Car News Bike News is a weekly feature that takes a look at some of the most important stories in cycling and automotive news. Follow enough bike news, and you'll notice a few troubling trends. For example, the word "accident" frequently appears in headlines when drivers hit cyclists. This cloaks their guilt in language that's almost victim-blaming.

1. E-Bikes Are On The Rise

During the pandemic, as public transit ridership plummeted, many cities began rolling out fleets of electric motor bikes, or e-bikes. Since then, their popularity has skyrocketed. E-bikes are a popular choice for people who want to reduce their carbon footprint and make it easier to get around town or go on an off-road bike ride without getting too exhausted. They also offer an appealing option for people who need to keep up with a fast group of cyclists or commute in traffic jams. It has a global team of 55 editors and reporters. Subscribers can get 24/7 access to Car News, which is available by phone, email and online.

In the past, some cycling enthusiasts have resented e-bikes, comparing them to scooters and electric cars. But some of those resentments seem to be fading. Owners of e-bike shops say they're seeing more customers from Europe and America. They're seeing people who used to drive to work but are now swapping out their minivan for a quick e-bike ride. They're seeing families that want a way to get to school and run errands while getting some exercise.

2. E-Bikes Are On The Way Up

E-bikes have exploded in popularity in recent years as tools for commuting, exercise and recreation. Designed to look and operate like regular bikes, the magic of an e-bike is in the motor that boosts your pedaling when you activate the throttle. The motor will cut out if you reach a preset top speed or if you stop pedaling. The motor also assists with climbing hills. Even if you’re a climbing ace, there are limits to how much your legs can do before they get tired. E-bikes enable you to tackle steep climbs and enjoy the ride without worrying about exhaustion.

E-bikes are legal to ride on most paved roads and bike lanes, as well as many mountain bikes and recreational trails. However, it’s best to check with each park or trail you intend to ride. The laws governing e-bikes can vary widely from state to state, and some classify them as mopeds or scooters with restrictions and licensing requirements that differ from those of motorcycles.

3. The E-Bike Act Died

Two preteen girls were riding an e-bike in the Los Angeles sunshine on Jan. 31, 2021, when something went horribly wrong. Molly Steinsapir, 11, and her friend Eme Green, 12, were aboard a Rad Power Bikes RadRunner, a Class 2 e-bike that is legal to ride in California if riders are 16 or older. It’s a tragedy that’s reverberating across the country, and it highlights just how close advocates came to passing a real federal policy to incentivize Bike News sales. But the e-bike credit that was part of President Joe Biden’s original Build Back Better package died when it got to the Senate.

That doesn’t mean advocates are going to give up. They’re still aiming to get the bill back on the table, and they have other opportunities coming up this year, including an effort to make available pretax commuter benefits for cyclists similar to those provided to drivers. That will be a tough sell, but supporters aren’t giving up.

4. E-Bikes Are On The Way Up

E-bikes are a great way to overcome barriers to cycling, such as hilly terrain or the logistics of getting to work without arriving sweaty. They can also make riding easier for sedentary people who might not feel comfortable on traditional bikes and serve as a gateway to more active transportation in place of cars.

But it's important to consider the entire ecosystem of cycling infrastructure when designing and implementing e-bikes. Cities still have a long way to go when it comes to making cycling safer and more convenient. Bike paths are often blocked by idling trucks and double-parked cars, and cyclists must dodge car doors that suddenly swing open. Most e-bikes use lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and catch fire if not properly cared for. In addition, e-bikes can have more moving parts than traditional bikes and are generally heavier. They also require more frequent battery replacement and charging than other vehicles.

Conclusion

E-bike sales are outpacing EVs in 2021 and 2022, and this trend seems likely to continue. But not everyone is convinced. He suggests that the city build more physically separated bike lanes, instead of just marked ones on streets shared with cars. He wants to see sliding doors made mandatory on taxis, avoiding the pitfalls of them garroteing cyclists.