E-bikes giving cycling needed push
you’re struggling. Suddenly it feels like you have a hand on your back, pushing while you barely peddle.
That’s the new rage in biking, though some traditionalists consider an electric motor cheating. But the industry, which has seen bicycle shops in the U.S. decrease from 5,000 to 4,000 over the last decade, sees the e-bike as a product that could reverse the trend.
Three years ago, the trade show had 10 to 12 companies that sold the e-bike. An entire section was dedicated to e-bikes for this show, and for the second consecutive year a test track gave people an opportunity to sample the product.
“In the last three years, it has really started to take off,” said Justin Gottlieb, director of communications for Interbike. “Over- all, the bike industry has been flat to slightly declining and segments like road bikes have been down for quite a while. The bright spot is in the e-bike world. They have been tremendous in Europe and Asia are just starting to come to a head here.”
The expectation is that millennials will appreciate bikes that can go up to 28 mph, compared to the 20 mph they might reach on a traditional bike. The biggest market, however, may be baby boomers, many of whom have trouble riding because of problems with their knees, hips, backs and other ailments. On an e-bike, someone can go 12 to 15 mph without peddling much at all. E-BIKES,