Electric bicycles continue to surge in popularity across the United States, bringing with them a host of benefits but also, inevitably, a few concerns. Despite e-bikes racking up points from new commuters across the country for being lower-cost car alternatives that turn commutes and errand running into joyrides, these powerful new transportation tools aren’t without their detractors, too.
Concerns among some members of the public have ranged from safety issues of sharing roads with cars to the risk of battery fires. However, there exists a straightforward solution that could alleviate nearly any worry anyone has about electric bikes: investing in better cycling infrastructure.
There’s a simple solution for e-bikes
It’s really quite easy. If you can find a supposed “problem” with electric bikes, I can all but guarantee that the solution is to invest in better cycling infrastructure.
Let’s try it out. Critics and potential users alike have voiced apprehensions around the danger of navigating alongside faster, heavier vehicles like cars and trucks. It’s a legitimate concern, as riders don’t want to get pancaked by a SUV any more than those drivers want to kill a cyclist.
So what’s the answer? Better cycling infrastructure in the form of separated bicycle lanes!
The fear of sharing the road with cars is valid; automobiles and bicycles are mismatched in terms of size, speed, and protection. Implementing dedicated, protected bike lanes ensures a safe space for e-bike riders, free from the risks posed by close proximity to motor vehicles.
Cities around the world with high cycling rates have proven that comprehensive networks of bike lanes can significantly reduce accidents and improve safety for all road users.
It also serves car drivers by getting cyclists out of their way and ultimately reducing car traffic by encouraging more people to switch to an e-bike for local trips.
What about the issue that many finger-waggers have with teenagers riding e-bikes? “Those darn youths are all over the road…” is a common refrain these days.
Here’s a solution: better cycling infrastructure. If there were more bike lanes around, you wouldn’t have to worry about teenagers riding their e-bikes near your car because they’d have their own convenient, safe, and separated bike lanes to ride in. It works for other countries, why not yours?
The same goes for pedestrian safety. Many pedestrians fear e-bike riders blowing down the sidewalk and knocking them over. It’s a legitimate concern and a prime example of why e-bikes shouldn’t be ridden on crowded sidewalks.
But when cyclists have to choose between sidewalks or the narrow shoulder of a fast urban highway, it’s no surprise they choose the relative safety of sidewalks. If cities invested in better cycling infrastructure, I suspect the third option of a nice and safe bike lane would be the winning option.
What about the fear many riders have of getting their bike stolen? Or of battery fires during charging (a rare but not unheard of occurrence)? Again, better cycling infrastructure to the rescue!
The deployment of secure locking and charging stations can address both issues simultaneously. By providing designated areas for e-bikes that are equipped with safe charging infrastructure, cities can minimize the risk of theft and mitigate fire hazards. These stations would not only offer a secure place to charge and store e-bikes but also encourage their use by alleviating concerns over battery safety and longevity.
Safe, secure bike parking is all over the Netherlands. E-bike charging stations are all over China. Humanity has figured out these solutions, we just need to implement them here at home.
The Broader Benefits
Investing in better cycling infrastructure doesn’t just solve the immediate concerns of e-bike users, it has far-reaching benefits for the community at large. Improved bike lanes and secure charging stations can lead to increased e-bike adoption, reducing traffic congestion, lowering emissions, and contributing to a healthier, more active population.
Enhancing cycling infrastructure signals a commitment to sustainable transportation options and inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, ability, or economic status, has access to safe and reliable mobility solutions.
The rapid rise of electric bicycles is a blessing for urban transportation but also raises the pressing need for cities across the U.S. to adapt and embrace cycling infrastructure.
While concerns about safety and battery management are valid, they can be effectively addressed through thoughtful urban planning and investment in infrastructure tailored to e-bike use.
By prioritizing separated bike lanes and secure locking and charging stations, we can unlock the full potential of e-bikes as a cornerstone of urban mobility, making our cities safer, cleaner, and more accessible for everyone.
The answer of “build better biking infrastructure” is easy to say but harder to implement. It requires all of us to recognize the benefits and push our cities to act. It’s not just about cyclists, but rather about improving cities for all of us. When cyclists have safer areas to ride and store their bikes, everyone benefits.
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Although sales of Porsche’s first EV, the Taycan, fell nearly 50% in 2024, things could be looking up for the sports car maker. After its “launch literally electrified us,” the electric Porsche Macan may spark a comeback this year.
Why did Porsche’s EV sales drop in 2024?
Porsche delivered over 310,700 vehicles globally last year, or about 9,500 less than in 2023. Sales in China led the downfall, plunging 28% from the prior year amid a wave of low-cost domestic EVs entering the market.
In total, Porsche delivered 20,836 Taycan EVs to customers last year, down 49% from 2023. The lower total comes after launching the upgraded 2025 Taycan last year. Porsche also said, “The ramp-up of electric mobility is generally proceeding more slowly than planned” as part of the reason.
In its largest sales market, North America, Porsche delivered over 86,500 vehicles in 2024. Although that’s up a mere 1% from 2023, Porsche’s EV sales also took a hit.
Porsche sold 4,747 Taycan models in the US last year, 37% fewer than in 2023. The 2025 model began arriving at US dealerships last Summer, which helped push sales up nearly 75% in the fourth quarter to 2,358.
Meanwhile, Porsche’s second EV, the electric Macan, could have an even bigger impact. After delivering the first models at the end of September, Porsche delivered 18,278 electric Macans by the end of 2024.’
“This launch literally electrified us. I am therefore particularly pleased that more than 18,000 examples of the all-electric variant have already been delivered,” Porsche AG board member for sales and marketing, Detlev von Platen, said.
Porsche sold 2,771 electric Macan SUVs in the US last year. On a call with reporters (via Automotive News), the company’s North American CEO, Timo Resch, said, “A lot of the consumers that come into the Macan Electric are [new to the] brand.”
Electrek’s Take
I’m not here to say the electric Macan will be Porsche’s savior, but the strong sales start is promising. Porsche has already backtracked on plans for 80% of deliveries to be electric by 2030.
According to recent reports, the electric Cayenne, due out in 2026, could be delayed depending on market demand. The upcoming 718 Cayman and Boxster EVs could also face delays as Porsche plans to keep gas and hybrid models alive longer than expected.
Looking ahead, Porsche also plans to introduce an ultra-luxury electric SUV to sit above the Cayenne, codenamed “K1” internally. It’s expected to compete with Range Rover and Ferrari’s first electric SUVs.
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Elon Musk complains that Tesla is not getting subsidies for its electric truck chargers while calling for the end of electric vehicle subsidies in the US.
However, it wasn’t included in any round of funding, including the latest one announced this week, which should be the latest now that Trump is getting into office and campaigned on ending electric vehicle subsidies.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk contributed more than $240 million to get Trump elected and supported his goal of removing subsidies for electric vehicles.
That’s why it’s surprising to see Musk comment on the news in disappointment. He wrote on X: “Hear we go again (sigh)”.
While this specific project wasn’t funded, 49 other projects shared over $600 million in funding that will deploy more than 11,500 EV charging ports across 27 states, four federally recognized tribes, and the District of Columbia.
Also, while Tesla didn’t get any funding in this round, Tesla has received millions in funding for its charging stations in the previous round.
Electrek’s Take
I think that’s fair. If you are actively lobbying for the end of EV subsidies in the US, a market that is far behind the rest of the world in EV adoption, why should the administration that is investing in correcting that give you the subsidies you are trying to end?
It makes no sense. That’s why I also support California in signaling that if the Federal government removes its EV subsidies, it will replace them at the state level, but Tesla will be left out.
It’s especially fair considering Elon has made it clear that the reason he wants to kill EV subsidies, which Tesla was the biggest beneficiary of, is that he believes it will put more pressure on the competition than Tesla and potentially kill them while only Tesla will remain.
He basically wants to pull the ladder that Tesla used to get where it is now to prevent others from using it.
“Subsidies for me, not for thee” – Elon’s new motto.
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The US electric bike industry has already seen a regulation-heavy start to 2025. Now, New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s potential new restrictions on fast and exceedingly heavy electric bikes could add to the proposed and enacted legislation we’ve seen lately.
Hochul proposed in her State of the State address yesterday that Class 3 electric bikes weighing over 100 lb (45 kg) be excluded from existing electric bicycle regulations and instead be treated more like mopeds.
That would mean imposing motor vehicle regulations resulting in licensing and registration requirements, as well as disallowing their use in bike lanes.
The governor explained that this new regulation would ideally help increase the safety of bike lanes, according to Streetsblog NYC.
As a reminder, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes can reach a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) on motor power, with Class 2 e-bikes including a throttle that allows motor use without requiring the pedals to be used. In most states, Class 3 e-bikes can reach higher speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h) with pedal assist but not throttle. However, New York State has stricter Class 3 limits that provide for speeds up to just 25 mph (40 km/h).
The proposed new regulations would only target Class 3 e-bikes that exceed the suggested weight limit of 100 lb (45 kg).
Most electric bikes weigh well under 100 lb (45 kg). Common e-bikes seen regularly on US streets and bike lanes weigh between 50-75 lb (23 to 34 kg). However, there are some e-bike models available on the market that can reach or exceed 100 lb (45 kg). We’ve tested a few of them.
Such heavy electric bikes are usually visually similar to mopeds and light electric motorcycles, often featuring large tires, heavy motors, dual suspension, chunky frames, and other components that add significant weight. However, many heavy electric bicycles are limited to 20 mph (32 km/h), and could exceed the arbitrary 100 lb (45 kg) proposed limit while still not falling under this proposed regulation due to their Class 2 designation.
Electrek’s Take
At face value, there’s some logic to this. A 100 lb electric bike has a lot more rolling mass than a 50 lb electric bike, and you can guess which one I’d rather get hit by. Though at the same time, when the rider nearly always weighs more than the vehicle, the weight of the e-bike certainly has a lower relevance to its safety. With a 200 lb (91 kg) rider on both bikes, we’re only talking about a relatively small 20% difference in mass.
And it’s a bit telling that there wasn’t much discussion in the State of the State address about any other road safety issues, certainly not about the several thousand-pound cars that actually kill many New Yorkers every year.
I’m not saying I don’t support reasonable regulations to ensure the safety of everyone, in the bike lanes and outside of them. But let’s get real here. The percentage of electric bikes that are 100+ lb is tiny, likely under 1-2% of all e-bikes on the road. And that’s a tiny slice of an entire pie that is itself a tiny slice of the injury-causing-vehicle pie. So I’m not saying there isn’t any good regulation opportunity out there for e-bikes. But this is all fluff on top of fluff if you think it’s actually about making a meaningful impact on road safety. If they really cared about better protecting cyclists, governments would enforce existing laws to prevent cars from killing them so frequently.
These types of clumsy, heavy-handed regulations are just that – quick and dirty attempts to appear to be working towards a solution, when in fact they are largely meaningless in their ultimate impact on protecting lives.
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