Berkshire E-Bike Boom

One of the hottest trends in bicycling, maybe the hottest, is motor-assisted, or E-bikes. Where once you got an occasional glimpse of this mode of transportation, especially in cities, they are now becoming a common sight on the roadways of Berkshire and Litchfield counties.

An E-bike is a modified bicycle; it looks and functions like a traditional bicycle and, if users desire, they can still pedal and gain momentum as they would with a traditional bicycle. But E-bikes also come equipped with a small electric motor that can be used to help power the vehicle, ultimately reaching speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour.

“E-biking is becoming a `hot’ trend because it makes biking fun, especially in hilly areas,” said Marie Isabelle, a devotee, along with her husband, West, who is busy spreading the gospel in the area. “Its advantage is that it’s getting more people out biking and enjoying it. We did an E-bike demonstration recently (in Norfolk) and it appealed to all age groups.”

The E-bikes are just the right bicycle for those who wish to lessen their tires’ carbon footprint. The electric motor can be charged, much like an electric car. It has zero emissions and is faster and less effort-intensive than a conventional bicycle.

Said Isabelle, “I live in a very hilly town and my E-bike allows me to ride everywhere and enjoy it ... in fact, I live on a very long hill and I end my ride with a smile. The E-bikes only work as you pedal. So you do get exercise. The motor is only an assist as you need it.”

She added that some people maintain a misconception about E-bikes. “Many people think E-bikes work like a moped until they try them. Every person who demoed an E-bike returned smiling and saying `that’s amazing’!”

E-bike manufacturers are reportedly making a concentrated effort to appeal to broader audiences, making E-bikes look attractive to and practical for a larger number of people. One potential drawback? The E-bike can be rather pricey, anywhere from around $2,000 upwards to $16,000 or more. Yikes! But a traditional road bicycle can run close to the same price range, soooo ...

“They can be expensive,” said Isabelle, “depending on the make and bike differentials. There are many different components based on street bike versus mountain bike. The people at Berkshire Bike and Board are very knowledgeable and helpful in what bike would work for you. More and more bike shops are offering different levels and different affordable prices.”

She is a member of the Norfolk Rails2Trails, which is conducting an event, Tour de Forest, October 12th. It’s a 12.5-mile bike ride—not a race—and it’s for all ages. It starts at the Norfolk Curling Club and participants will ride through Great Mountain Forest. Berkshire Bike and Board will be there with E-bike rentals.

Steffan Root, a co-owner of Berkshire Bike and Board, which has stores in Great Barrington and Pittsfield MA, noticed the trend toward E-bikes about five years ago. “I saw the writing on the wall, that this was going to be a big thing and we made a significant investment to stock an inventory of the bikes. We have seen this category explode in recent years.”

He reported that his store has sold about 50 E-bikes this year alone, costing anywhere from $2,500 to $3,500 each. “While we, of course, still sell a lot traditional road and off-road bicycles, the price of the E-bikes related to units sold is much greater,” Root said. “There are basically three things that drive the price of the bike; the first is the motor, the second is the battery, and the third is the bicycle itself, the frame, materials used and components that go into the bike.”

A lower-end bike will generate about 400 watt hours and one on the higher end of the price range will generate about 700 watt hours, giving riders between 50 to 60 miles of use from the motor. And if the motor quits, you can still peddle your way back home, something you can’t do with a motor vehicle.

“There is no question that three or four years ago there were a lot of people in the industry that wanted no part of the E-bikes. They almost viewed it as cheating to be able to peddle and receive assistance from a motor. But you are still pedaling to create that assistance when needed. Berkshire County and Litchfield County are full of hills and this allows many people the advantage of being able to continue riding when they thought they no longer could.”

Root said those buying E-bikes tend to be Baby Boomers who have had some bicycling experience in the past and who believed their biking days were over because of topography challenges or health conditions. “Now, these people are getting back on a bicycle and getting great exercise and enjoying themselves again.”

E-bikers and traditional bicyclists have even intermingled on some of the long rides the Bike and Board organizes and supervises. “We didn’t know how the two would interface but the E-bikers are just other people out there sweating and having fun like the traditional cyclists.”

Root said some “hard-core” traditional cyclists are even finding advantages to using E-bikes as part of their training. The assist from the motor allows them to maintain a consistent physical exertion, especially on hills, that is so important for their cardio. “That consistency is what the serious athlete is looking for and now he or she can get this by using an E-bike.”

Bike and Board conducts regular bike rides Tuesday and Thursday, starting from the store. “We have also started getting requests from people who want to use an E-bike for a four- or five-hour sunset ride in the area that is currated by our ride leaders.”

Check out www.BerkshireBikeAndBoard for more information on E-bikes, traditional bicycle and leader-led long rides through the rolling hills of the Berkshires and beyond.