E-Bike Resources

Electric bicycles, or E-Bikes, are the fastest-growing segment of the cycling industry. Advancements in technology and a corresponding reduction in cost have made them more appealing to public safety agencies and a more effective means of fulfilling their missions. The below links are provided to assist public safety agencies with useful, reputable, reliable, and neutral sources of information on E-Bikes.

IPMBA's Position Statement on the Use of E-Bikes by Public Safety Cyclists, August 2020

IPMBA E-Bike Training Module Overview, by IPMBA, 2020

Training & Use Considerations for Duty Electric Bicycles, by Clint Sandusky, September 2021

IPMBA’s News/Blogs “Electric Bike” search (http://ipmba.org): a specific and dedicated resource for public safety cyclists. 

How to Select a Public Safety Electric Bicycle:  provides practical advice for selecting an e-Bike suitable for public safety use and makes basic recommendations for equipment and training.  

Selling E-Bikes to Law Enforcement, Part I and Part II, by Clint Sandusky, December 2022, provides advice to retailers on how to meet the e-Bike needs of public safety personnel. 

American Bicycling Education Association (CyclingSavvy): E-Bike Resource Page (including E-Bike Safety Handout) & article about High-Speed Cycling

Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute's Helmet Information for e-Bike Users and e-Bike Helmet Laws. 

Canadian Electric Bicycle Association:  founded to unite consumers, retailers, distributors and electric bike interests; integrate all provinces with respect to e-bikes; provide educational resources; and encourage the use of electric bikes across Canada.  Also offers e-bike technician certification.

EBicycles: a free online resource for learning more about electric bicycles with the goal of helping beginners and experts make better decisions about purchases, modifications, and safety.

E-Bike:  A Guide to E-Bike Models, Technology & Riding Essentials, by Martin Haussermann and published by VeloPress.  From features, benefits, pros and cons, and the best ways to take advantage of motor-assisted cycling, E-Bike shows how to get the best bike for you and how your new e-bike will improve your cycling.

E-Bike Safety. A review of Empirical European and North American Studies: This 2019 white paper, prepared for PeopleforBikes, will review and synthesize the recent and emerging research on e-bike safety to explore existing safety evidence that shows the differences in e-bike safety outcomes compared to bicycles, such that differential treatments (e.g., regulations and insurance) are justified or not. This work will also explore the published evidence on differences between the two predominant classes of e-bikes, Class 1 e-bikes and Class 3 e-bikes.

E-Mountainbike Magazine:  website and digital magazine based in Germany featuring product tests and reviews, buyer’s guides, educational articles, a travel blog, skills primers, and the Design and Innovation Award.

Electric Bike Action: is a website and print magazine published by Hi-Torque Publications and dedicated to the sport and industry of electric bicycles and motorcycles.  Content includes news, reviews, “how to” guides, and articles covering all aspects of electric bicycles, including care and maintenance. 

Electric Bike Blog: contains such resources as a Buyer’s Guide, product reviews, benefits, travelogues, and “techie stuff”. 

Electric Bike Planet: riding advice, information about bicycle characteristics, US and UK e-Bike laws. 

Electric Bike Report: strives to create a central resource for e-bike information, including news, reviews, guides, riding and maintenance tips, job listings, and events. 

Electric Bike Review:  features reviews of a wide variety of e-bikes, a comparison tool, and a discussion forum. 

Electric Mountain Bike Network: is dedicated to creating a global community of electric mountain bike riders.  Their extensive library of “How To” videos includes such topics as equipment selection, skill development, maintenance, with the goal of helping riders maximize their eMTB experience. 

Gears, Gadgets and Gizmos Electric Bike Resources:  has FAQs, reviews, travel advice, riding tips, maintenance guides, and more.

National Fire Protection Association:  offers safety tips for using e-Bikes and reducing the risk of fires caused by faulty batteries and poor charging practices.  

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center:  The PBIC’s mission is to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. The PBIC develops and shares resources vital to advancing mobility, access, equity, and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

PeopleForBikes: offers a state-by-state guide to e-bike laws as well as research and statistics, links to rides and routes, and information for riders, advocates, retailers, and land managers.