The companies that make and sell e-bikes say they can overcome those obstacles. E-bike technology, particularly the batteries, is improving. “Batteries are getting smaller, they’re getting lighter, they’re getting more reliable and they are lasting longer,” says Don DiCostanza, the founder and CEO of Pedego, an electric bikemaker and retailer. Big companies like Bosch and Shimano are entering the business. This should help lower the resistance from bike shops. Perhaps most importantly, more cities are building cycling infrastructure including bike lanes so bicycle commuting has become more popular. As the US Census Bureau reported in 2014, the number of bike commuters grew from about 488,000 in 2000 to 786,000 in 2012. Electric bikes make commuting more practical – and fun – by reducing worry about hills, headwinds and tiredness.
What does DiCostanza say about e-bike batteries?
They used to last for a shorter time They used to be smaller Their sales increased between 2000 and 2012 They will soon be rechargeable at gas stations