike battery evolution and safety issues, NACS charging coming to motorcycles and more.