E-Bike Smart, a new electric bicycle rider safety education program created by PeopleForBikes, the League of American Bicyclists, and Bicycle Colorado, was launched to the public on August 30. Designed to help riders of all ages and experience levels learn best practices for safely and responsibly riding an e-bike, the program has already garnered widespread support from bike industry brands and advocacy groups across the country. 

Studies show that many e-bike riders are new to bicycling, making convenient and easy-to-understand guidance on responsible ownership and safe riding more important than ever. E-Bike Smart was created in partnership between experts in the bike industry and advocacy to offer clear, simple, and actionable steps anyone can take to increase their knowledge and confidence ahead of their next e-bike trip. 

The program contains best practices for many aspects of e-bike ownership, including the different classes of electric bicycles, how to charge and store your e-bike battery, and proper helmet fitting techniques. Once riders understand the basics of e-bike ownership, E-Bike Smart shares tips for safely and responsibly riding an e-bike, including signaling, lane position, collision awareness, etiquette for the road and trail, and the ABC Quick Check developed by the League, highlighting the key parts of your bicycle to check before heading out on a ride.

E-Bike Smart is supported by more than 20 brands and dozens of state and local advocacy organizations. The collaborative program is brand agnostic, allowing manufacturers and retailers to make the content their own and share it across their channels. 

As the U.S. bicycle industry's trade association, PeopleForBikes launched the E-Bike Safety Task Force, composed of industry members, bicycling advocates, and retailers, to help craft the program's curriculum to meet the needs of the diverse and growing audience of e-bike riders nationwide.

"The bicycle industry is all in on rider safety, and E-Bike Smart is a great way to help new and existing riders feel safe both on and off their e-bike," says Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. "The proliferation of e-bike purchase incentives at the state and local levels across the country points to the immense potential and growing recognition of the many benefits of e-bikes. As we continue working with our industry members and advocacy partners, we look forward to helping people ride safely and confidently."

As more people discover the joys of riding electric bicycles, communities across the country are grappling with best practices for rider safety and consumer education. This free and easily accessible program can help riders of all ages and abilities better understand how to best enjoy their e-bike.

The League of American Bicyclists is the national grassroots voice of people who bike and has been the leader in bicycling education for more than 50 years. Through a robust network of certified instructors across the country, 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 League is thrilled to collaborate with our industry and advocacy partners to empower people, whether new riders or experienced ones, with e-bike safety information and educational materials," says Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. "When more people ride bikes, life is better for everyone and we know e-bikes are enabling more people to go by bike. E-Bike Smart is designed to help more people focus on learning key skills and building confidence ahead of their first or next e-bike ride." 

Colorado has seen a massive increase in e-bike ridership with the success of Denver's e-bike purchase incentive program. Bicycle Colorado has been instrumental in the success of the program and in leading Colorado to be the first state in the nation to designate a statewide e-bike day (September 21). Recognizing the need for safety education to complement the rise of e-bike ridership across the state, Bicycle Colorado created an innovative educational program — SHIFT Driving — which complements the nationwide educational materials provided in E-Bike Smart.

"Communities thrive when bicycling is safe and accessible. It is so exciting to see all of the new faces finding biking through e-bikes, especially because e-bikes can help people replace short car trips and ride bikes more for fun," says Jace Davis, Lead Educator for Bicycle Colorado. "Bicycle Colorado and the Denver Streets Partnership know that preparation and support can help many of these new riders find ways to incorporate bicycling into their daily routines and we cannot wait to see the E-Bike Smart program positively impact lives in Colorado and beyond!"

PeopleForBikes Coalition members may sign on to support E-Bike Smart and distribute the educational materials at any time. If you represent an e-bike manufacturer or retailer interested in supporting the program, please reach out to PeopleForBikes Electric Bicycle Policy and Campaign Director Ash Lovell, Ph.D., at ash@peopleforbikes.org. E-Bike Smart's free online rider education course can be found at ebikesmart.org.

Thank you to the supporting brands:

Alta Cycling Group, LLC., Bend Bikes, Bird Rides, Bosch eBike Systems, Bulls Bikes USA, Diamondback, Feedback Sports, FOX Factory, Gazelle Bikes, Giant Group USA, IZIP, Lectric eBikes, Panasonic Automotive Systems of America, Pedego, Pivot Cycles, QuietKat, Redline Bicycles, Shimano, Specialized Bicycle Components, SRAM, Trek Bicycle Corporation, Urban Arrow, Velotric, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., and Yuba Bicycles. 

Thank you to the supporting advocacy organizations:

Alabama Bicycle Coalition (AlaBike), BAC Bicycle Advisory Committee, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, Bicycle Garage Indy, Bicycle Oven Company, Bike Cleveland, Bike California Bicycle Coalition, Bike Fitchburg, Inc., Bike Florida, BikeLoud PDX, BikePGH, Bike & Walk Montclair, BikeWalk North Carolina, Bike Walk Tennessee, Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists, Colorado Springs, Florida Bicycle Association, Georgia Bikes, Hawai'i Bicycling League, League of Michigan Bicyclists, Marin County Bicycle Coalition, MassBike, Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation, Napa County Bicycle Coalition, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition, Ohio Bicycle Federation, Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Pennsylvania Downtown Center, Ride Illinois, The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, The Street Trust, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, ZeroW.org.