E-Bikes are changing the way we ride

9/30/2026

For this month’s Cars in the City column, I am trading four wheels for two and taking a look at the growing popularity of e-bikes.

An e-bike is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor and rechargeable battery. The motor provides assistance while you pedal, making it easier to travel longer distances or tackle hills. Electric bikes are increasingly common on bike trails, sidewalks and streets, sharing the space with traditional bicyclists and pedestrians.

As a traditional road-bike cyclist, I have heard fellow bicyclists say riding an e-bike is “cheating.” So, I decided to take one for a spin and quickly discovered there are some significant differences.

For starters, an e-bike is heavier and bulkier than a traditional bicycle. The Mokwheel Asphalt ($1,499) I tested was a step-through model, meaning you do not have to swing your leg over the seat. Instead, you simply step through the open frame, which does not have a center bar. These frames were once commonly referred to as “girl” bikes, while bicycles with a top bar were called “boy” bikes.

The controller is located on the handlebar and controls the speed. The thumb throttle is particularly touchy. A slight movement can send the bike jerking forward quickly.

Turning corners also takes some getting used to. Because of the larger frame, e-bikes require wider turns. Think of the difference between turning a Honda Civic and maneuvering a Dodge Ram.

Slowing down or stopping is not as simple as applying the brakes or taking your hand off the controller. A gradual slowdown is necessary. But if you are traveling too slowly and are not pedaling, the bike can simply stop.

A typical e-bike battery lasts 35 to 80 miles, depending on how much power is used. The bikes can weigh 40 to 70 pounds, which can make loading one into a vehicle a challenge.

Todd Wilson of EZip-N-Zoom says the biggest consumers of e-bikes are middle-aged people who want to continue exercising but need a little boost.

But it is not just adults who have embraced e-bikes. Elementary through high school-age kids enjoy the freedom of traveling quickly without having to work quite as hard.

That popularity has created some friction. Walkers, bicyclists and motorists across the Des Moines metro frequently complain about e-bikes speeding past them or traveling in groups along streets. Cities are also working to establish or update ordinances governing e-bikes and other motorized devices.

Under Iowa’s low-speed electric bicycle law, motors must be less than 750 watts. Most e-bikes fall in the 350- to 500-watt range. Riders of any age can operate them, and they can be ridden on bike paths, bike lanes and streets. They are limited to 20 mph, and riders must follow the same rules as other bicyclists.

“It’s considered a personal conveyance device, or PCD,” Wilson said. “It’s the same as any pedestrian walking down the street or sidewalk.”

On the flip side, bikes capable of traveling faster than 20 mph cannot legally be operated on sidewalks. Some riders have installed two motors or modified their bikes, pushing them beyond 1,000 watts and outside the state’s low-speed e-bike classification.

Wilson has even had a customer bring in an e-bike capable of reaching 80 mph.

“There’s no way this could be legal. State code doesn’t have a way to classify e-motorcycles versus e-bikes. That’s the problem,” he said.

Despite the challenges, the benefits of e-bikes are easy to see. They provide an alternative to gas-powered vehicles, require relatively little maintenance, are easier to park and can get you where you are going faster than walking. With pedal assist, riders still get exercise while enjoying the fresh air.

E-bikes are here to stay. They are sharing our trails and roads, changing the way people get around and, perhaps most importantly, proving that sometimes cheating can be a lot of fun. ♦

Jackie Wilson has written hundreds of articles for CITYVIEW and the Iowa Living magazines. She covers ordinary people living extraordinary lives.