In the quest to electrify the transportation sector, some state and city leaders see the future arriving not on four wheels, but on two.
As electric bicycles, or e-bikes, grow in popularity, enthusiasts increasingly see them as a tool to reduce auto traffic and air pollution, not just as a fun new toy. States, cities and utilities have begun offering vouchers or rebates to help residents buy e-bikes. Some places are pairing such programs with a renewed effort to expand bike lanes and connect cycling corridors. That switch, leaders say, is cheaper, faster to implement and requires fewer resources for manufacturing and charging than electric cars need.
E-bikes have pedals but use an electric motor to help riders accelerate, maintain speed and climb hills. That makes them easier to use than traditional bicycles, especially in hilly areas and for riders who might not want the intense workout of biking to work or other errands.
