If you’ve been to Europe or parts of Asia lately, you’ve probably noticed something: e-bikes are not a novelty there. They’re everywhere. Parents haul kids in cargo boxes, couriers deliver packages, and office workers roll up in suits, all without touching a car key. In cities like Amsterdam or Tokyo, electric two-wheelers have gone from fringe to fundamental, replacing cars and vans for countless daily trips.
But the US is still catching up. Americans are already buying more e-bikes than ever before, somewhere between one and 1.2 million a year, but most of those sales are happening in big cities. If you live in the suburbs or anywhere rural, finding more than a couple of e-bikes at your local shop can be a challenge. Even then, prices aren’t always friendly. Infrastructure is improving, but compared to the seamless cycling networks overseas, the US still has a long way to go.
