Sustainability Spotlight - December 2022 - E-bikes Help Riders Go Further and Faster, Carry Kids and Cargo, and Reduce Pollution

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, look mostly like a regular bike, but have a battery-powered motor activated by pedaling or a throttle to help riders go further and faster than they would on a regular bike. Researchers have found that e-bike riders take longer trips compared to regular cyclists, and often use their e-bikes to replace car trips. Since most trips that Americans make are less than 3 miles, there is great potential for e-bikes to replace car trips and therefore lessen our air and climate pollution. Many e-bike models are also designed to carry cargo - including kids, pets, or groceries - and so make skipping the car trip even more possible.

E-bikes Come In Many Shapes, Sizes, and Price Points

In addition to their sustainability benefits, e-bikes are also just fun to ride, and can help many who may not otherwise be able to ride a bike far distances do so. E-bikes are popular amongst parents with kids, older adults, and adaptive e-bikes and e-tricycles can be great options for people with disabilities. Colorado, along with many other states, classifies e-bikes into three different types, with Class 1 being the most common. In general, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed wherever a regular bike is allowed, though local laws vary. Class 3 e-bikes are typically only allowed on roads, including bike lanes.

There are many e-bike models available today, at a wide range of prices. A typical e-bike costs between $1,000 and $2,500, though online retailers often have lower cost options and e-cargo bikes and higher end e-bikes can often be more expensive. While typically more expensive than online retailers, local bike shops often carry higher quality e-bikes that they can repair on site – some local bike shops that carry e-bikes include:

• Wheat Ridge Cyclery
• Slo-Hi Bikes
• Rhythm Cycles
• A full list of bike shops participating in Denver’s e-bike rebate program can be found here.

Safe Streets Are Needed

One of the biggest barriers to increasing bicycling and e-bikes remains the lack of safe streets and routes to ride. Wheat Ridge has made some progress in recent years, with adding bike lanes to Harlan St for a small section for example, but has much further to go to create a network where everyone from kids to older adults can feel comfortable riding, as is envisioned in the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Programs to Support E-bikes

Readers may have heard about the popularity of Denver’s e-bike rebate program, which just this year has provided funding for residents to purchase 4,100 e-bikes. Early next year, the Colorado Energy Office will be launching a statewide e-bike rebate program to help low and moderate income Coloradans afford an e-bike through a local bike shop. In addition, the state will be continuing its grant programs to local governments and organizations to support local e-bike libraries, as well as a new e-cargo bike program for restaurants or other delivery needs. Stay tuned for more information coming soon.