Older Cyclists Keep Pedaling, Millennials Commute With E-Bikes

Cycling Industry News reported that in 2016 more than 200,000 e-bikes were sold in the United States and the trend appears to be upward. Electric bicycles are riding up in popularity, keeping some boomers on the cycling paths who might otherwise have abandoned two-wheel life.

While there’s a heavy pitch to boomers, a critical cohort in the recent explosion in popularity, other age groups are also getting in on the action. While light electric vehicles afford boomers easy access to bicycle trails, trips and tours at the same time "these vehicles also attract millennials who are using them for commuting and social enjoyment" according to Voltaire Cycles Franchises in New Jersey in a press release.

E-bikes are equipped with small, battery-operated motors that can make the ride less strenuous although with many, cyclists still must do at least some pedaling. The electric-assist motors allow for speeds up to 20 mph.

The boom in electric bicycles is projected to grow more than 50 percent to $24.4 billion by 2025. Reflecting the trend, some bicycle shops now deal exclusively in e-bikes which generally cost more than conventional bicycles often with list prices of $3,000 or more.

Source aarp.org