BOULDER, COLO. (March 23, 2023) — PeopleForBikes and the League of American Bicyclists will launch a new electric bicycle rider-specific safety curriculum this summer. A first-of-its-kind campaign, the curriculum will help new and experienced riders understand best practices specific to riding an e-bike.
As electric bicycle sales continue to outpace all other types of electric vehicles, more Americans are enjoying the benefits of this environmentally and health-friendly mode of transportation. This recent growth in electric bicycle ridership highlights the need for safe, convenient, and easy-to-understand guidance on safe riding and responsible ownership, particularly for riders who may be returning to or are new to bicycling.
The e-bike rider education curriculum, which will launch in July 2023, was created in partnership by the bike industry and bicycling advocates and will offer clear, simple, and actionable steps anyone can take to increase their knowledge and confidence ahead of their next e-bike trip.
"The League is thrilled to be able to expand our cycling education curriculum to include tips and lessons tailored to meet the needs of people riding e-bikes," said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. "By empowering more people to be able to ride an e-bike safely and skillfully, we can help more communities realize the benefits of a nation in which more people ride bikes. We're grateful to PeopleForBikes for their partnership on this important initiative."
The League of American Bicyclists is the grassroots voice of people who bike and has been the leader in cycling education for more than 50 years. Through a robust national network of certified instructors, the League reaches hundreds of thousands of adults and youth every year, providing the skills and tools to bike more often and more confidently.
The curriculum, taught as a series of instructional videos and quizzes, will feature guidance on responsible e-bike ownership, including an overview of the three-class model for electric bicycles, battery safety, how to prepare for your first ride, and how to properly store e-bikes. The riding curriculum will center around the League’s Smart Cycling program and help people learn how to ride safely and confidently, including roadway positioning, sharing the trail, riding predictably, and other safety measures when riding an e-bike.
“As more Americans realize the joy and value that electric bicycles can bring into their lives, it’s critical for industry and advocates to come together and welcome this growing wave of participation. Our e-bike rider safety curriculum offers educators and riders alike best practices to keep everyone informed, prepared, and safe on the road,” said PeopleForBikes President and CEO Jenn Dice. “We couldn’t do this work without the League of American Bicyclists, and their education instruction expertise, and look forward to ensuring a safer future for all riders.”
As the U.S. bicycle industry’s trade association, PeopleForBikes developed the E-Bike Safety Task Force, composed of industry members, bicycling advocates, and retailers, to help craft the content of the curriculum to meet the needs of a diverse and growing audience of riders.
As more Americans, who may otherwise not ride a bicycle, choose e-bikes to get around, some communities have expressed frustration with overcrowding on multi-use paths. Youth ridership of electric bicycles presents another area of growing concern for parents and policymakers, as young people may lack the adequate rider safety and etiquette training necessary to operate a new e-bike. The League of American Bicyclists and PeopleForBikes are partnering on this important initiative to ensure Americans are comfortable riding their electric bicycles in any environment and at all ages. This collaborative program will be brand agnostic, allowing manufacturers and retailers to make the content their own and share across their channels.
PeopleForBikes Coalition members may sign on to support and distribute the educational materials in July. If you represent an e-bike manufacturer interested in learning more about the curriculum, please reach out to PeopleForBikes Electric Bicycle Policy and Campaign Director Ash Lovell, Ph.D., at ash@peopleforbikes.org.
About PeopleForBikes
PeopleForBikes is making biking better for everyone by uniting millions of Americans, thousands of businesses, and hundreds of communities to make every bike ride safer, more accessible, and more fun. The PeopleForBikes Coalition has more than 325 supplier members and 1.4 million supporters in its grassroots network. When people ride bikes, great things happen. Join us at PeopleForBikes.org.
About the League of American Bicyclists
Since 1880, the League of American Bicyclists has been people-powered, with a goal to make bicycling safer and easier as a means of transportation and recreation. Today, the League continues to improve lives and strengthen communities through bicycling. We are more than 200,0000 members and supporters strong with more than 1,000 state and local advocacy groups and bike clubs as well as thousands of businesses, universities, and communities together leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.
