Can simply adding an electric motor to a human-powered bicycle significantly reduce urban smog, traffic congestion and energy consumption — and even help curb climate change? Yes, but many bumps in the road must be overcome to get there. Today’s electric bicycles come in a range of two-wheeled e-bikes and three-wheeled e-trikes, varieties to meet consumer and business needs, with many millions already sold. The addition of an electric motor to the traditional bicycle’s powertrain has not only expanded its range and usefulness for recreation and commuting, but propelled it into commerce, largely for making last-mile deliveries or as taxis. Among the e-bike’s advantages: Riders, combining pedal power with an electric assist, can climb steep hills, travel faster and farther. Electric bikes also allow the elderly or people with some medical limitations to ride. But before e-bikes reach their full societal potential, the industry and the world’s nations need to overcome some impediments, including manufacturing capacity, battery reliability and safety, transportation infrastructure and culture. Today’s electric bicycles come in a range of two-wheeled e-bikes and three-wheeled e-trikes, and varieties to meet consumer and business needs, with many millions already sold. Image by Team EVELO via Pexels (Public domain). A growth industry comes of age “The global electric bike market size was valued at $37.47 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from $43.32 billion in 2023, to $119.72 billion by 2030,” according to Fortune Business Insights, a global marketing research company. The COVID-19 pandemic especially accelerated demand as people…This article was originally published on Mongabay
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