When Trek Bicycle recently announced it was replacing Madison’s entire fleet of red BCycle bikes with 300 novel pedal-assist electric bikes, it wasn’t on a whim.
Electric bicycles – which feature a compact, rechargeable electric motor that helps cyclists pedal with less effort – are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. bicycle market. They already account for more than 50 percent of novel bicycle sales in Europe and Asia, so it’s not straightforward to assume that e-bikes could eventually become the dominant mode of two-wheeled transportation around the world.
However, as with any breakthrough technology, applicable regulations often remain out of date. For example, Wisconsin regulations currently classify e-bikes as “motorcycles,” that is, clunky old-fashioned bicycles with a gas engine. This means that, technically, e-bikes are banned from cycling/pedestrian trails, and operators must carry a valid driver’s license – although there is no record of any e-cyclists being cited.
Now, in an effort to bring state law into line with reality, the Legislature is poised to approve a bill recognizing and regulating electric bicycles. The bill, which has broad bipartisan support, would treat e-bikes like conventional bicycles in all cases, while giving local governments the ability to set rules on things like parking or rentals.
“There is no question that we needed to update our regulations to be in line with the direction the industry was heading,” says the bill’s lead sponsor. Rep. Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah), noting that Wisconsin-based companies such as Trek and Harley-Davidson support the legislation, which has passed the state house and appears set to be signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers.
The Wisconsin Law would essentially codify an electric bicycle as “a bicycle equipped with fully operable human-powered pedals and an electric motor with a power of less than 750 watts,” according to an analysis by the Legislative Reference Office.
This will make e-bikes subject to the same road rules as other bicycles, and give them the same responsibilities and privileges – meaning they can travel on paved cycle paths, gravel roads or single-track off-road roads.
“The key thing is that it will allow the crazy Lennys of the world to do their thing and stay calm,” says former Fitchburg Mayor Steve Arnold, now secretary of the Wisconsin Bike Fed board.
New electric bikes cost an average of $2,000 to $3,000 compared to $1,000 or less for a conventional commuter bike. The industry hopes they will appeal to both grave cyclists and those looking to replace low trips that are typically done by car.
While Lenny Mattioli, owner of Crazy Lenny’s E-Bikes, hasn’t gotten personally involved in the lobbying effort, the retailer’s marketing consultant is elated that the legislation is finally moving forward after several years of committee inaction.
“Anything that helps people understand what e-bikes are and are not is good,” says John Warriner.
Wisconsin’s law would also require manufacturers or distributors of e-bikes to include a label that includes the classification number, the speed at which the motor shuts off and the motor’s horsepower.
Arnold admits he’s heard complaints from the conventional muscle-powered cyclist crowd about the impact of e-bikes on trails and bike paths, but he’s not convinced the novel law will open a Pandora’s box of problems. It notes that the bill does not provide for the ability to set speed limits, a policy supported by Bike Fed.
“Nobody seems to care how fast someone goes on a bike these days, as long as they’re safe,” he says.
Renee Callaway, pedestrian bicycle administrator for the city of Madison, says she has also heard complaints about e-bike users riding in bike lanes, but none more so than those riding too rapid on regular bikes.
“It’s more about behavior than the type of bike,” he says. “The same problems already existed.”
Lawmakers in other states have also sought to update their e-bike laws. So far, approximately 30 countries have introduced changes based on novel technologies.
According to analysis of the bicycle industry e-bike sales increased 83 percent between 2017 and May 2018, and e-bikes now account for more than 10 percent of total U.S. bicycle sales
Asian and European e-bike markets are even more hearty, with manufacturers such as Waterloo-based Trek looking to boost e-bike sales. Trek BCycle, which has been operating in Madison since 2011, operates bike share systems in more than 40 cities across the country.
Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson recently entered the market acquiring electric bike maker StaCyc, hoping to boost lagging sales of its bikes.
Rep. Rohrkaste considers himself an avid cyclist, and while he doesn’t have an electric bike yet, he certainly sees it as an attraction for both cyclists and Wisconsin businesses.
“There are a lot of opportunities as companies offer ridesharing to their employees,” he says. “It’s also a way for older people to stay active and even get back on their bikes.”
