What is the future of e-bikes?
The advent of e-bikes represented a watershed in the way of conceiving the classic cycle. In fact, before we were used to considering the classic two-wheeled vehicle only as tiring and uncomfortable for daily use, but today the trend is totally reversed. More and more people prefer to ride an electric bicycle instead of using the car, also thanks to an increasingly versatility and captivating design of the two-wheeled vehicle that makes it in line with any type of urban environment.
This habits change of course was certainly facilitated by the introduction of the motor into the bicycle, which allows less effort while pedaling and a greater comfort. In short, anyone can use it without a proper level of training or fitness.
The ebike is suitable for reaching your workplace without falling in a sweat, or for getting around the city for shopping, or even for leisure and free time.
Today the electric bicycle market has reached sales peaks never reached before. An example? The Bosch company, which produces motors and batteries for around 70 electric bicycle brands, saw that the demand for e-bikes in the United States grew by 85% in March 2022 compared to the previous year! The total market is estimated to reach a huge amount of $ 46 billion by 2026.
But if it is true that even such a "classic" vehicle as the bicycle has been overwhelmed by innovation, it is also true that there could potentially be no limits to its evolution. So, what will the e-bike of the future be like? Here's what we found out and can imagine according to new market needs and trends.
Ebikes: how they are born
To understand what will happen in the future, we have to look backwards, so we start with some information about how it started in the past years.
The first modern electric bicycle dates back to 1994, when the Yamaha company introduced on the Japanese market a bicycle model equipped with the Pedal Assist System (PAS), the technology underlying today's e-bikes. The bicycle was equipped with a single assistance mode and lead-acid batteries that allowed a total range of 12 miles.
Since then, e-bikes have undergone an unexpected and unthinkable evolution that is destined to continue in the coming years. Technologies are going better and more advanced than before, for example now we have some ebikes with PAS that are capable of reaching 93+ miles with a single battery charge.
Actually, it is quite difficult to predict exactly how the e-bike of the future could be, but most likely it will be different from the one we know today. The field of innovation has been able to surprise us several times in recent years, and we are convinced that the same thing will happen for the e-bike sector, also thanks to the economic crisis and attention to respect for the environment.
Future ebikes: transport and utility
Considering the growing need of transportation and reduction of pollution, we can imagine that enterprises and businesses will also join the evolution of electric bikes for goods transportation.
Cargo bikes are special types of ebikes that allow you to carry goods or even a person or a child. In the USA they are not yet particularly widespread, while they have found success especially in Northern Europe. The introduction of pedal assistance on these bicycle models could totally revolutionize our way of living everyday life. Not only that, but there is also a four-wheel version which makes them excellent for transporting bulkier packages from warehouses to urban areas.
A more efficient way of moving with bikes also requires adequate infrastructures.
Anyone who owns a speed e-bike knows perfectly well how this vehicle can reach quite high speeds. For this reason it is not allowed to circulate on normal cycle paths, which are only used for non-electric bicycles. Hence the idea of building cycle highways that can safely accommodate e-bike traffic.
This will imply having to question the legislation that regulates the speed of e-bikes, but opening a dialogue on the measures taken would perhaps allow us to make the most of the potential they offer.
Ebikes are smart and connected
The world of electric bicycles is also destined to become smarter and more connected. This will allow, for example, a better tracking of the position, especially useful in cases of theft of the vehicle. The e-bikes will be equipped with a display that will provide the cyclist with a whole range of information on traffic, on the dangers on the road or on the weather.
Actually we have to mention that there were some models equipped with the gps or smartphone connection, but we are sure that soon it will be like"standard equipment".
In some countries they are studying how to quickly charge the battery with an integrated technology into the road surface. One of the most ambitious projects is to create special parking areas where e-bikes are recharged through wireless technology. The charger should be integrated right into the road surface.
Future is electric: join it now!
Despite any kind of forecasts and some incoming innovations, what we are sure of is that the e-bike will certainly become the means of transport of the future. The encounter between technology, innovation and sustainability seems to have found the main protagonist in electric bikes.
In the future of e-bikes there will be more and more functional integration between the components responsible for electrification.
The goal of this evolution is not to distort the bike riding experience. Each step towards innovation will also try to wink at sustainability and respect for the environment, a theme that has now become of fundamental importance worldwide.
In short, the future of e-bikes does not seem to be that far away, you can buy a great ebike right now. Give a look to the brand new Meebike Gallop, that's made for urban commuting and fun times!