Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are increasingly becoming mainstream transportation in America. The same goes for worldwide popularity. In fact, in the past few years, e-bike sales have surpassed Tesla in the electric vehicle sector.
So, why are electric bikes so popular? Also, what is its future in the next decade or so? First, e-bikes have become increasingly popular due to their ease of use, versatility, improved speed, lightweight design, and affordability. And with such benefits, its sales have skyrocketed after COVID-19.
A Glimpse of the Popularity Of E-Bike:
According to NPD Group, a market research firm, e-bike sales in the United States increased 145% in 2020 compared to the previous year. Moreover, e-bikes will account for nearly a third of all bicycles sold globally by 2023.
But that’s not the end of the story. According to a National Institute for Transportation and Communities report, e-bike sales in the United States increased by 91% from 2016 to 2017. It increased by 130% from 2017 to 2018.
And finally, according to the latest data, in 2021, approximately 500000 e-bikes were sold in America. And it is expected to grow by 13% in the following year. So, the real question is, what is helping the e-bike community grow so fast?
Is there any magic behind e-bikes? Or are these e-bikes so outstanding?
Let’s explore the secrets behind such enormous popularity.
Reasons For E-Bike Popularity and Growing Sales:
From word of mouth to convenience and versatility, e-bikes have made new-age activity and daily mobility easy and fast. Also, it’s now a style statement for many people. On top of it, the recent surge in fuel pricing has also helped the e-bike community’s growth.
Word of mouth:
Although you may not believe it, word of mouth has helped develop e-bike sales more than anything else. When someone gets an e-bike, they are happy to tell everyone. Also, whether in the office, park, or coffee shop, you will see a pack of e-bikes everywhere.
Furthermore, e-bike owners will always speak to you about their versatility, ease of use, and how much they love their e-bikes. Henceforth, such positive discussion and enthusiasm of e-bike owners and the community has indeed shined electric bikes’ popularity.
Easiness in use and versatility:
One of the main reasons for the popularity of e-bikes is their ease of use and versatility. The electric motor on an e-bike assists in pedaling. So, riding up hills or over terrain challenging for new cyclists, particularly with regular cycles, gets easier. Also, the controls are easy with the -onboard panel.
Additionally, e-bikes have entered the fitness and performance cycling sector. For instance, Giant, a leading cycle manufacturer, and Trek are producing electric bikes for professional and fitness training applications. Also, their wider range of retailers and stores has made e-bikes accessible to people who may not have considered cycling before.
Ever-increasing speed and range:
Improved speed is another reason why e-bikes have become popular. With advancements in motor technology, e-bikes can now travel up to 28 miles per hour. Even without the pedal assistance, you can easily hit 20MPH speed at ease. And as icing on the cake, e-bikes have also developed their battery range incredibly. These days, you can easily go up to 40 miles on a single charge.
Hence, such speed and battery life make them an attractive alternative to cars for short commutes and errands. E-bikes help reduce travel time. People can ride in bike lanes, through traffic, and in areas where cars are not permitted. And when you are busy, it helps!
Improved design and lithium-ion technology:
E-bikes have become more lightweight and efficient thanks to advancements in lithium-ion battery technology. These batteries can be recharged quickly within a couple of hours. Many companies are also integrating fast-charging capacities with their e-bikes. These lithium-ion batteries can power e-bikes for up to 100 miles on a single charge.
Some e-bikes even come with removable batteries. Hence, swapping out a dead battery for a fully charged one on the go becomes easy. And believe us, it helps in daily commuting.
Wider pricing range with versatile features:
A wide range of e-bikes ranges from $700 to $10,000 or more.
For example, the 2019 Ancheer Power Plus Electric Mountain Bike is around $800. It is a budget-friendly option with a powerful electric motor and a durable aluminum frame. So, it is ideal for off-road adventures.
The Rad Power Bikes RadCity 4, priced at around $1,500, is a mid-range e-bike designed for urban commuting, with a comfortable riding position, large tires for stability, and a range of up to 45 miles on a single charge. Finally, the Pace 500, priced at $1399 and 28MPH top speed, is often considered a dream for daily commuters.
And if you have the budget and want a super-long battery range with a turbo-charge facility, you can go up to $5000 to $10000 for electric bikes. So, for every EV lover, there’re so many outstanding electric bikes in every price range.
Spike in fuel price:
Finally, the surge in fuel prices has also contributed to the popularity of e-bikes. Indeed, electric bikes offer an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to cars for short commutes. With e-bikes, riders can save money on fuel costs and reduce their carbon footprint simultaneously.
For instance, e-bike battery charging costs less than a penny for a 1-mile ride. It is way more fuel-efficient than regular cars. E-bikes have better fuel economy than e-cars. For instance, Tesla’s Model X offers 80-96MPG. On the contrary, an average electric bike provides a 1000MPG range. It is like getting 1000% better fuel efficiency.
Plus, with the increasing price of fossil fuel and electricity worldwide, e-bikes have turned out to be e cheaper option for mobility for all. It also helps reduce carbon footprint, as we mentioned earlier. They offer 20X better efficiency in battling against climate change.
Conclusion:
E-bikes have become increasingly popular in the last decade or so. Truly, they have become the face of EVs worldwide. So, it’s not surprising to see why cities like New York, California, Milan, etc., are preparing more separate lanes for regular cycles and e-bikes.
And with growing consciousness about ecology and, particularly, fuel pricing being a major concern, we see no reason for constant growth in the e-bike sector. So, when are you joining the ever-developing community?
