Ebikes are no longer a rare sight on my commute

[ebikemom]

I got my bike in late April 2018. At that time, I hardly ever saw an ebike when commuting 25 miles round-trip. Maybe one? Maybe three? Maybe none?

One year later, I see LOTS of ebikes on my commute. I've given up trying to count them.

It's a big change! I'm wondering ... will bike paths get crowded? How will this impact city streets? My hope is that with more and more and more ebikes, cities and towns will see that they need to build INFRASTRUCTURE for cycling to separate bikes from cars. I think at some point drivers are going to start demanding cycling infrastructure.

Happy ebiking! We're part of a growing movement! Let's keep up the good work!!!

 

[The duke]

Same here in suburban SoCal. Actually makes me a little sad. When I, the upper-middle-aged, out of shape old man would zoom past thin, muscled road bikers tricked out with the best gear on my ebike. It used to blow their minds and they'd race to try and keep up with me to get a better look. Now, they don't even flinch. Seeing their jaws drop....those were the good ol' days.

 

[Ian Moone]

Only a few here in my community, besides mine. Mostly what I see are the little 66cc and 80cc 2cycle Beater bikes ... Not really a fan of those since they're too noisy lol.

 

[DaveMatthews]

On Monday evening this week I drove to band practice. On the way I counted 9 bikes, and 4 of them were ebikes!
So yes, much higher percentage than last year!

 

[ez3putt]

120 miles mostly in SW Florida and have only seen ONE other ebike. Went on a sixteen mile ride a couple of days ago all on a multi use trail. I only saw about six other bikers. Two were spandexters that did not even acknowledge my nod and wave as we met. Most bikers here have gone back up north for the summer.

 

[elliot friedman]

In the city they pulled the Citi ebikes because of braking problems, however, I've seen much more ebikes around the city in the past few months than I've seen in the past couple of years.
The 5 Borough Bike Tour is even allowing class I ebikes to enter, never before. The excursion is 40 miles so either carry an extra battery or choose your assistance wisely.
The $110 standard fee and the $350 VIP entrance fee are sold out. Perhaps some other time.

 

[batmick1]

I can confirm what The Duke is saying. Northern San Diego County, I have been doing my commute over 18 miles along the coast by bike for over 10 years now and over the last year or so noticed a significant increase in the number of regulars I encounter. Most of them are on e-bikes. And even some other long time commuters have made the transition, like myself.

 

[Ian Moone]

I agree, I see a lot more ebikes these days.

But did you guys find that bike path getting more crowded? Or the numbers of bikes stayed the same and just conventional bikes getting replace with ebikes? At this point it's a bit hard to tell.

My local path is less than a half mile from my apt, and when I ride it I find it's usually Void of Any ebikes Other than mine. I'm not sure if it's that people are afraid to take ebikes on our trail, Or maybe they think they'll be chased off. Many joggers and pedestrians use it as well, so I Always exercise Courtesy. ?

 

[NatPedaler]

Yup, the rate of ebike adoption has been drastically increased in the BayArea.

 

[Dewey]

I do notice more ebikes in Arlington, VA, & on my University campus in downtown Washington, DC, this spring I see 6 ebike commuters regularly parking at the racks where there were 2 this time last year, but this year I also see many more electric unicycles, skateboards, and scooters. I anticipate ebike numbers should rise now Maryland has adopted the 3-Class ebike legislation to take effect October 1, NOVA Parks last month lifted its ebike trail ban, and Arlington County is talking about lifting its ebike trail ban in November.

 

[PDoz]

The 5 Borough Bike Tour is even allowing class I ebikes to enter, never before. The excursion is 40 miles so either carry an extra battery or choose your assistance wisely.
The $110 standard fee and the $350 VIP entrance fee are sold out. Perhaps some other time.

Ebike group rides are now a reality. A few months back, there was an organised emtb ride in victoria ( australia) with a limit of 100 bikes - they sold out in a couple of days!

 

[jstoffel]

In western WI...saw one old guy on an ebike but thats about it. I hope to get mine soon and maybe start a trend!

 

[pnop]

I've seen two total. That's is a total for ever. I saw one guy with a home built recumbent and one guy that didn't appear to be local.

 

[Cowlitz]

I know for sure there are now at least FOUR ebikes in town. Saw and talked briefly to a kid on a Pedego today. He came up the big hill behind me, I guess. Purty exciting, that.

 

[Camac]

I have a bit to do with a recreational cycle group and of the 60 to 80 who turn up each Wednesday morning I'd say 75% are on ebikes. My "scenic" group (read slowest but we still get along 18 to 20Ks per hour) the other day had 12 riders and 11 were on ebikes. Can't comment on the number of ebikes commuting, they're all at work when we start riding at 9.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Camac, where are you? Impressive numbers!

 

[ebikemom]

Our local bicycle club allows ebikes on rides. I've never been, though (I work full time, and weekends? Kid-busy!), but I do wonder how many participants are ebikers!

 

[DouglasB]

It's the same as owning a Volvo, once you own one, you see them everywhere.

 

[bob armani]

I got my bike in late April 2018. At that time, I hardly ever saw an ebike when commuting 25 miles round-trip. Maybe one? Maybe three? Maybe none?

One year later, I see LOTS of ebikes on my commute. I've given up trying to count them.

It's a big change! I'm wondering ... will bike paths get crowded? How will this impact city streets? My hope is that with more and more and more ebikes, cities and towns will see that they need to build INFRASTRUCTURE for cycling to separate bikes from cars. I think at some point drivers are going to start demanding cycling infrastructure.

Happy ebiking! We're part of a growing movement! Let's keep up the good work!!!

Yes, same here in the Midwest on a lot of the Chicago bike paths and rails to trails. This year I have seen more than ever popping up here and there (within the last 3 years or so).