Interest in biking has increased all across the world, with ebikes drawing the most attention. Now we’re curious about the evolution of the ebike revolution and what the ebikes of tomorrow will look like.
Over the past few years or so, electric bikes have emerged as a hot trend. Although they’re not exactly a new thing, considering they’ve been around for over 120 years, ebikes only became widely available in the past two decades, and the real breakthrough moment came a few years ago. Since then, they’ve become a common sight in cities and rural areas, and they continue to enjoy great popularity.
In 2019, the ebike market has been estimated at $15.42 billion and is expected to generate around 53.5 billion U.S. dollars in revenue by 2027. It’s safe to say that the future looks bright for ebikes, and they might just be able to transform the urban transit in the years to come.
Their rapid rise in popularity can be attributed to a variety of factors. For starters, they provide a cost-effective and convenient way to commute and get around in busy cities. People’s increasing interest in adopting a healthier lifestyle and a growing environmental consciousness also plays a major role in the ebike phenomenon.
But another important factor that has skyrocketed the ebike market and continues to do so is represented tech advances. Ebike technology has come a long way since its humble beginnings, making modern ebikes are a lot lighter and more performant than their predecessors. So, we can’t help but wonder what tech developments will bring to the table next and how they will impact ebike progress. If our predictions are true, here’s what you can expect to see in the future.
Integration in urban transportation
When ebikes first came into the spotlight, they were not welcomed with open arms by everyone. You might have the feeling they are everywhere right now, and indeed their numbers have increased significantly, but a lot of people are still unfamiliar with ebikes and the benefits they provide. While they are quite popular in Asia and Europe, the US is only now starting to catch up on the electrical bike trend.
As ebikes become more advanced, people will also become more aware of the advantages of biking as a common method of transportation. With cities getting larger and more crowded by the day, the need for finding modern mobility alternatives is greater than ever, and ebikes provide a practical solution. That means ebikes will be integrated into the urban transportation system in the future, changing urban transit for the better.
A wider range of options
In many countries, ebike choice is quite limited. For example, tall riders are having a difficult time finding an ebike that will match their requirements as most products are designed for medium height riders. Considering there will be a higher demand for ebikes in the years to come, manufacturers will have to come up with a wider range of options, to suit everyone’s needs and preferences.
Ebikes will be used for a variety of purposes. Some will use them to commute to work, or run daily errands, while others will use them for commercial purposes such as delivery and courier services in urban areas. It’s understandable that ebikes characteristics will vary based on their purpose, and we’ll see more specialized bikes hitting the market.
Lighter ebikes
The first ebikes were quite bulky, heavy, and inconvenient, so many people were on the fence about them. With tech advances, things started to change and today’s ebikes are a lot lighter than the first models developed. However, there’s still a lot of room for improvement.
Although they might not be able to compete with the lightest bike models available on the market right now, the next models will weigh a lot less than the current ones. Manufacturers are already working on using new materials and methods to reduce their weight, and if they’re successful, you’ll have one more reason to give ebikes a try.
Increased functionality
If you’re worried that reducing ebike weight will affect their functionality in any way, you can rest assured that manufacturers won’t cut any corners when designing the new generation of ebikes. Then next ebikes will not only be lighter, but they’ll also provide an enhanced level of functionality.
This will make them easier to handle and thus a lot safer, which is a very important factor, considering biking does come with a high accident risk, especially in heavy traffic areas. Safer ebikes means the chances of getting into a traffic accident or needing a bicycle accident lawyer are greatly reduced. Therefore, you’ll be able to enjoy greater peace of mind when riding an ebike.
Longer range, lower weight
Ebikes have to be charged regularly, which represents an inconvenience for some riders. There are lots of tips and tricks on how you can maximize ebike range on a single charge, but it would be a lot better if you wouldn’t have to worry about these aspects at all.
At the moment, batteries provide a limited riding range, but tech advances will bring great improvements in this area. Batteries will get smaller, reducing ebike weight, but they’ll also become more powerful, allowing riders to bike for longer before they need to recharge.
Extended lifespan
Ultimately, ebikes are bicycles equipped with an electric motor to assist the rider when pedaling. The extra power they provide represents their main benefit, but it also subjects them to greater wear and tear, affecting many of the components and leading to durability issues.
Manufacturers will focus more on designing sturdier and more robust ebike parts, that will last longer. This will ensure greater longevity of their products, even in extreme use conditions. So, you won’t have to worry about constant repairs and having your ebike serviced all the time.
All in all, ebikes have a pretty good chance at transforming the urban landscape, but only time - and technology - can tell if this projection will turn into a reality or not.
