E-bikes are changing the landscape of cycling—with a little assistance, of course.
This story was originally published in the June 2021 issue of Wonderful West Virginia.
written by Clay Abney
photographs courtesy of Snowshoe Mountain
I once was a cycling purist.
I grew up riding bikes and have been riding traditional road and mountain bikes for over 40 years. I’ve even competed in bike races. And as new ebike technology began emerging almost a decade ago, I resisted the change because I actually enjoyed the struggle that came with cranking through the gears as I climbed each incline. I knew my reward at the top would be a brief and exhilarating downhill experience.
Prior to the pandemic, I traveled in Europe and spent a few days mountain biking in the Austrian Alps. My guide convinced me to trade in my manual steed for an afternoon on an electric bike, and I reluctantly complied. My guide was a purist, too, but also loved sharing his ebike enthusiasm with the captive audiences on his tours. He explained that e-bikes allowed himself and his wife to share cycling adventures together that would traditionally be solo experiences.
After a morning on a regular mountain bike and the afternoon on an ebike, I had a revelation and recognized the allure. I rode twice as far with the extra assistance and still felt energized, and was also still physically challenged. And while I haven’t traded in my traditional bikes just yet, I have delighted in subsequent opportunities to share rides on power-bikes with friends and family.
Challenging Terrain, Meet Ebike
The daunting hills of West Virginia might once have deterred bike lovers, but they’re becoming increasingly accessible thanks to the ebike. The bikes have a variety of names: pedal-assisted bikes, power-assisted bikes, electric bikes, pedelec, and power bikes. But aside from the added electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery, these bikes are designed the same way as their non-electric counterparts—meaning it’s pretty easy for riders to transition from one model to another.
While traditional bikes require that the rider turns the pedals at varying gear settings depending on terrain, e-bikes assist with this effort in that, when the rider turns the pedal, the electric motor helps propel the bike forward. Broadly, e-bikes and traditional bikes look similar, function the same way, and have similar components. The biggest difference lies in the fact that ebike riders must recharge their bike batteries, while traditional bike riders must literally recharge themselves between rides.
Batteries can be external or integrated into the frames of the bikes. And while the integrated batteries can be more streamlined, the externally mounted versions are easier to charge and replace. Most e-bikes also come with multiple pedal-assist levels that allow the user to prolong the battery life for longer rides with the option for extra speed when needed.
And while e-bikes do reduce the effort needed to create forward momentum, the motor is not doing all of the work, at least, not in the pedal-assist class bikes. In contrast to electric motorcycles, e-bikes have pedals and have limits to their maximum assisted speeds. All classes of ebike limit the motor’s power to 1 horsepower, and they’re generally classified into one of the following categories. Their class determines their usage.
Class 1
For Class 1 e-bikes, the electric motor only works when the rider is pedaling. These bikes have no throttle and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph. They are generally allowed on bike paths and bike lanes that also allow traditional bikes. Additionally, these bikes are typically the most affordable and most widely available.
Class 2
These e-bikes are throttle assisted but still have a maximum speed of 20 mph. You don’t have to pedal the bike—though you can—to engage the motor.
Class 3
Like Class 1, these e-bikes are pedal-assist only—no throttle—but have a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph.
Riding Opportunities Abound
Growing up in Chesapeake, Virginia, Kyle Fields never had the money to get into mountain biking. “I grew up riding beach cruisers,” Fields says. That all changed when Fields started working at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
“I began working during the winter ski season and then worked on the Outer Banks during the off-season,” Fields says. He rode his first ebike at the resort as part of its off-season offerings. Today, Fields takes guests on ebike-guided rides and serves as the resort’s
outdoor adventure supervisor. Ebike exploring has evolved into a year-round opportunity, Fields says, with plenty of ground to cover in Pocahontas County and beyond.
When it comes to riding electric bikes in West Virginia and across the country, one of the best kinds of trail networks are rail-trails—and the state has more than 350 miles of converted line. The laws governing this series of trails vary as well. According to Mark Wylie, a district administrator for West Virginia State Parks, “e-bikes are permitted on state rail-trails including the Greenbrier River Trail, the North Bend Rail Trail, and the Elk River Trail.” With regard to the other rail-trails, it’s best to check with the local governing agency or group to determine viability of use, as laws and regulations are subject to change.
As far as riding them in state parks, Class 1 e-bikes are the only option. “Class 2 and class 3 e-bikes are prohibited,” Wylie says. You can also explore the 11,000 acres of ridable terrain at Snowshoe Mountain Resort on your own or by joining one of Fields’ tours. “All of our bikes are class 1, and it’s a great way to experience the trail network here on the mountain,” he says.
Other Things to Consider
With the ebike’s increase in popularity, there’s a good chance you’ll have to wait a few months on any customized bike purchases. It might be worth it. Manufacturers have created a multitude of options, like e-bikes made specifically for roads, mountains, touring, toting cargo, folding models, and even tandem options.
And if you think you’d like to buy your own, it’s important to find a bike that actually fits you. The best way to do that is to visit a bike shop where you can be professionally fitted for your bike. The visit is also a great opportunity to test ride several bikes before selecting one that feels best. And, when the bike needs serviced, you’ll have a local contact familiar with your make and model.
The laws might be limited right now, but they will eventually catch up with the technology. And if an ebike gets you out and riding, rest assured you’ll find plenty of places to ride in West Virginia. Whether for exercise, enjoyment, running errands, commuting, or any combination of reasons, e-bikes are here to stay, and their popularity and the presence of these multi-use bikes is only going to increase—after all, the best bike is the one that is ridden.